Optimizing Windows 7 Pocket Consultant (It Professional)

Portable and precise, this pocket-sized guide delivers ready answers for optimizing the performance of your Windows 7-based PC. Zero in on core tuning, customization, and troubleshooting tasks using quick-reference tables, instructions, and lists. Topics include system boot and startup, software and hardware, search and indexing, system health, and personalizing the interface. You’ll get the focused information you need to solve problems and get the job done. Cover Page......Page 1 Copyright......Page 2 Contents Page......Page 3 How Is This Book Organized?......Page 9 Support & Feedback......Page 10 Stay in Touch......Page 11 Boosting Your Desktop IQ......Page 13 Optimizing Interface Performance......Page 14 Mastering Desktop Essentials......Page 16 Stretching the Desktop......Page 18 Making the Start Menu Work for You......Page 21 Customizing the Programs List......Page 22 Customizing the Important Folders and Tools List......Page 23 Putting the Taskbar Where You Want It......Page 24 Customizing Taskbar Appearance......Page 25 Pinning Programs to the Taskbar......Page 26 Using Flip Views and Jump Lists......Page 27 Customizing Basic Interfaces......Page 31 Personalizing Control Panel......Page 32 Fine-Tuning Control Prompts......Page 33 Creating an Alternate Control Panel View......Page 36 Optimizing Desktop Themes, Screen Savers, Backgrounds, and More......Page 37 Selecting and Tuning Themes......Page 38 Fine-Tuning Windows Aero Colors......Page 39 Customizing and Creating Your Own Desktop Backgrounds......Page 40 Choosing and Configuring Your Screen Saver......Page 43 Configuring and Creating Your System Sounds......Page 46 Customizing Your Mouse Pointers......Page 48 Saving Your Custom Themes and Creating Theme Packs......Page 49 Customizing Your Displays......Page 50 Customizing and Safeguarding Your User Account......Page 52 Changing and Creating Account Pictures......Page 53 Changing Your Account Type......Page 54 Creating, Storing, and Restoring Your Account Password......Page 55 Customizing Your Computer’s Firmware Interface......Page 57 Getting to Know Your Computer’s Firmware Interface......Page 58 Accessing and Setting Your Computer’s Firmware Interface......Page 59 Tracking and Configuring Power On and Resume......Page 62 Customizing Startup and Boot Configuration......Page 64 Fine-Tuning Startup and Recovery Settings......Page 65 Changing Your Computer’s Boot Configuration......Page 66 Performing an Advanced or Safe Mode Boot......Page 70 Customizing Boot Configuration with the BCD Editor......Page 72 Recovering from a Failed Resume......Page 75 Repairing a Computer to Enable Startup......Page 76 Exploring Your Computer in New Ways......Page 79 Address Bar Tips and Techniques......Page 80 Keyboard Tips and Techniques for Windows Explorer......Page 82 Fine-Tuning Folder Views......Page 84 Customizing Folder Options......Page 86 Windows Search Essentials......Page 90 Understanding Localized Searches......Page 91 Customizing Search Options......Page 92 Performing Advanced Searches with Filters......Page 94 Searching by Kind or Type of File......Page 97 Searching Using Date-Related Filters......Page 98 Searching Using Size-Related Filters......Page 101 Indexing Your Computer......Page 103 Including or Excluding Files by Type......Page 104 Resolving Indexing Problems......Page 106 Understanding and Tweaking User Account Control......Page 107 Understanding Autorun and Tweaking AutoPlay......Page 111 How Windows Installer and Program Compatibility Work......Page 113 How 64-Bit Software Works......Page 114 Installing and Running Your Software......Page 116 Making MS-DOS and 16-Bit Software Work......Page 118 Controlling Software Availability......Page 119 Resolving Compatibility Issues......Page 121 Choosing Default Programs......Page 124 Reconfiguring, Repairing, and Uninstalling Software......Page 127 Viewing and Managing Running Programs......Page 128 Tracking Relative Performance......Page 131 Understanding Your Computer’s Relative Performance Levels......Page 132 Improving Your Computer’s Relative Performance Levels......Page 135 Tracking Applications and Processes......Page 138 Tracking Performance and Resource Usage......Page 140 Event Logging and Viewing......Page 143 Digging into the Event Logs......Page 144 Resolving Performance Issues with the Logs......Page 145 Resolving Failures and Reliability Issues......Page 147 Checking for Problems That Are Affecting Performance......Page 148 Analyzing Reliability Issues That Are Affecting Performance......Page 150 Diagnosing and Resolving Problems with Troubleshooters......Page 153 Examining Resource Usage in Detail......Page 156 Logging Performance Data......Page 158 Choosing Counters to Monitor......Page 161 Identifying Performance Bottlenecks......Page 163 Selecting and Using Power Plans......Page 167 Creating and Optimizing Power Plans......Page 173 Resolving Power Problems That Are Affecting Performance......Page 174 Maintaining Performance with Updates......Page 176 Fine-Tuning Automatic Updates......Page 177 Resolving Update Problems......Page 178 Disabling Unnecessary Services and Features......Page 179 Fine-Tuning Virtual Memory......Page 180 Fine-Tuning Data Execution Prevention......Page 182 Enhancing Performance with ReadyBoost......Page 183 Cleaning Up Your Disk Drives......Page 185 Checking Your Disks for Errors......Page 186 Optimizing Disk Performance......Page 188 Firmware Interface Options......Page 191 Index......Page 197 About the Author......Page 207 Survey Page......Page 208