6 Useful Windows Tricks

1. Don't just maximize your windows—go full screen

When you need a really big window for viewing photos and videos, don't just maximize it: go full screen! This tip works great for viewing photos and videos at maximum size in Windows Explorer or Windows Media Player, utilizing screen space usually occupied by the header at the top of the screen and the taskbar at the bottom. Here’s how:
Open any photo in Windows Explorer, or open a photo or video clip in Windows Media Player. Do one of the following:

• In Windows 7 and Windows XP, click the F11 key at the top of your keyboard.

The photo or video image enlarges to its maximum size and the title bar and taskbar are hidden.

Viewing a photo in Windows Explorer standard view

To undo full-screen mode and restore the window to its normal view, press the Esc (Escape) key at the top of your keyboard

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2. Customize the Navigation pane

You can use the navigation pane (the left pane) to find files and folders and display links to frequently used folders and other items. You can also move or copy items to a destination in the navigation pane.
If you don't see the navigation pane on the left side of an open folder window, click Organize, point to Layout, and then click Navigation pane to display it.

To customize the navigation pane in Windows 7

1. In an open folder or library window, click Organize, and then click Folder and search options.
2. In the Folder Options dialog box, click the General tab, and then do one or both of the following:
   
   • To show all the folders on your computer in the navigation pane, including your personal folder, select the Show all folders check box, click Apply to see the change, and then click OK.
   • To automatically expand the navigation pane to the folder that's selected in the folder window, select the Automatically expand to current folder check box, and then click OK.

Customizing the navigation pane in Windows 7

More ways to customize your favorites in Windows 7

• To add a folder, a saved search, a library, or even a drive as a favorite, drag it to the Favorites section in the navigation pane. Note: You can’t add individual file to Favorites, but you can add them to any folder in Favorites.
• To change the order of favorites, drag a favorite to a new position in the list.
• To restore the default favorites in the navigation pane, right-click Favorites, and then click Restore Favorite Links.
• To view the folder where your favorites are stored, click Favorites in the navigation pane. Favorites are stored as shortcuts.
• To remove a favorite, right-click the favorite, and then click Remove. This removes the favorite from the navigation pane—it doesn't delete the files or folders that the shortcut points to.

The Favorites area of the navigation pane in Windows 7

Add folders and files in Windows Vista

In Windows Vista, you can add folders to Favorite Links in the navigation pane so that you can open them from any folder window at any time. To do this, first open the folder that contains the subfolder you want to add. Then simply drag its icon from the original folder to where you want it in the navigation pane. You can also click Folders at the bottom of the pane and drag a folder from the folder list up into the Favorite Links section of the pane. Note: You can’t add individual files to Favorite Links, but you can add them to any folder in Favorite Links.

Pictures folder in Windows

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3. Pin a program or items to the Windows 7 taskbar

You know what would make a great taskbar? One where you could pin your favorite applications or files so that you could open them quickly from any window at any time. Guess what? You can.
In Windows 7, you can also pin shortcuts for favorite or frequently used files, folders, and websites to the Jump Lists for each of those programs to the taskbar. Learn more about Jump Lists.
Pin a program to the taskbar
To pin a program shortcut to the taskbar, do one of the following:

• If the program is already running, right-click the program's button on the taskbar (or drag the button toward the desktop) to open the program’s Jump List, and then click Pin this program to taskbar.
• Or if the program isn't running, click Start, find the program’s icon, right-click the icon, and then click Pin to Taskbar.
• You can also pin a program by dragging the program's shortcut from the desktop or Start menu to the taskbar.

Pinning a program to the taskbar

Using Jump Lists in Windows 7

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4. Customize the Quick Launch Bar in Windows XP

In Windows XP, the customizable Quick Launch Bar also gives you convenient shortcuts to your favorite programs, folders, and files. The Quick Launch Bar remains accessible from most windows, so it’s a handy way to open the applications and files you use frequently.
If the Quick Launch Bar isn’t already visible to the right of the Start button , you’ll need to turn it on. To do that, right-click an open area of the taskbar. Hover your mouse pointer over Toolbars, then click Quick Launch. The Quick Launch Bar appears on your taskbar.

The Quick Launch Bar on the Windows XP taskbar

To add a program shortcut to the Quick Launch Bar, click the Start button, click All Programs, then click and drag the application you want to the Quick Launch Bar. Release the mouse button and the application’s icon appears in the Quick Launch Bar.
To add a folder or file shortcut to the Quick Launch Bar, open Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder, subfolder, or individual file you want, click and drag the folder or file you want to the Quick Launch Bar. Release the mouse button and the icon for the folder or file appears in the Quick Launch Bar.
To remove a shortcut from the Quick Launch Bar, right-click on the icon in the Quick Launch Bar of the application, folder, or file you want to remove and right-click it, click Delete, and then click Yes when asked if you’re sure you want to delete the shortcut. Note: Although the shortcut is removed from the Quick Launch Bar, the actual application, folder, or file has not been deleted from your computer.

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5. Arrange windows on your desktop

In Windows, you can arrange windows side by side, which can be especially helpful when comparing two documents or when moving files from one place to another. Note: If you’re using a nonstandard setup (such as dual monitors), the tricks below may not work as expected.

Windows 7

1. Drag the title bar of a window to the left or right side of the screen until an outline of the expanded window appears.
2. Release the mouse to expand the window.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with another window to arrange the windows side by side.

To return a window to its original size click the Maximize button in the window’s title bar and the window expands to full size.

The Maximize button

Learn more about managing multiple windows in Windows 7.
Tip: To snap an active window to the side of the desktop by using the keyboard, press Windows logo key +Left Arrow or Windows logo key +Right Arrow.

Viewing windows side by side in Windows

Windows Vista and Windows XP

In Windows Vista and Windows XP, it’s easy to display any two (or more) windows side by side on the desktop, all equally sized. Press and hold the Ctrl key and click two or more of the window buttons on the taskbar that you want to open. Release the Ctrl key, right-click, and then do one of the following:

• Windows Vista users, click Show Windows Side by Side.

Windows Vista, Show Windows Side by Side command.

Windows XP, Tile Vertically command.

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6. Organize your files into groups

Windows offers a variety of options for organizing folders and files in the ways that work best for you.

Windows 7

The easiest and most effective way to organize your stuff in Windows 7 is to use file arrangements in your libraries.
You can arrange files in the Documents library by author, for example, or you can arrange the Music library by artist if you're looking for an album or song by a particular band.
To arrange a library

1. In the taskbar, click the Windows Explorer button .
2. In the navigation pane (the left pane), click a library (such as Music).
3. In the library pane (above the file list), click the Arrange by menu, and then choose a property. For example, in the Music library, you can choose Artist to quickly arrange your music collection by artist.
   
   The "Arrange by" menu
4. When you arrange your files, Windows doesn't just put your files in a different order. Instead, they are presented in a completely different way. The arrangements work differently depending on which one you choose. For example, arranging your pictures by month puts your pictures into stacks, like this:
   
   Files arranged in "stacks"
   Arranging by day puts them into groups, like this:
   
   Files arranged in "groups"
   There are four default libraries in Windows 7, each with its own specific arrangements. You can also create new libraries and choose which arrangements are available for them.
   For more information about libraries, see Working with libraries.

Windows Vista

Open a folder that contains several different subfolders and file types. Right-click any empty space on the window's contents pane, point to Group By, and then click your grouping choice.

Windows Vista Group by command.

Windows XP

Open a folder that contains several different subfolders and file types. Right-click any empty space on the window's contents pane, point to Arrange Icons By, and then click Show in Groups. To arrange the window's contents, right-click again in any empty space on the window's contents pane, point to Arrange Icons By, and click Name, Size, Type, or Modified (the choices may vary depending on the contents).

Windows XP Arrange icons by command.

Microsoft releases fixed Office 2011 SP2 update

Microsoft has released a fixed version of its Service Pack 2 update for Office 2011. The update was originally on April 12 and offered a number of improvements for Microsoft's Outlook e-mail client; however, soon after its release a number of people found that the update had caused corruption in their identity databases. This resulted in the suite's programs not opening correctly.
Microsoft initially addressed this problem by issuing instructions that users could follow to prepare their identities for the upgrade, or restore their identities if they had been corrupted after the upgrade; however, these did not help all people affected by the bug, and Microsoft subsequently removed this update from its AutoUpdate servers.
Today Microsoft made a new version of the update available, which should upgrade Office installations without adversely affecting users' identities. Microsoft states in a blog posting that this latest update is targeted for those who have not yet installed the SP2 update, but recommends that everyone install it to ensure their installations are at the latest version.
The update should be available for Office users via Microsoft's AutoUpdate utility, but also can be downloaded from Microsoft's Office for Mac support site. As with the initial version of the update, this one is about 110MB in size.
Unfortunately this update will not fix corruption that may have occurred in users' identity databases, so if you installed the prior SP2 update and are experiencing problems, first try our instructions on addressing the issue, but if this does not help then you will likely need to delete the current identity and create a new one.

Samsung Gusto 2 (black, Verizon Wireless)

The good: The Samsung Gusto 2's solid, compact design looks and feels good, and call quality was excellent on both sides of the line. Additional accessibility features are a bonus.
The bad: The Gusto 2's subpar resolution is out-of-date, there's a smaller-than-standard headset jack, and some people may find the convenience keys hard to press.
The bottom line: Verizon customers looking for a simple phone will appreciate the Samsung Gusto 2's emphasis on call quality and comfort, despite a few minor flaws.

Photo gallery:
Samsung Gusto 2 (Verizon Wireless)

If you're a simple cell phone, there are three necessary qualities for achieving greatness in your class: a sturdy, comfortable design; easy navigation; and great call quality. The original Samsung Gusto crashed and burned on all three counts. Thankfully, Verizon's second stab at the Gusto line, the Samsung Gusto 2, excels, leaving only a few lingering problems.
Without explicitly saying so, the Gusto 2's accessibility features nod toward seniors and people who prefer to rely on audio, rather than visual, inputs. The Samsung Gusto 2 will cost $79.99 at ... Expand full review

Adobe makes the CS6 sales pitch

dobe Systems first showed a few paws, then a tail, then a couple ears and some whiskers -- but now the company is letting the complete Creative Suite 6 cat out of the bag.
After a series of sneak previews and early announcements, Adobe now is detailing the full CS6 line, the meat and potatoes of Adobe's business. It's important to a large number of people involved with photography, videography, design, and publishing on the Web or on paper, and it's set to be arrive within 30 days, Adobe announced today.
But CS products aren't cheap, so Adobe must periodically add something new to keep people coming back. This time around, Adobe is adapting CS6 for more advanced Web design and publishing on mobile devices, and it's got a major new way to buy the products for $50 a month, the new subscription plan called Creative Cloud. For CS3, CS4, and CS5.x customers, Adobe is offering an introductory offer of $30 per month.
The subscription includes a lot more than the CS6 Master Collection, including an 20GB Dropbox-like online file sync service, Lightroom for photo editing and cataloging, Adobe's new Edge and Muse tools for designing Web pages in the HTML5 era, the Touch apps for tablets, Web site hosting, and a tablet publishing service.
But for the traditional set, Adobe also is continuing to offer its perpetual-license model for the narrower CS6 line. The all-encompassing Master Collection CS6 costs $2,599 new and $549 to upgrade; the more basic Design Standard costs $1,299/$299; and the Production Premium and the newly consolidated Design and Web Premium options each cost $1,899/$399.
What exactly is Adobe throwing into the mix to attract customers? Plenty. Here's a breakdown, and Adobe's list of top items is at the bottom of the story.
Photoshop CS6
The updated Photoshop comes with a darker interface and a number of features. For one thing, its brainy content-aware tools are a notch brainier for filling in backgrounds or stretching features automatically. For another, it gets a more more sophisticated video editing that's now in the ordinary version of Photoshop, not just standard.

Photoshop CS6 adds new "content-aware" tools for making up image data automatically when objects are removed or elongated.

(Credit: Adobe Systems)

And it's got a lot of new hardware acceleration for better performance. Blur effects can be used to selectively focus on one patch of a photo or to simulate the currently vogue tilt-shift lens effect. And an adaptive wide-angle filter lets people fiddle with photos to get more natural-looking perspectives.
By itself, Photoshop costs $699 new for the standard version and $999 for the Extended version that adds 3D graphics and other features. It also can be used for $20 a month with an annual subscription or $30 per month for a month-to-month subscription.
Premiere Pro
Adobe's video-editing tool gets a radically simplified user interface that puts the video itself front and center rather than relegating it to panels encrusted with buttons and menus. The panel for managing video clips lets videographers scrub through videos and set the in and out points on the spot for faster work.

Premiere Pro CS6 gets a streamlined interface and a retooled panel at lower left for organizing and trimming video clips.

(Credit: Adobe Systems)

Keyboard-oriented editors also get new controls for trimming video clips to a precise length, After Effects' Warp Stabilizer feature has been built in to correct for camera shake and rolling shutter problems, and the software can handle any number of cameras for multicam shoots. Laptop users will be pleased to know that the hardware-accelerated Mercury Playback Engine now supports higher-end new MacBook Pro models, too.
After Effects
This program is for video editors who need to add visual effects, composite multiple videos together, and build motion graphics -- think of the logos that fly across a TV screen as the big game is starting up. The big new feature here is caching that dramatically improves performance. A memory cache and a disk cache mean that once AE effects such as color changes are calculated, they can be reused as a foundation when adding other effects; previously, the software would have to recalculate every layer each time a new one was added. Adobe hopes the new approach will lower the barriers to experimenting with new looks.

Microsoft releases Skype 1.0 for Windows Phone

Version 1.0 of Skype for Windows Phone is now available in the Windows Phone Marketplace, as reported by WPCentral.com.
The 6 MB free Skype for Windows Phone app runs on Windows Phone 7.5 devices and higher. It works over Wi-Fi or 3G. Version 1.0 replaces the beta of the app which Microsoft rolled out at the end of February.
WPCentral notes that the 1.0 release3 adds the ability to search for and add new contacts and call landlines. However, it does not allow background calling, meaning the app will only allow someone to call if the user has Skype open and is in the app.
Microsoft is expected to more tightly integrate Skype with the Windows Phone 8 operating system release. However, according to early leaks, Skype will still remain a standalone app by the time Windows Phone 8 debuts, which is expected to be before the end of calendar 2012.
There are already Skype for iPhone, Skype for Android and Skype for Blackberry apps available.
WPCentral also noted today that the 2.0 version of Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud-storage app for Windows Phone also is now in the Windows Phone Marketplace, too. Microsoft's SkyDrive team recently added ODF document support and URL shortening, among a few other features, to SkyDrive.