Windows 7 Annoyances is not documentation; you can get that anywhere. Rather, it’s a unique and thorough collection of solutions, hacks, and time-saving tips to help you get the most from your PC.
Although you certainly don’t need to read the chapters in order, the solutions and chapters are arranged so that you can progress easily from one topic to the next, expanding your knowledge and experience as you go. You should be able to jump to any topic as you need it, but if you find that you don’t have the proficiency required by a particular solution, such as familiarity with the Registry, you can always jump to the appropriate section (Chapter 3, in the case of the Registry).
There are nine chapters and two appendixes, as follows:
- Chapter 1, Get Started with Windows 7
Get the low-down on what’s special about Windows 7 and what’s annoying. Learn how to install (or reinstall) the operating system in a variety of scenarios, how to set up a virtual machine, and how to get the Ultimate edition goodies if you’re stuck with a lesser version.
- Chapter 2, Shell Tweaks
Customize Windows Explorer, the desktop, the Start menu, and the Search tool to be less annoying and more useful. Then, uncover a host of window management tricks and shortcuts, improve the Search tool, improve your experience with multiple monitors, and put the kibosh on the green ribbon of death.
- Chapter 3, The Registry
Dive inside Windows’ giant database of settings and system configuration data, and learn about the various tools you can use to explore, hack, and manage this valuable resource. Protect your file types, export settings to other PCs, and back up your registry.
- Chapter 4, Video, Audio, and Media
Make Windows better at playing videos, displaying color, recording TV, organizing photos, and burning CDs and DVDs.
- Chapter 5, Performance
Speed up your PC and get it to work better. Get Glass on older PCs, start your computer in less time, make your laptop battery last longer, and manage your hard disk space.
- Chapter 6, Troubleshooting
Learn what to do when Windows won’t start, when applications crash, and when Windows can’t set up your new hardware. Deal with the Blue Screen of Death, get shadow copies to work, and finally fix that nagging printer problem.
- Chapter 7, Networking and Internet
Get your local network up and running, get your wireless working (safely), and connect to the Internet. Once you’ve connected, close all of Windows 7’s backdoors, and then improve your experience with the Web and email.
- Chapter 8, Users and Security
Protect your privacy and your data with permissions, encryptions, and user account management. Tame the User Account Control (UAC) prompt, customize your login, share your files and printers with others on your network, and find out why easier is not always better with Homegroups.
- Chapter 9, Command Prompt and Automation
Automate Windows, Command Prompt Batch files, Task Scheduler, and the Windows PowerShell. Explore the good ol’ DOS commands still used in the Command Prompt, not to mention the times when Windows won’t start.
- Appendix A
This is a brief glossary of the often-neglected motherboard settings that can significantly affect the stability and performance of your PC.
- Appendix B
Look up common network port numbers, used to identify data traveling on a network (or over the Internet), and essential for configuring and securing your network.
Get Windows 7 Annoyances now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
