Windows 7 Tips And Tricks

In order to become a bona-fide expert, it’s really useful to know the coolest Windows 7 tips and tricks. After the generally loathed Windows Vista, Microsoft has, by most accounts, righted the ship with their latest operating system. Though it looks pretty similar to previous incarnations, Windows 7 clearly has a lot more going on under the hood. Perhaps most importantly, it gives the average Windows 7 user much more control over the minute details of everyday computing.

1. Use Windows Flip 3D. Though not entirely unique among operating systems, this Windows 7 feature is really cool. By pressing the Windows button and the Tab button on your keyboard at the same time, you can see all the windows you have open in one interactive graphic. To switch quickly between different windows, press tab again until you find the window you want, and then release the Windows key. Though it’s probably not all that much faster than pointing and clicking on your preferred window, it is without a doubt way more fun to do.
2. Zoom in and out. In past Windows versions, this could only be done using the built-in picture builder. But with Windows 7, you can zoom in on and out of on-screen content no matter what programs you’re running. To perform the operation, simply hold down the Windows key and press the addition (+) key. This will zoom in on content by 200 percent. To zoom out, meanwhile just use the Windows and minus (-) keys in tandem.
3. Get a battery usage report. With the rise of laptops as all purpose computers, battery is a chief concern among many Windows 7 users. With this tip, you can have Windows 7 give you a report about how your computer’s battery is being used, so you can in turn extend its life. To create the report, press the start menu, press “cmd” in the search bar, and then type “powercfg – energy” into the black text box that appears. After a minute or two, your battery information will appear on your hard drive.
4. Automatically arrange your desktop. Nothing says “Windows user” more than a desktop full of cluttered, messy icons. After a certain point of clutter, it just becomes too much trouble to clean your desktop up manually. But this Windows 7 tip can eliminate the painfully tedious process of tidying up your desktop. Just exit any running programs, and press and hold the “f5” button. Windows 7 will then automatically arrange the many icons on your desktop by title, saving you loads of time and clicks.