How to improve Windows 7 experience with 7stack

Some of Windows 7 functions make it similar to a Mac. One of these characteristics is the task bar, which had already been modified in Windows Vista. However, something that Microsoft didn’t take into account when it created the task bar was the possibility of creating customized shortcut menus. This is where 7stack comes into play.

This is a simple application with which we can create customized menus and pin them to the task bar so that we can access the most frequently used programs, folders and documents more easily. In addition, 7stack fits Windows 7’s elegant interface.

7stack is highly customizable and it enables us to create shortcut menus in a few simple steps. Although it is very easy-to-use, there’s something we must do before running the program that is not previously stated. This refers to the creation of a folder where we must include the shortcuts we want to use in the customized menu.

Once this has been done, in 7stack’s window we can indicate which is the folder where the shortcuts are located and define some options such as the title, icon, view mode, size, ect.

7stack far exceeds the users’ expectations. The only detail that could probably be improved is the possibility of selecting the programs, documents or folders from its interface without the need of creating a folder in advance.

Undoubtedly, 7stack is an improvement for Windows 7’s users that is very useful since by means of a few clicks we will be able to open a document or application while working in any other application without having to use Windows Explorer or filling our desktop with icons.

How to remove Windows Live Messenger from Windows 7’s task bar

If you are among the first users who decided to change to Windows 7 you must have noticed that, despite its modern and nice interface, there are some features that are not exactly practical.

One of them is the constant presence of Windows Live Messenger in the task bar as if it was just a window, instead of being located in notification area, as in the previous versions of Microsoft’s operative system.

It is really easy to restore Windows Live Messenger ’s status in Windows 7. First, you must unpin it from the taskbar (if it has been pinned). To do so, right-click its icon in the task bar and select ‘Unpin this program from the taskbar’.

Next, we need to change Windows Live Messenger ’s compatibility options. Go to ‘Start’ menu and look for Windows Live folder in “All programs”. Then right-click on it and select “Properties”.

Go to “Compatibility” tab in the pop-up window and check the option “Run this program in compatibility mode for…”. Once you do this, select “Windows Vista (Service Pack 2)” from the options in the drop-down menu.

From now on, you will have Windows Live Messenger in the notification area and thus more free space in Windows 7’s task bar. To put it in the ‘Show always’ mode, you must use the ‘Preferences’ in notification area.

How to know if my computer will support Windows 7

A way to check if our computer is ready to support Windows 7 in a quick and effective way is through an analysis of the system with Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

The comments regarding the new version of the Microsoft operating system are so many that it results difficult not to be tempted to download it and test it on our PC. However, if we have any doubts as if we’ll be ready for the upgrade, Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will clear them all.

Once we run the program, with a single click it starts doing a full analysis of the system, giving us a complete report of the situation of the computer contemplating Windows 7 requirements, in its 32 as well as its 64-bit version.

The report Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor provides includes an analysis of the free space on the hard drive and RAM memory to run Windows 7, as well as if our graphic card will be able to support the interface and if the processor has sufficient speed.

On the other hand, Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor performs an analysis of the programs we have installed telling us about their compatibility with the last version of the operating system. Not only that, bur it also tests if our devices would work with Windows 7.

Additionally, in case of having Windows 7 already installed, this tool will keep us updated as regards new versions and if we need to upgrade the one we have.

As it can be seen, running Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is essential when migrating to the new operating system, so we can do it safe and satisfactorily.

Make Windows 7 work to its best with 7Tweak

With Windows 7 launch, it became necessary the development of new programs being able to work especially for the maintenance and optimization of this new version of the Microsoft operating system. A good example of this type of utilities is 7Tweak, an already well-known application which has been one of the firsts to base itself on this Windows version.

When we run 7Tweak, like with other maintenance suites, we find a lateral panel from which we’ll be able to access to the different units of the program. On the main area of the window, we have the available tools on each eyelash.

7Tweak’s main menu is divided among the maintenance tools (“Daily Tools”; “Tools”; “System”), the ones for the optimization of the system’s speed performance (“Optimizations”) and those of personalization of Windows 7 (“Customizations”).

Among the most important maintenance tools we find a defragmenter, a registry repairer, a startup programs manager, virtual units and controllers. Furthermore, among the tools that it counts with but are only for advanced users, we find the registry editor.

The utilities to increase the speed of the system will allow us to determine how much memory to leave on cache, waiting time to perform tasks, deactivation of Windows visual effects that can consume much RAM memory, among other things.

As regards the personalization options, they are related to the way in which we’ll see the menus, taskbars and desktop, as also certain Internet Explorer configurations.

One of the particularities which this program counts with is the “Tweaks”, which implies perform actions on the system to optimize it with a sharp tuning criteria. However, it requires for expert users to manage it to make the most profit of this feature.

Maybe the only problem with this complete program is that the trial version keeps running only during 10 days. Beyond that, it may be discussed the difficulty to configure some of the features, however it compensates with the great benefits that 7Tweak provides to the performance of our system.

Change Windows 7 logon screen

Changing the background image on the Windows 7 logon screen for one that we like is a simple task if you count with the appropriate tool. To do it we’ll use Thoosje Windows 7 Logon Editor.

Once we enter the program we’ll see that there is a logon window which emulates the one for Windows 7 and in which we’ll be able to preview how it’s going to be our screen after we apply Thoosje Windows 7 Logon Editor.

So in order to change the image, once we are there, we click on “Browse”. This way we’ll be able to explore on our system among the images we have. Although Thoosje Windows 7 Logon Editor comes with a few images, we have the freedom to select the one we want, as long as its size it’s not bigger than 256 KB. On the other hand, on the program webpage, to which we have a shortcut in “More Backgrounds”, we’ll find several background screens to choose from.

Once we selected the image we’ll go back to the main screen where, as we said before, will have a preview of how will be the result of the logon screen. If we are satisfied, we click on “Change Background”, being forced by Thoosje Windows 7 Logon Editor to restart the PC to apply the changes.

Every time we want to change Windows 7 logon screen we just need to repete this simple task. In the event we want to restore the image that comes by default with Windows 7, we only need to click on “Restore Default”

As it can be seen, Thoosje Windows 7 Logon Editor is a utility easy to use that, without any risks of altering other aspects, will allow us with a few steps to perform this configuration change for which Windows 7 doesn’t have a direct option.

Microsoft launches today its new operative system: Windows 7

As from today –and all over the world- Microsoft Windows 7 (or Seven) finally hits retail stores. For those –unhappy- users regarding Windows Vista, who actually rolled back to Windows XP due to performance issues and system crashes, Microsoft, the world leading company in operative systems, states that Windows 7 is the best Windows ever and this way, Microsoft is hoping its new system will perform as promised and avoid a repeat of the negative publicity associated with Windows Vista.

Windows 7 promises a streamlined interface, support for touch screens, and security features that, while robust, don’t interfere with users’ day-to-day interactions with their computers, the software maker claims. Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for customers to do the things they want on a PC through a streamlined user interface and several new features that make everyday tasks faster. This launch marks a significant milestone for Microsoft and is a result of extensive feedback from millions of customers and partners around the world.

The new Windows 7 is lighter and faster, even on virtual machines and mid-end systems. It features a less intrusive –and less annoying- UAC (User Account Control).security center. It also adds a new taskbar, bigger icons, thumbnails and other user-friendly features. The result is an easy to connect, easy to browse and simple to use operating system, requiring less waiting, less clicks, less hassle connecting to devices, less power consumption and less complexity for the consumers.

In spite of all the additions to the new operative system, many users still wonder if their rig can handle Windows 7, and for that purpose there is a tool called Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. In case your hardware doesn’t meet Windows 7 minimum system requirements, guess you´ll have to make do with Seven Transformation Pack, a Windows 7 theme for Windows XP.

In addition to media support in Vista, Windows 7 will add playback of media in MP4, MOV, 3GP, AVCHD, ADTS, M4A, and WTV multimedia containers, with native codecs for H.264, MPEG4-SP, ASP/DivX/Xvid, MJPEG, DV, AAC-LC, LPCM and AAC-HE. However, those are just a few filters and codecs. Windows 7 doesn’t include any codec package; therefore it is recommended that you install codec pack upon installing the new operative system. Another issue with Windows 7 is the lack of Windows Live Messenger 2009, the most popular instant messaging client, also from Microsoft.

Nevertheless, not everything is Windows 7 is a shortcoming. The new operative system features BitLocker, bringing encryption support to removable disks such as USB drives. Such devices can be protected by a passphrase, a recovery key, or be automatically unlocked on a computer. Windows 7 also features Solid State drives support in order to take advantage of the capabilities and unique performance characteristics of solid-state drives. Windows 7 will turn off Windows Disk Defragmenter and will make use of the new SSD TRIM command to physically erase logically deleted data more aggressively, so that it won’t need to be done later when new data is written to the same block.

As for security, The Windows Security Center has been renamed to Windows Action which encompasses both security and maintenance of the computer. A new User Account Control user interface has been introduced, which provides the ability to select four different levels of notifications. Though the Ultimate version of includes a sort of antivirus and spyware software, it´s always recommended to install a third-party antivirus.

In spite of the tips we herein provider, Windows 7 was built around users feedback, so you’ll see a lot of things you and many people around the asked for a –and complained. People wanted to make everyday tasks faster and easier, to make their PCs work the way you want them to, and to make it possible to do new things. And that’s exactly what Windows 7 promisses to do. Get ready to enjoy Microsoft´s new operative system, which according to their CEO, “Windows 7 is the best Windows ever”

Some developers have already released a new version of their software in order to support Windows 7:

• Windows 7 Manager
• Windows 7 Little Tweaker
• PDF Printer for Windows 7
• PDF Viewer for Windows 7
• PDF Converter for Windows 7
• Windows 7 TuneUpSuite
• Tweak-7 1.0 Build
• webcam 7 Beta

Microsoft set to launch Windows 7, the new OS that will make up for Vista´s fiasco

The so-called Microsoft Windows 7 will finally hit retail stores on October 22. The new version of Microsoft operative system will attempt to regain the trust and confidence of Windows users and leave the oft-criticized Windows Vista on the past.

When the beta was launched several months ago, there were many viewpoints, but users concluded that Microsoft amended Vista ´s performance and speed, and fixing many bugs and polishing its interface. Windows 7 addresses many compatibility issues as well as many new features making it an operative system way more stable that Vista . In other words, Windows 7 is what Vista should have been in the first place.

Microsoft´CEO Steve Ballmer stated that “Windows 7 is the best Windows ever” and to reinforce this statement, he announced International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas some of the Windows 7 enhancements and new features. According to Ballmer, the new operating system is expected to be less processor-hungry than Vista , and will feature a much simpler installation process. In addition, it will give users one-click access to the last file they worked on, fewer compatibility issues with devices such as printers and digital cameras, and a greater ability to synchronize files and data between computers within the home, and stream music and photos between machines.

Moreover, you can watch many TV shows with Media Player; Internet Explorer 8 is –of course- included in the OS. You can also run application in compatibility Mode (Windows 98/ME/Vista /XP SP3 and more); protect your data with BitLocker and more. Windows 7 will be available in 35 languages at the time of release. Windows 7 also aim for gamers by including DirectX 11, enabling developers to add new graphical features to their graphic engines.

This time, Microsoft will launch the “Home Premium”, “Professional” and “Ultimate” RTM (final) version of Windows 7 32 (x86) and 64 (x64) bits at full retail price for those who want a new license and there´s a also a retail upgrade for Windows XP/Vista users.

Microsoft is looking for vindication with the release of Windows 7 and hopefully make people forget about Vista ´s fiasco. Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President of the OEM Division, stated “As we’ve said many times, quality is our primary goal,” and it seems this time they are going the right one.