Ten Top Tweaks for Windows Vista

Ed Bott strikes again! It seems that every time I get side-tracked, Ed will pop up a great series of helpful topics that are a must read for anyone using Windows Vista. He recently completed a five-part series on "Fixing Windows Vista" (bookmarked in the Features and Tutorials section of Windows Vista Bookmarks).

Today, Ed published the first part of 10 top tweaks for Windows Vista, described by Ed as follows:

1. Get installed programs organized and up-to-date

The default format for the list of installed programs in Control Panel is a dull, gray list that matches its Windows XP predecessor. But with a few clicks, you can add a wealth of useful information (like current version numbers for every program in the list) and group entries in ways that are more useful.

2. Tweak the taskbar and desktop

The first thing I do with every new Windows system I set up is to make the taskbar taller. I also make desktop clutter vanish completely without losing access to files and shortcuts on the desktop. Here’s how.

3. Set up a smart, automated backup system

How often should you have to reinstall Windows? The correct answer is “Never.” Using built-in backup tools that are included with some Vista editions, you can save a system image that can be restored from disk – complete with drivers and your installed programs - in a fraction of the time it would take to reinstall.

4. Get fast access to common tasks

I constantly hear that some tasks in Windows Vista take too long, especially those that have to do with networking. Want one-click access to network settings and other useful tasks, complete with automatic keyboard shortcuts? Follow the step-by-step instructions.

5. Fine-tune Windows Explorer

Vista’s version of Windows Explorer is a radical reworking of the XP-style Explorer you know and probably don’t love. With three tweaks and a slightly adjusted mindset (hint: think of a modern airline’s hub-and-spoke model), you’ll find most file-management tasks significantly easier.

The first group has been bookmarked in the Features and Tutorials section of Windows Vista Bookmarks and I'll add the second group next week. In the meantime, go directly to the source.

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