Windows Productivity Tricks

Five Windows Productivity Tricks You Didn’t Know
Having a powerful operating system is a bit like having digital cable: despite having over 500 channels, most viewers watch the same ten channels. Windows 7 has an extensive array of features designed to add functionality and boost productivity that by and large go unused by most workers. Here are five productivity tricks that will leave you feeling like an IT wizard.

Keyboard Shortcuts
The first generations of PC users needed to know DOS to effectively navigate their computer’s operating system. Then the mouse came along and only the most basic of keystrokes were commonly used. While using a mouse is user friendly, IT techs will tell you one of the best ways to increase productivity is to navigate using the keyboard instead of the mouse. Some key combinations completely replace the mouse; others reduce the number of clicks it takes to perform a function. Added up, they can save significant time over the course of every work day.

For example:
Win+Up arrow: Maximizes the active window
Win+Down arrow: Minimizes the window
Win+Left arrow: Locks the current window to the left side of the monitor
Win+Right arrow: Locks the current window to the right side of the monitor
Win+T: Focuses and scrolls through items on the taskbar.
Win+P: Adjusts presentation settings for your display
Win+(+/-): Zooms in/out
Shift+Click a taskbar item: Opens a new launch of that application
There are dozens of short cuts that you can browse at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449.

Problem Steps Recorder
The only thing more frustrating than having a computer issue is trying to explain the problem to a technician, co-worker, or family friend who is the designated Mr. Fix-it.  Windows 7 has a new function that can save time and lower blood pressure. The Problem Steps Recorder is a feature that records every action performed on your computer.

Access the Problem Steps Recorder by clicking the Start button or press the Windows key on the keyboard to bring up the Start menu.

1. Type PSR and press Enter. A recording interface appears in the upper left quadrant of your monitor.

2. Click Start Record then go about your work.

The application will record every keystroke, every mouse click as well as record screen grabs. When finished, it saves the data in a zip file that you can send to the office IT tech.
The Problem Steps Recorder is simple to access and even simpler to use, since all you need to do is do your work as normal. But the real value is that it saves significant time you would otherwise be trying to explain or troubleshoot your computer issue. The less time you have to be on the phone with a technician, the more productive your work day will be.

Create a Virtual Hard Drive
Windows 7 can create a virtual hard drive (VHD) that can be used like a regular drive. You can drag and drop files, install programs, and share files with others.
To create a virtual hard drive follow these steps:

1. Press Start or the Windows key

2. Type diskmgmt.msc when the start menu window opens.

3. Click the Action tab

4. Select Create VHD

Once set up you can use this virtual disk just like any other hard drive.

Calculate More
Windows 7 calculator has gotten a massive make-over. While it still adds and subtracts, it also now has a range of functionality such as turning into a scientific, conversion, or programmer calculator. Now instead of having to look up conversion formulas for length, weight, volume, or dates, it’s all on the calculator.

Recover locked Applications
It you spend any significant length of time working on a computer, you’ve experienced the frustration of having a program lock up. If that program was one of the Office programs and the result was losing some work, you know how valuable a tool that could recover that lost work would be. Windows 7 includes a feature that may be able to get your program working again without any loss of data.

When the lockup occurs:

• Click Start or press the Windows key on your keyboard

• Type RESMON when the start menu window opens.

• Clicking the RESMON.EXE link opens the Resource Monitor opens.

On the right hand side is the CPU panel. Your frozen application/process should be there, framed in red.

• Right click on your process

• Select Analyze Wait Chain.

If there are two or more processes in the list, the bottom or lowest process is causing your application freeze. Make sure it’s not a critical component. If it’s not, save any work in other open applications.

• Check the box next to the red-framed process

• Click End Process, and your locked-up program will usually be freed.