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- Vista Tweaks –
User Interface
Microsoft Windows Vista might be a new operating system, but there are many
“tweaks” for it already. They make your experience with Vista more
enjoyable. There is sure to be one you can use right away. The following are
user interface tweaks suggested by fellow Vista users.
Network Icon Animation
There is a Network and Sharing Center icon in your system tray that permits
you to connect and disconnect your network connections and see your
connection status. You can animate the icon with a simple tweak, that you
will see when you are actively transferring data through your connections.
Tweak –
Right-click on the network icon.
Select: “Turn On Activity Animation”.
- Start Menu Power
Buttons Customized
Windows Vista has two new power buttons on the start menu that act
differently than in earlier versions of Windows. The main button that
resembles a power button – puts your system to sleep. It does not turn it
off completely. The second button locks your system. You can customize them
to work the way you want.
Tweak –
Click on the Start Menu,
Type in “power options” and
Hit “Enter”,
Click on “Choose What Power Buttons Do” on the side menu.
Configure the button.
Hit “Save Changes”.
Pop-up Balloon Tips Disabled
Windows Vista has pop-up tips coming up all over the interface, but you can
stop them from ever showing up again.
Tweak –
Click on the Start Menu,
Type in “gpedit.msc” and
Hit “Enter”,
Expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates and Start Menu and
Taskbar.
Select “Remover Balloon Tips on Start Menu Items”,
Right click on it,
Select “Properties”,
Select “Enable”,
Hit “OK”
Close Group Policy Editor.
Alternative Logon Screen Enabled
Microsoft has taken away the older style logon screen preventing you from
using “CTRL+ALT+Delete” to get to the box for logging on using your username
and password. You can enable the alternative logon screen to get back this
feature.
Tweak –
Click on the Start Menu,
Type in “secpol.msc and
Hit “Enter”.
Find your way through Local Policies and Security Options,
Find and right click on “Interactive Logon: Do Not Display Last User Name”
and
Select “Properties”,
Select “Enable”,
Hit “OK”.
Close Local Security Policy Editor.
Log off and you will see the new logon screen.
Note: if you are logging into a local computer account, sign in with “\local_username”.
If you are logging into a domain sign in with “domain\username”.
Enable Vista Glass on Compatible Hardware
If your system has a video card that uses WDDM drivers and supports DirectX
9c, but does not permit you to use Vista glass – there is a way to make Aero
run.
Tweak –
Click on the Start Menu,
Type in “regedit”,
Hit “Enter”.
Find your way through HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Windows and
DWM.
Set Composition to 1 and
CompositionPolicy to 2.
Restart the DWM by typing “net stop uxsms” and “net start uxsms” at command
prompt.
Stop Security Center Notifications
Windows Vista Security Center will notify you, but these notifications can
be stopped. You can disable the Security Center messages.
Tweak –
Click on the Security Center/Windows Security Alerts logo located in the
system tray.
Click “Change the Way Security Center Alerts Me”.
Select “I do Not Want Notification Messages From Security Center”.
Get Rid of File Deletion Confirmation
You can cut down on the amount of prompts that you see when deleting files
by disabling the delete file confirmation box.
Tweak –
Right click on your Recycle Bin located on your desktop.
Select “Properties”,
Uncheck “Display Delete Confirmation Dialog”, located on bottom of window.
Hit “OK”.
Note: You will no longer see a confirmation when deleting any files that are
not UAC protected. This permits you to get rid of files without any
confirmation. If by accident you delete a file you need, you can restore it
from the Recycle Bin.
As with any
tweaks – always do a backup first and proceed with caution!
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