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17 Obscure Windows Tools and Tricks Too Powerful to Overlook
Alam nyo bang merong mga tools at tricks na built-in lang sa Windows..? Ung iba siguro alam nyo na, pero sigurado akong ung iba hindi nyo pa alam...Para malaman itong lahat, paki basa nalang sa baba at tuklasin ang mga ito...
by Brad Chacos @BradChacos Jun 26, 2014 3:00 AM, PC World
Peering deep inside Windows
The beauty of Windows lies in its flexibility and depth. In fact, Windows is so deep and flexible that many of us never touch its more powerful tools, whether from unawareness or sheer forgetfulness. But beneath Internet Explorer and the Start button hides a universe of tools and tricks that are positively brimming with potential.
With that in mind, lets brush the cobwebs off some classic Windows power tips that youre likely to have forgotten about. Dig in, enjoy, and dont forget to bookmark this article. You dont want these tips and tricks to fade from memory once again.
GodMode
Lets get the party started by dragging some of Windows hidden customization options into the light. GodMode is a developer tool that collates the operating systems far-flung customization options into a single location, an Easter Egg that makes it far easier to exert your will over Windows. Update: Important warning: Windows Vista users should not use GodMode, as it may immediately make your system unstable.
Just right-click the Windows desktop and select New > Folder. Name it GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} -you can actually switch out "GodMode" for any other name, but the period and all the jumble afterwards have to be exact. If you did it right, the folder icon will switch to the Control Panel icon. Start exploring, and dive into this tutorial for even deeper GodMode tricks. (And yes, it works with the Windows 10 Preview too.)
Problem Steps Recorder
This little-known tool creates an HTML slideshow of your actions, recording your moves step-by-step so that you can show your IT admin or resident PC geek exactly what youre doing when you run into a problem. Its a huge boon during especially tricky troubleshooting situations.
To open the Problem Steps Recorder, simply search for psr in the Windows 7 Start menu or Windows 8s Start screen. The tool should pop right up and is very straightforward to use.
Windows Reliability Monitor
Your PC may be behaving badly, even if it doesnt appear so outwardly. But fear not: Windows Reliability Monitor is a tattle-tale who isnt afraid to spill the beans. It shows all problems that Windows has encountered in a chronological chart, which you can sort and click through for more information on a day-by-day and case-by-case basis. The tools especially handy while youre tracking down trouble programs that could be the cause of weird crashes.
To open the Reliability Monitor, open the Control Panel and head to System and Security > Review your computers status and resolve issues (under Action Center) > Maintenance > View reliability history (under "Check for solutions to problem reports"). Presto!
Get a power efficiency report
Windows can give you a detailed report on your laptops power efficiency, if you know where to look for it. Search for Command Prompt via the Start menu (Win7) or Start screen (Win8), then right-click on the Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator. Then enter powercfg -energy -output FolderEnergy_Report.html into the Command Prompt, replacing "Folder" with a file path to the folder of your choice.
Windows will analyze things for a while, then spit out the Energy Report in your desired location, which youll be able to read in a browser. It can be a bit technical, but it also includes suggestions for optimizing your notebooks power performance.
Shake and shrink
Heres a fun yet handy trick: Click and hold the title bar of the program youre working in, then shake it back and forth rapidly. All other open windows will minimize to the task bar, leaving your desktop nice and clutter-free. Sure, you can do the same by pressing Windows key + Home, but wheres the fun in that?
Encrypt your files
Encrypting your data is a great way to make sure your files stay safe even if your PC is stolen or hacked. Microsofts BitLocker-built into Windows Vista or 7 Ultimate, Windows Vista or 7 Enterprise, and Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise-can encrypt your entire drive.
BitLocker has some specialized hardware requirements as well as some notable caveats to be aware of, however-most notably, you dont want to lose the recovery key that lets you decrypt all your data. You can read all about those crucial tidbits and how to set up BitLocker in PCWorlds beginners guide to BitLocker. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2308725/a-beginners-guide-to-bitlocker-windows-built-in-encryption-tool.html)
Calibrate your display
Third-party display calibration software can cost an arm and a leg, but fortunately, Windows includes a calibration tool that can meet the demands of all but the most demanding graphics professionals. Its tucked into a corner of the Control Panel that doesnt see action often.
Head into the Control Panel again, then select Display. You want the Calibrate color option in the left-hand options pane. Diving into the tool is beyond the scope of this article, but you can find full step-by-step details on using Windows calibration tool in this guide. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/241957/how_to_calibrate_your_monitor.html?page=3)
Make Windows play nice with high-DPI displays
Super-high-resolution displays are becoming the norm these days, with a slew of laptops, tablets, and monitors packing eye candy far in excess of the common 1080p resolution. Unfortunately, Windows still suffers from scaling issues with pixel-packed displays, often making text appear small or blurry.
The easiest way to fix this is by tinkering with Windows global scaling options, which you can find by opening the Control Panel and heading to Display > Custom Sizing Options. Here, you can change scaling by a percentage or via a tool that resembles a ruler. The Display page also offers scaling options for text alone. You may need to do more manual tinkering in individual programs to get everything just right-this article can help. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2098586/how-to-make-the-windows-desktop-look-good-on-high-dpi-displays.html)
Schedule tasks to automate your digital life
Task Scheduler does exactly what youd think: It helps you set schedules for running specific Windows applications, such as backups or a maintenance tool like CCleaner. Task Scheduler also lets you create complex scripts of tasks, which can run in order and at particular times. You can find it by searching for Task Scheduler via the Start menu or Windows 8 Start screen, then selecting Schedule tasks when the option appears.
Be warned: This powerful tool is designed for power users, complete with an obscure interface. You can get a feel for creating basic tasks by reading up on the Check Disk and Disk Cleanup sections of this task automation guide, (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2158786/how-to-automate-basic-pc-maintenance-tasks.html) while this superb How-to Geek piece (http://www.howtogeek.com/123393/how-to-automatically-run-programs-and-set-reminders-with-the-windows-task-scheduler/) by frequent PCWorld contributor Chris Hoffman really delves into nitty-gritty advanced tasks.
CONTINUED ON NEXT POST.....
Alam nyo bang merong mga tools at tricks na built-in lang sa Windows..? Ung iba siguro alam nyo na, pero sigurado akong ung iba hindi nyo pa alam...Para malaman itong lahat, paki basa nalang sa baba at tuklasin ang mga ito...
by Brad Chacos @BradChacos Jun 26, 2014 3:00 AM, PC World
Peering deep inside Windows
The beauty of Windows lies in its flexibility and depth. In fact, Windows is so deep and flexible that many of us never touch its more powerful tools, whether from unawareness or sheer forgetfulness. But beneath Internet Explorer and the Start button hides a universe of tools and tricks that are positively brimming with potential.
With that in mind, lets brush the cobwebs off some classic Windows power tips that youre likely to have forgotten about. Dig in, enjoy, and dont forget to bookmark this article. You dont want these tips and tricks to fade from memory once again.
GodMode
Lets get the party started by dragging some of Windows hidden customization options into the light. GodMode is a developer tool that collates the operating systems far-flung customization options into a single location, an Easter Egg that makes it far easier to exert your will over Windows. Update: Important warning: Windows Vista users should not use GodMode, as it may immediately make your system unstable.
Just right-click the Windows desktop and select New > Folder. Name it GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} -you can actually switch out "GodMode" for any other name, but the period and all the jumble afterwards have to be exact. If you did it right, the folder icon will switch to the Control Panel icon. Start exploring, and dive into this tutorial for even deeper GodMode tricks. (And yes, it works with the Windows 10 Preview too.)
Problem Steps Recorder
This little-known tool creates an HTML slideshow of your actions, recording your moves step-by-step so that you can show your IT admin or resident PC geek exactly what youre doing when you run into a problem. Its a huge boon during especially tricky troubleshooting situations.
To open the Problem Steps Recorder, simply search for psr in the Windows 7 Start menu or Windows 8s Start screen. The tool should pop right up and is very straightforward to use.
Windows Reliability Monitor
Your PC may be behaving badly, even if it doesnt appear so outwardly. But fear not: Windows Reliability Monitor is a tattle-tale who isnt afraid to spill the beans. It shows all problems that Windows has encountered in a chronological chart, which you can sort and click through for more information on a day-by-day and case-by-case basis. The tools especially handy while youre tracking down trouble programs that could be the cause of weird crashes.
To open the Reliability Monitor, open the Control Panel and head to System and Security > Review your computers status and resolve issues (under Action Center) > Maintenance > View reliability history (under "Check for solutions to problem reports"). Presto!
Get a power efficiency report
Windows can give you a detailed report on your laptops power efficiency, if you know where to look for it. Search for Command Prompt via the Start menu (Win7) or Start screen (Win8), then right-click on the Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator. Then enter powercfg -energy -output FolderEnergy_Report.html into the Command Prompt, replacing "Folder" with a file path to the folder of your choice.
Windows will analyze things for a while, then spit out the Energy Report in your desired location, which youll be able to read in a browser. It can be a bit technical, but it also includes suggestions for optimizing your notebooks power performance.
Shake and shrink
Heres a fun yet handy trick: Click and hold the title bar of the program youre working in, then shake it back and forth rapidly. All other open windows will minimize to the task bar, leaving your desktop nice and clutter-free. Sure, you can do the same by pressing Windows key + Home, but wheres the fun in that?
Encrypt your files
Encrypting your data is a great way to make sure your files stay safe even if your PC is stolen or hacked. Microsofts BitLocker-built into Windows Vista or 7 Ultimate, Windows Vista or 7 Enterprise, and Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise-can encrypt your entire drive.
BitLocker has some specialized hardware requirements as well as some notable caveats to be aware of, however-most notably, you dont want to lose the recovery key that lets you decrypt all your data. You can read all about those crucial tidbits and how to set up BitLocker in PCWorlds beginners guide to BitLocker. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2308725/a-beginners-guide-to-bitlocker-windows-built-in-encryption-tool.html)
Calibrate your display
Third-party display calibration software can cost an arm and a leg, but fortunately, Windows includes a calibration tool that can meet the demands of all but the most demanding graphics professionals. Its tucked into a corner of the Control Panel that doesnt see action often.
Head into the Control Panel again, then select Display. You want the Calibrate color option in the left-hand options pane. Diving into the tool is beyond the scope of this article, but you can find full step-by-step details on using Windows calibration tool in this guide. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/241957/how_to_calibrate_your_monitor.html?page=3)
Make Windows play nice with high-DPI displays
Super-high-resolution displays are becoming the norm these days, with a slew of laptops, tablets, and monitors packing eye candy far in excess of the common 1080p resolution. Unfortunately, Windows still suffers from scaling issues with pixel-packed displays, often making text appear small or blurry.
The easiest way to fix this is by tinkering with Windows global scaling options, which you can find by opening the Control Panel and heading to Display > Custom Sizing Options. Here, you can change scaling by a percentage or via a tool that resembles a ruler. The Display page also offers scaling options for text alone. You may need to do more manual tinkering in individual programs to get everything just right-this article can help. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2098586/how-to-make-the-windows-desktop-look-good-on-high-dpi-displays.html)
Schedule tasks to automate your digital life
Task Scheduler does exactly what youd think: It helps you set schedules for running specific Windows applications, such as backups or a maintenance tool like CCleaner. Task Scheduler also lets you create complex scripts of tasks, which can run in order and at particular times. You can find it by searching for Task Scheduler via the Start menu or Windows 8 Start screen, then selecting Schedule tasks when the option appears.
Be warned: This powerful tool is designed for power users, complete with an obscure interface. You can get a feel for creating basic tasks by reading up on the Check Disk and Disk Cleanup sections of this task automation guide, (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2158786/how-to-automate-basic-pc-maintenance-tasks.html) while this superb How-to Geek piece (http://www.howtogeek.com/123393/how-to-automatically-run-programs-and-set-reminders-with-the-windows-task-scheduler/) by frequent PCWorld contributor Chris Hoffman really delves into nitty-gritty advanced tasks.
CONTINUED ON NEXT POST.....
