Ten tricks every Windows 7 power user should know
by Ed Bott | November 8, 2011 4:41pm PST | Image 1 of 10
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Put multiple clocks in the taskbar
Are you a Windows 7 power user? Do you want to be? I've scoured my archive of tips, shortcuts, and secrets to find the hidden gems even some Windows experts don't know about. These aren't esoteric tweaks - they're honest-to-goodness productivity boosters that will save you time and keystrokes.
Let's get started ...
Quick! What time is it in Abu Dhabi right now? How about London, Moscow, or Beijing? Even if you could memorize the time zones, good luck keeping up with the changes in Daylight Saving Time.
Normally, that doesn't matter, but if you have friends, family, or co-workers in a distant time zone, knowing the exact time can help you coordinate times for phone calls or online conferences.
For a foolproof solution, make this small tweak to the Windows 7 clock. Click the time at the right side of the taskbar and then click Change Date And Time Settings. On the Additional Clocks tab, you can define one or two extra clocks, each with a time zone and a custom label of your choosing.
After you get things set up, click the time to see your custom clocks. The big one is local time, and the ones next to it are your custom additions.
Just In
If there's one annoying system sound I hate it's the "click" everytime a mouse button is clicked.
To change this, go to Control Panel, Hardware and Sound, Change system sounds. Navigate to "Windows Explorer:Start Navigation" in the "Program Events" treeview. Change the "Sounds" drop-down value to "(None)".
Voila - no more annoying click.
As for the the "Copy as path" trick, I prefer "CopyPath" from http://www.autodebug.com/download.php. Once installed, the option is always available on a right-click without having to remember to press the Shift key.
To change this, go to Control Panel, Hardware and Sound, Change system sounds. Navigate to "Windows Explorer:Start Navigation" in the "Program Events" treeview. Change the "Sounds" drop-down value to "(None)".
Voila - no more annoying click.
As for the the "Copy as path" trick, I prefer "CopyPath" from http://www.autodebug.com/download.php. Once installed, the option is always available on a right-click without having to remember to press the Shift key.
@bwsd: Personally I always switch off all system sounds. They're all very annoying. I've always done this.
Does no one switch Control Panel to Classic View any more? I guess it's useful for non-techie types but I know what all the control panel applets do and navigating through that annoying category list to find them gets on my nerves.
I tend to just right click on the Explorer address bar and copy to get the full path. It's easier to remember.
Does no one switch Control Panel to Classic View any more? I guess it's useful for non-techie types but I know what all the control panel applets do and navigating through that annoying category list to find them gets on my nerves.
I tend to just right click on the Explorer address bar and copy to get the full path. It's easier to remember.
@bradavon Why would anyone switch Control Panel to Classic View when you have the search box in the upper right corner of it's Window?
Mostly, i don't even open the Control Panel - i use the Search Box of the Start Menu to search for the Control Panel Function i need.
Mostly, i don't even open the Control Panel - i use the Search Box of the Start Menu to search for the Control Panel Function i need.
@cgdams ... I don't see why anyone would use 'search' panels in Windows (any version) if they don't have to ... firstly to use search you have to know what you're searching for by name, and secondly it means taking your hand off the mouse. It's far faster and easier to go click click click scroll scroll scroll ... do it all with one hand on the mouse while I sip my mug o'coffee with the other ... I hate having to put my hands on the keyboard just to navigate and select functions. That's totally counter-intuitive to the whole mouse-centric iconic windowing desktop environment that I've been using for at least 2 decades now. I hate having my view of the system and programs restricted by arbitrary limitations ... I always want to see what's there, and will always prefer browse versus search.
@bradavon
Copying the path from the Windows Explorer address bar gives you the path for the folder, not for the file itself. So if you're uploading a file to a web site you still have to browse through the folder's contents and find the file you want to upload. That is potentially confusing if it's an image with a name like DSC110038. Using the Copy As Path command gives you the full path to the FILE ITSELF, which saves you that browsing and eliminates the possibility that you will upload the wrong file.
As for Control Panel, you do know that individual tasks are indexed so that you can find a specific tab or command. The index even uses keywords that are not part of the command. So if you search for "bigger" you get options like "Make it easier to read what's on your screen" in the Display Control Panel.
Copying the path from the Windows Explorer address bar gives you the path for the folder, not for the file itself. So if you're uploading a file to a web site you still have to browse through the folder's contents and find the file you want to upload. That is potentially confusing if it's an image with a name like DSC110038. Using the Copy As Path command gives you the full path to the FILE ITSELF, which saves you that browsing and eliminates the possibility that you will upload the wrong file.
As for Control Panel, you do know that individual tasks are indexed so that you can find a specific tab or command. The index even uses keywords that are not part of the command. So if you search for "bigger" you get options like "Make it easier to read what's on your screen" in the Display Control Panel.
@bradavon Yes, I too turn the system sounds off. They are annoying and it does consume some CPU cycles which every serious software programmer wont' allow to happen.
@bwsd I love CopyPath in XP but cannot get it functional in Win7. Is there a trick or a special Win7 version?
@royherman
@bwsd Thanks for the link to autodebug's Copy Path utility. That's going to make uploading photos & stuff much simpler.
@bwsd
A slighly quicker way to get to the Sound menu, if you have the speaker icon in the taskbar notification area, just right click on the speaker and select "Sounds".
A slighly quicker way to get to the Sound menu, if you have the speaker icon in the taskbar notification area, just right click on the speaker and select "Sounds".
@rob07601
Wow! Thanks for that tip. I'm no power user but this is exactly what I needed because my default sound settings change when I unplug the headphones (earbuds, really). Now I can reset them in less than ten seconds!
Wow! Thanks for that tip. I'm no power user but this is exactly what I needed because my default sound settings change when I unplug the headphones (earbuds, really). Now I can reset them in less than ten seconds!
@bwsd: THANKS a ton for the CopyPath link!
Excellent utility.
Excellent utility.
@bwsd I couldn't download it.. had 0x80070005 error and never could find fix for Windows 7 64.. wasted a lot of time
@You Are So Wrong
You need to use a command prompt with administrator rights to register the dll.
You need to use a command prompt with administrator rights to register the dll.
@bwsd For XP Users, there is an app found at: http://www.copyfilepath.com/ which will install the CopyFilePath capability into XP's right-click menu.
@bwsd
Thanks for the link to copy path, BUT do you / or any else know a method to replace backslashes (\) with ordinary slash (/). This because I very much use this for opening a page in browser (localhost), and here i HAVE TO use norm. slash !?
Thanks in behalf
Ole (DK)
Thanks for the link to copy path, BUT do you / or any else know a method to replace backslashes (\) with ordinary slash (/). This because I very much use this for opening a page in browser (localhost), and here i HAVE TO use norm. slash !?
Thanks in behalf
Ole (DK)
@bwsd
Thanks for the link to copy path, BUT do you / or any else know a method to replace backslashes (\) with ordinary slash (/). This because I very much use this for opening a page in browser (localhost), and here i HAVE TO use norm. slash !?
Thanks in behalf
Ole (DK)
Thanks for the link to copy path, BUT do you / or any else know a method to replace backslashes (\) with ordinary slash (/). This because I very much use this for opening a page in browser (localhost), and here i HAVE TO use norm. slash !?
Thanks in behalf
Ole (DK)
@bwsd
Thanks for the link to copy path, BUT do you / or any else know a method to replace backslashes (\) with ordinary slash (/). This because I very much use this for opening a page in browser (localhost), and here i HAVE TO use norm. slash !?
Thanks in behalf
Ole (DK)
Thanks for the link to copy path, BUT do you / or any else know a method to replace backslashes (\) with ordinary slash (/). This because I very much use this for opening a page in browser (localhost), and here i HAVE TO use norm. slash !?
Thanks in behalf
Ole (DK)
@bwsd Bless you! No more annoying "click" Thank you "Power User."
Woo Hoo...Windows 7 tricks that were carryovers from Vista. For all I know (don't have a working copy of XP anymore), these are not new to Windows in version 7. I really wish "knowledge workers" would stop the wowiezowie-newest-kewlest content in favor of "here's something cool you can do in Windows" and tell which ones are unique to a version. There's a dude on Techrepublic who always writes about Windows stuff...but, guess what? He only writes about Ultimate version and never/hardly ever acknowledges his "content" is for the few, not the many. This stuff here is no less irksome.
@oldguardreindeer-techrepublic@...
First of all, a very large number of people skipped Vista, in case you didn't notice.
Second, at least three of these 10 are Windows 7 only. And even among the others, there are some substantial differences. This isn't a rehash.
First of all, a very large number of people skipped Vista, in case you didn't notice.
Second, at least three of these 10 are Windows 7 only. And even among the others, there are some substantial differences. This isn't a rehash.
@Ed Bott
If you're going to get defensive and call names, you should change your picture to one of the angry birds.
Thank you very very very much! Seriously! I've spent hours trying to copy paths. This may give me many productive months back in my life. It does work in Vista, which my company did not skip. I'll check it on XP, which I don't have time or money to get off of at home.
If you're going to get defensive and call names, you should change your picture to one of the angry birds.
Thank you very very very much! Seriously! I've spent hours trying to copy paths. This may give me many productive months back in my life. It does work in Vista, which my company did not skip. I'll check it on XP, which I don't have time or money to get off of at home.
Did you remember to put them in your book? 
@JimboNobody
Shift right-click on XP adds a "Pin to Start Menu" item to the menu.
Shift right-click on XP adds a "Pin to Start Menu" item to the menu.
@Ed Bott
And I've been able to do all of these things for years and more with 2000, then XP. Sometimes using utilities I've installed. Mind you, that I CHOSE to install, not feature bloat that MS added. And I wouldn't be surprised if they're better than the Windows versions (the Start menu search requires you to use keywords for filters? Really?).
I'm not saying that articles like this aren't useful. I do use Windows 7 at work and I'm limited to what I can add (officially ??? which means they don't get installed). But I still use my four year old home-built machine running XP and it matches the performance of my new workstation at the office. While still running a full complement of the latest and best security software, with all the extra utilities I've installed.
I'm just a little tired of hearing how great 7 is (as I heard initially from many publications about Vista before it). It's acceptable, but as a power user (like most here), so far at least, I can still do without.
And I've been able to do all of these things for years and more with 2000, then XP. Sometimes using utilities I've installed. Mind you, that I CHOSE to install, not feature bloat that MS added. And I wouldn't be surprised if they're better than the Windows versions (the Start menu search requires you to use keywords for filters? Really?).
I'm not saying that articles like this aren't useful. I do use Windows 7 at work and I'm limited to what I can add (officially ??? which means they don't get installed). But I still use my four year old home-built machine running XP and it matches the performance of my new workstation at the office. While still running a full complement of the latest and best security software, with all the extra utilities I've installed.
I'm just a little tired of hearing how great 7 is (as I heard initially from many publications about Vista before it). It's acceptable, but as a power user (like most here), so far at least, I can still do without.
@oldguardreindeer-techrepublic@... Keep this a secret..Windows 7 and Vista are almost the same..they took some things out of Vista and made some minor improvements and voila Win7
Win7 is just upgraded Vista..they probably could have just fixed/upgraded Vista but it got such a bad rep (mostly unwarranted as users should have expected issues at the beginning with such a new operating system. Plus I think too many expected it to run well on old outdated systems) at the beginning I can see why they came up with a new name...
Win7 is just upgraded Vista..they probably could have just fixed/upgraded Vista but it got such a bad rep (mostly unwarranted as users should have expected issues at the beginning with such a new operating system. Plus I think too many expected it to run well on old outdated systems) at the beginning I can see why they came up with a new name...
@ChrispyCritter
Not sure how your comment related to the article.
was it a Troll?
Not sure how your comment related to the article.
was it a Troll?
@William Farrell No it's just related to the comment I replied to..sometimes I go off topic..I read his comment that things carried over and felt the need to post my comment that Win7 and Vista are pretty much the same...
@ChrispyCritter
That is not true Crispy. From a Forensics standpoint I can tell you that W7 is different, especially behind the curtain. It is more efficient and faster for more platforms. It is also more difficult to properly survey. If you had a 2010 6 cylinder Ford F150 and in 2011 went to a V8 fully automatic w/overdrive F150 they would look very similar on the outside, but it would be a whole new experience, especially the first time you pulled your sailboat. Yes, I pull sailboats with W7 all of the time, but that is not the point. I think you know what the point is, so, I am out of here.
That is not true Crispy. From a Forensics standpoint I can tell you that W7 is different, especially behind the curtain. It is more efficient and faster for more platforms. It is also more difficult to properly survey. If you had a 2010 6 cylinder Ford F150 and in 2011 went to a V8 fully automatic w/overdrive F150 they would look very similar on the outside, but it would be a whole new experience, especially the first time you pulled your sailboat. Yes, I pull sailboats with W7 all of the time, but that is not the point. I think you know what the point is, so, I am out of here.
@ChrispyCritter
Just wait, Windows 8 will change everything for the better, just like all its predecessors.
Just wait, Windows 8 will change everything for the better, just like all its predecessors.
Dear Know It All Grumpy Reindeer,
@oldguardreindeer-techrepublic@...
Why don't you get off your butt and write an informative column that millions can read, like the one here, and then you will not need to waste everyone's time by complaining? What a novel idea, be positive instead of negative. Try it, you might like it.
@oldguardreindeer-techrepublic@...
Why don't you get off your butt and write an informative column that millions can read, like the one here, and then you will not need to waste everyone's time by complaining? What a novel idea, be positive instead of negative. Try it, you might like it.
@Forensics1 and @CrispyCritter & @William Farrell.@Ed Bott
I agree that Vista missed the mark on release and the only way marketing was going to salvage the situation was with a shiny new Windows version. Vista just isn't that bad if you had the system to run it. And yes, granted 7 brought some new stuff under the hood...but this article was hardly about the esoterica of the OS deep within. It's about some darned handy dandy tricks. And good ones they are, Ed. Now in following up to my original comment: Sorry, Ed, please recognize my comment as coming from a reactive, "i snapped" perspective. It's just that I've read too many articles, blogs, "news" items that have just disappointed me for being just off the mark. So, maybe grumpy fits. Sorry about that -- snapped. Nevertheless, this doesn't change the central point of my comment, "these features have been around for a while in earlier versions of Windows and they are incredibly helpful. And this one, _______ (fill in the blank), Windows 7 made even better." You said it yourself in a comment yesterday. Had your remark been included in the article, it would have made it even more informative. Peace.
I agree that Vista missed the mark on release and the only way marketing was going to salvage the situation was with a shiny new Windows version. Vista just isn't that bad if you had the system to run it. And yes, granted 7 brought some new stuff under the hood...but this article was hardly about the esoterica of the OS deep within. It's about some darned handy dandy tricks. And good ones they are, Ed. Now in following up to my original comment: Sorry, Ed, please recognize my comment as coming from a reactive, "i snapped" perspective. It's just that I've read too many articles, blogs, "news" items that have just disappointed me for being just off the mark. So, maybe grumpy fits. Sorry about that -- snapped. Nevertheless, this doesn't change the central point of my comment, "these features have been around for a while in earlier versions of Windows and they are incredibly helpful. And this one, _______ (fill in the blank), Windows 7 made even better." You said it yourself in a comment yesterday. Had your remark been included in the article, it would have made it even more informative. Peace.
Registry Favorites? Are they kidding??
How many WINDOWS (yes, Windows!) users even know what the heck is "the registry" ?
What about the old school feature "Search", huh?
How many WINDOWS (yes, Windows!) users even know what the heck is "the registry" ?
What about the old school feature "Search", huh?
@nanomartin
The title says "power user". Not meant for everyone.
The title says "power user". Not meant for everyone.
@ManoaHI yep, that's what keeps otherwise completely bored IT support, making a living I guess.
@nanomartin and the old-school "re-install OS" after you twiddle with registry settings that hose things up irretrievably.
@tavent Only if you ignore old school rule one ???Backup everything especially the registry regularly??? running multiple boot windows7/64 alongside 7/32, XPpro64 and Ubuntu on OCZ Vertex SSD???s Raid 0 setup as main boot drive and all systems were originally installed between June and Sept 2009.
Windows7 was originally an RC beta witch I have upgraded to Ultimate, but thanks to ghost clone I have never needed to reinstall even through the multitude of SSD bios updates as well as the SSD drive upgrades I have added to my system, I use TweakNow PowerPack to clean/defrag and backup registry and always use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall programs, AM64 Move Programs if I want to move a programme around from drive to drive, first program I have found that really dose what it says on the box, and it???s so easy to use you can even move programs onto a VHD Drive and leave the original where it is if you want to, also use Comodo Internet Security by far the best anti-virus/firewall and sandbox and its free for home user???s would also recommend all their products and services as they are all second to none and maintains free.
Should explain that I run four independent Raid 0 setups all of which are boot drives and have a total of 13 partitions and when I boot to say SSd2x60GB Raid0 Vertex2eWindows7/64 that partitions will boot as drive C: (SddWin7/64) with drive D: (Programs) drive E: (SddWinPro/64) Ect. And if I boot to SSd3xvertex30GBWinPro/64 that will boot up as drive C:(SddWinPro/64) with drive D: (Programs) and with drive E: as E: (SddWin7/64) Ect I boot into windows7/32 witch is the first partition on a Raid0 2x 1TB CarverBlack on a Sata3 Marvel card and Ubuntu is booted from a 3x500GB Sata2 Raid 0
Windows7 was originally an RC beta witch I have upgraded to Ultimate, but thanks to ghost clone I have never needed to reinstall even through the multitude of SSD bios updates as well as the SSD drive upgrades I have added to my system, I use TweakNow PowerPack to clean/defrag and backup registry and always use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall programs, AM64 Move Programs if I want to move a programme around from drive to drive, first program I have found that really dose what it says on the box, and it???s so easy to use you can even move programs onto a VHD Drive and leave the original where it is if you want to, also use Comodo Internet Security by far the best anti-virus/firewall and sandbox and its free for home user???s would also recommend all their products and services as they are all second to none and maintains free.
Should explain that I run four independent Raid 0 setups all of which are boot drives and have a total of 13 partitions and when I boot to say SSd2x60GB Raid0 Vertex2eWindows7/64 that partitions will boot as drive C: (SddWin7/64) with drive D: (Programs) drive E: (SddWinPro/64) Ect. And if I boot to SSd3xvertex30GBWinPro/64 that will boot up as drive C:(SddWinPro/64) with drive D: (Programs) and with drive E: as E: (SddWin7/64) Ect I boot into windows7/32 witch is the first partition on a Raid0 2x 1TB CarverBlack on a Sata3 Marvel card and Ubuntu is booted from a 3x500GB Sata2 Raid 0
lets see, multiple clicks to see multiple screens means multiple ad revenues eh ?
@curmudgen@...
Thanks for the feedback.
These images are 620 pixels wide. Many of them can be blown up to 930 pixels wide with a single click. That is significantly more space to work with than the standard blog format.
I hate galleries that are done just for the sake of pageviews, which is why I try to reserve the format for pieces like this that simply wouldn't work on a standard blog page. I had a half-dozen more tips that don't require illustrations. I will save them for a standard blog post, where they belong.
Thanks for the feedback.
These images are 620 pixels wide. Many of them can be blown up to 930 pixels wide with a single click. That is significantly more space to work with than the standard blog format.
I hate galleries that are done just for the sake of pageviews, which is why I try to reserve the format for pieces like this that simply wouldn't work on a standard blog page. I had a half-dozen more tips that don't require illustrations. I will save them for a standard blog post, where they belong.
Very boring to wait "eject USB Pen drive"
OK, but how do you get rid of that horrible drop-down "taskbar" that comes down every time you move the cursor to the top of the screen? Or is that only on Sony VAIO laptops (like my new one, which runs Win 7 64-bit)? This stupid thing looks like some kind of monster that's going to eat the computer screen!
Thanks for the info about Favourites in Regedit. It's one of those things all power users would find useful but few know it exists or more to the point bother to look what's in the Regedit menus. I often have to remember where the Run locations are in the registry.
You're better off hibernating than sleeping PCs. Modern PCs can handle this fine, it means they shutdown completely and take only a little more time to turn back on.
p.s - Since upgrading to Vista then Win7 I've never once found Mobility Center useful. I prefer to just go to where the options are actually stored. Both volume and the power meter are in the system tray for instance.
You're better off hibernating than sleeping PCs. Modern PCs can handle this fine, it means they shutdown completely and take only a little more time to turn back on.
p.s - Since upgrading to Vista then Win7 I've never once found Mobility Center useful. I prefer to just go to where the options are actually stored. Both volume and the power meter are in the system tray for instance.
Neat article. Thanks Ed. Look forward to the next. Please include adding Quick Launch and a Shortcuts folder to the taskbar. Why MS made it so difficult to add Quick Launch, I cannot imagine - probably thought pinning programs was sufficient. No way!
I really appreciate the following 3 tips (and was gratified that I already knew or didn't need the other 7):
1) "Copy as path";
2) System Info re BIOS; and
3) Windows + X.
Much obliged, KCW
1) "Copy as path";
2) System Info re BIOS; and
3) Windows + X.
Much obliged, KCW
Sorry, I don't read Chinese. The links to tricks 7-10 are broken as of 10am 12/29/11. Just when it was getting interesting. http://www.zdnet.com.cn/zdnet/to404.shtml
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