.NET to the rescue

Yes, there are tons of tips on Windows 7 in the web.  This is a compilation of what I feel is most useful.

In my earlier post (Using Windows Server 2008 as a Workstation), the same rules apply.  You have to enable the services so that you can unlock the full potential of Windows 7.

Now, time for the tips…

Tip #1: Enable Quick Launch

By default Quick Launch is disabled. I love Quick Launch as it won’t clutter up my Desktop.

1. Right click on a empty space on the taskbar and click on New Tool

2. In the Folder line, type or copy:

%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

3. Click on the Select Folder button

4. You now have a Quick Launch toolbar on the taskbar. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Click on the arrow to see your Quick Launch shortcuts.

Tip #2: Problem Steps Recorder

One of the coolest new tools in Windows 7 is the Problem Steps Recorder (PSR) — especially for those of us who provide tech support to Windows users. No matter how hard they try, users often have problems accurately describing the problem they’re experiencing or the steps they took before or after experiencing it. Sure, Remote Assistance can be a godsend in those situations. But you can’t always connect to the user’s computer in real time. That’s when the PSR comes in handy.

It’s really a type of screen capture software that records all actions — keystrokes, mouse clicks, etc. — and saves the sequence of events in an MHTML page that documents every step the user took, along with screenshots.

You start the PSR by entering psr.exe in the Start menu Search box or at the command prompt. The interface is shown below.

Another usage for this is documentation.  It captures all the step by step actions, therefore all you need to do is just go through the actions and paste it into your docs.  Cool!

BackInfo

While attending Microsoft courses, most likely you would have seen the information details on the desktop wallpaper of the machine you are using.  This is a tiny application called BackInfo.exe.

It is a very useful tool that enables you to visibly identify the computer that you are logged on to.  See a sample pic below.

It’s part of the Windows Server System Reference Architecture Virtual Environments for Development and Test (WSSRA-VE) Deployment Kit. You can download the kit from the link below and after you install the deployment kit you'll find Backinfo in the \bld\utils directory. (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/wssra/ve/wssra-veintro_3.mspx)

Or to save you the hassle, download it here.

BgInfo

There is also another free tool called BgInfo by SysInternals (Bought over by Microsoft) at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897557.aspx 

It basically does the same thing.  So, it’s up to you which UI you prefer :)

How to Install

1. Go to Run > gpedit.msc

2. Put the script under User Configuration > Windows Settings > Scripts (Logon/Logoff) > Logon

3. Add the link to the BackInfo.exe

* To prevent accidental deletion, one way is to put it under “C:\Program Files (x86)\backinfo\BackInfo.exe”

There are times whereby I need to go to Start > Control Panel > Network Connections. It’s just too many steps!

So… here are some shortcuts:

- Network Connections: ncpa.cpl

- IIS Manager: inetmgr

- Command Prompt: cmd

- Local Group Policy Editor: gpedit.msc

- Show Desktop: Windows Key + D

- Minimize All Windows: Windows Key + M

- Lock Screen: Windows Key + L

- Windows Explorer: Windows Key + E

- Display Projection: Windows Key + P (Windows 7 only)

The Display Switch settings box lets you quickly change how you want your desktop displayed.