Some computer tips and tricks vol5

How to make the task bar autohide

1. Click the right button on a blank area of the task bar
2. Select Properties
3. Select Autohide
4. Click OK

This will make the task bar slide off the screen when the cursor moves away from it,
and it will slide back on when the cursor is moved near it again.

The same can be done for the MS Office task bar. The "sliding" effect is nice, and can free up some desktop space.

More Removing Shortcut Arrows

'lnkfile', 'piffle' and 'internetshortcut' are the three places
that I have seen the isshortcut arrow.
The best way to deal with this is to rename the 'isshortcut' to
'isshortcutbak' by right clicking on the 'isshortcut' then
select rename and add 'bak' to the end.


Closing Nested Folders

If you have several nested folders (folders within folders) and want to close them all,
simply, hold the Shift key while closing the last folder
This will close all previous ones as well.

Changing Application Icons

To have a wider choice of application icons:

1. Right click on the icon shortcut
2. Chose Properties
3. Click on the Program tab
4. Chose Change icon
5. Click on Browse
6. Select Files of type All Files
7. Browse to the directory where your icon files are kept
8. You can even use some bitmap files for you icons

Moving and Resizing the Taskbar

You can move the taskbar by pointing on a corner panel and dragging it
It is easier to move if you close all your windows first

You can also resize it by moving the mouse to the edge and dragging it larger or smaller.

Correcting Corrupted Fonts

If you have a problem with your non-true type fonts, here's what you do:

1. Open the Control Panel
2. Double click on Fonts
3. Search for the "Monotype Sorts" font
4. Delete this Font

Changing Desktop Folders - With No Registry Changes

1. From the Explorer, create a folder somewhere OTHER than the desktop, and call it something like "Desktop Folders."
2. Move all your desktop folders into that folder.
3. Create shortcuts to all of those folders on your desktop.
4. Now, you are free to change the icons of each shortcut individually, to anything you like!

Updating the Desktop

If you want to update the desktop, for example after you've been changing the registry.

1. Right-Click anywhere on the desktop
2. Press F5

Adding the Desktop to your Start Menu

Create a shortcut to the Explorer on your Desktop

1. Right click on the Start button
2. Choose Open
3. Go into the Programs Folder
4. Drag the Windows Explorer Icon on your Desktop using the RIGHT Mouse button
5. Choose copy here

Change the command line switch

1. Right click on the Shortcut you created
2. Choose Properties
3. Choose Shortcut
4. Type in following command line as target:
* C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n, /root,
* The last "," is vital! 
5. If you want the two pane Explorer view ad the switch ,/e
6. Then rename the Shortcut to "Desktop" or whatever you choose and drag the icon onto the start button.