100 vista tips and tricks

 Finding your computer IP address on a Windows Vista Computer is not the same as on a Windows XP computer. On Windows XP you just have to double click on the network connections icon and then press on status. There are a few more clicks to do in Windows Vista. Watch this video tutorial to see how to find your computer IP address.

If you are using Microsoft word 2007 you will notice that it is considerably different to the old word 2003. For starters the entire top menu does not look like the old one, and the menu is now called a ribbon menu. Each tab in Word 2007 is now called a ribbon. So for example, if you choose the Home ribbon you will see all the menu items that fall under this ribbon. Because of the huge difference between Word 2003 and Word 2007, we now need a whole new entire set of Word Tips and tricks to suit 2007.

Add shortcut icons to your Quick Access toolbar in Microsoft Word 2007

How to use and show all keyboard shortcuts in Word 2007

How to save a word 2007 document to be compatible with Word 97-2003

How to enable or show the developers tab in Microsoft Word 2007

Change UPPERCASE text to lowercase in Word 2007

Sometimes when you have a really nice wallpaper on your desktop, having desktop icons on top of it just ruins the picture. Therefore I like to remove or hide the desktop icons so you can see the whole wallpaper on your screen with no ugly icons.

Watch this video to see how to show or hide your desktop icons.

Hi guys,

I just downloaded and tried Everyday Jigsaw for Windows Vista and it is very addictive. If you love doing jigsaws then this is a free game to download. It lets you make your own jigsaw with your own pictures. There are also different  jigsaws to do everyday. You will need an internet connection to get the new jigsaws everyday.

If you want to download extra jigsaws to do it will cost money. Here is a jigsaw I made with this free program.

Everday jigsaw

This is what it looked like when I started to try and do the jigsaw…Could I have picked a harder picture???

There is nothing worse than wanting to connect to a wireless network but not knowing if there are any available. Its ok if you have the wireless network connection icon in the notification area, however if you do not, you would even know if there was a network available. In fact there may be more than one network for you to choose from.

In Windows Vista, to see what wireless networks are available to connect to is very easy. And yes, this is probably easier than Windows XP.

How to find a wireless network to connect to?

The first way is to simply double click on the network connections icon in the notification area in the task bar. Then choose to go to the network and sharing center. When you have opened the Network and sharing center there is a link in the left sidebar that says connect to a network.

The second way is what you have to do if there is no wireless network connections icon in the notification area. Still simple though.

1. Go to the start menu. Choose control panel.
2. Double click on the Network and Sharing center icon.
3. click on the link in the left sidebar that says connect to a network.

Watch this video to see more details about how to find a wireless network to connect to.

Also note that even though you see a network on the list, you may not be able to connect to it. It may require a WEP key (password) to connect to the wireless network. In fact it could have a number of security measures to pass before connecting.

If you have been using Windows Vista for a while now you would have realised that there is no gpedit.msc available!!! The only versions that have group policy are Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Professional ,Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Server “Longhorn”.

Unfortunely if you have Windows Vista home basic or Windows Vista Home premium then you have missed out on the pleasure of accessing your local group policy. Of course they are other ways to change settings that usually were in group policy, however they are all labour intensive.

I have nothing against Vista, however why downgrade a feature that was readily available in the last few additions of Windows XP. Unfortunely if you are a group policy junkie like me, you will just have to upgrade to the next Windows Vista edition that does allow access to gpedit.msc.

In Windows vista you can simply double click on a zipped file or folder to see the contents and if you wish to extract the contents you can. All you have to do is press on extract from the top menu.

With Window vista you do not need to install an extra program to unzip a file.

DVDs and information about the teacher at http://www.alaskafilmstudios.com/cotu.html

This video tutorial covers the three main basic tips for Windows Vista.

Basic tips and tricks included in this video tutorial:

1. Turn off the user account control
2. Customize your start menu to a classic style
3. How to customize the Windows Vista gadget siderbar

About the Author: DVDs and information about the teacher at http://www.alaskafilmstudio.com
I show you three tips in this tutorial to help you with Vista. Beginner’s level tutorial.

No one wants to enter thier username or password in everyitme they want to use the computer. Especially if it is a home computer that has not got important information to protect. Logging in to your user account atromatically is a lazy persons dream, however it also makes it easy for anyone to login to your computer. This removes your password protection, so when the computer is turned on it goes straight inot the user account that it was programmed to open.

How to set an account to open automatiacally:

1. In Windows Vista fo to the start menu.
2. Choose run from the menu or go to the search bar at the botton.
3. Type in control userpasswords2 and press enter.
4. The User Accounts window will appear. (screenshot below)
5. Now select a user name by making it blue.
6. Remove the tick in the box next to Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.
7. Press apply. You will be asked to enter the password for this account. If there is no password then leave it blank.
8. Press ok and exit.
9. Restart your computer and it will login to that account automatically.
10. If you wish to change the account to login to then return and selct the user account that is on automatic, tick the box again, then start from scratch to change the settings to another account.

Login to your user account automatically

• There can only be one account to login to at any one time. You must turn it off to turn another account on.  

Sometimes a cool feature can be staring you in the face. However if you are an explorer like me then you would have already realised that in Windows Vista there is a new enhanced volume control mixer.

Where is the Windows Vista Volume control?

The volume icon is usually in the notification area in the task bar in the right hand corner of your screen.
How to show the volume control icon in the notification area on the taskbar:

If it is not there see how to Add or remove icons from your Windows Vista notification area This article will help you bring back the volume control icon.

How to change the volume on each individual program in Windows Vista:

All you have to do is click the volume icon in your system tray, and then click on the word Mixer at the bottom. Then you will see your different programs listed each with a different volume control.

Watch this video tutorial on how to change the volume of individual programs in Windows Vista.