The computer helper: Taming Vista

Tag : Computer System Components
There's a lot about Windows Vista that's new to usersof previous versions of Windows. And there's a lot about Vista thatyou probably don't need or want, as well. Do you ever, forinstance, really use the pen tablet components of Vista? Do you getannoyed by the constant reminders that you might not have afirewall installed? And do you wish you could bring back thestandard menus in applications such as Windows Explorer? If so,you're not alone. Read on for some solutions.

Q: Where did the standard menus go in Windows Vista? I rely uponthe Edit menu, but it's not there in Explorer.

A: Vista didn't do away with standard menus - the ones with File,Edit, View, and other options readily available - but it did hidethem in most of the applications on the operating system. You cannevertheless still access them by using the keyboard shortcuts thatyou could use previously to open them. For example, open WindowsExplorer in Vista, press Alt-F, and the File menu appears.

You can enable the menus permanently, though, which would probablybe more to your liking. To do so, open Windows Explorer or MyComputer, click the Organize button on the toolbar, and selectFolder and Search Options from the menu that drops down. From theresulting Folder Options dialogue box, select the View tab, andthen click the check box next to "Always Show Menus." Click Applyand then OK.

Q: Vista repeatedly warns me that I do not have an antivirusprogram or firewall installed. I already know that. How can I getrid of these annoying messages?

A: What you're referring to is the security shield icon that popsup from the system tray to tell you of a potential vulnerabilitywith security. To get rid of this tedious message, open Vista'sControl Panel, click the Security icon, and then click the SecurityCentre link. On the left-hand side of the resulting Security Centredialogue box, click "Change the way Security Centre alerts me."

A dialogue box will then ask you whether you wish to be notified ofsecurity issues. Choose either "Don't notify me, but display theicon" or "Don't notify me and don't display the icon." Then exitall dialogue boxes.

Q: Vista comes with a lot of applications I never use. How can Iremove things like games, fax software, and tablet PC components?

A: It's true that Vista gives you very few options for selectingwhich components of the operating system will be installed for you.Luckily, you can remove some of the bloatware yourself.

Open Vista's Control Panel, and click the Programs icon. Thenselect Programs and Features. Vista will take you to the "Uninstallor change a program" dialogue box. From the left-hand side, clickthe "Turn Windows features on or off" link. From the resultingWindows Features dialogue box, scroll down the list of installedprograms, and remove the check box next to anything you do not wanton your system.

When you're finished, click OK. Vista will begin uninstallingcomponents. If you ever want something back, don't worry. Justretrace your steps, and make sure you have your Vista installationDVD handy.

Q: How can I shut down or restart Vista using just the keyboard?Sometimes I need to do this if my mouse freezes up, but I find itmore efficient even when the mouse is working. This was easy in XP.

A: Microsoft did indeed make shutting down or restarting Vista lesskeyboard-friendly than in the past - or at least so it seems atfirst. The familiar Restart, Sleep, Hibernate, and Shut Downcommands are hidden behind the right-pointing arrow in the lowerright-hand corner of the Vista Start menu. To access them bykeyboard, open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on yourkeyboard. If you don't have a Windows key, just press Ctrl-Esc.

With the Start menu open, simply press the right arrow key on yourkeyboard three times. Doing so move the focus over to the right-pointing arrow and opens the submenu, on which you will find theRestart and other commands.