Windows 7 Advanced Articles

Windows 7 Advanced Help For PC Users

Hardware

Working with the Device Manager

The Device Manager allows you to manage device drivers, modify hardware settings, and check to see if hardware is working correctly.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the Hardware and Sound shortcut.
4. Click the Device Manager shortcut under Devices and Printers.
5. Click the arrow next to a device type to view the specific device information.
6. Select a device and click the buttons on the toolbar to manage the device.(Note that any changes you make may affect the way a device functions.)
7. Optional: To change the view, click on the View menu, and select Devices by type, Devices by connection, Resources by type, or Resources by connection from the resulting menu.
8. Click the Close button.

Installing a Printer

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the Hardware and Sound shortcut.
4. Click the Add a printer shortcut under Devices and Printers.
5. Select Add a local printer or Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer.
6. Click the Next button.
7. Follow the wizard to install the printer.

Setting a Default Printer

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the Hardware and Sound shortcut.
4. Click the Devices and Printers shortcut.
5. Right-click the printer you want to set as default.
6. Select Set as default printer from the resulting menu.(A green checkmark will appear above the printer that is set as default.)
7. Click the Close button.

Programs

Uninstalling a Program

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the Uninstall a program shortcut under Programs.
4. Select the program you want to uninstall.
5. Click the Uninstall/Change button.
6. Follow instructions in the dialog box that appears.
7. Click the Close button.

Power Options

Working with Power Options

You can make changes to power options to improve computer performance or conserve energy.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the Hardware and Sound shortcut.
4. Click the Power Options shortcut.
5. Select Balanced, High performance, or Power saver.
6. Optional: To change settings for the power option, click the Change plan settings shortcut next to the plan you select. Select options and click the Save changes button.
7. Click the Close button when you are finished.

Changing the Power Button Function

By default, when you click the Power button the computer shuts down.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the Hardware and Sound shortcut.
4. Click the Power Options shortcut.
5. Click the Choose what the power button does shortcut.
6. Click the When I press the power button button.
7. Select an option from the resulting menu.
8. Click the Save changes button.
9. Click the Close button.

Accessibility

Working with the Magnifier

The Magnifier is an accessibility tool that makes the screen easier to read for users with impaired vision. Magnifier creates a separate window with a magnified section.

1. Click the Start button and select All Programs.
2. Select Accessories, and select Ease of Access.
3. Select Magnifier from the resulting menu.
4. Do any of the following on the Magnifier toolbar:
a.)To zoom in, click the Zoom in button until the screen is the size you want.
b.)To zoom out, click the Zoom out button until the screen is the size you want.
c.)To change the view, click the arrow on the Views box and select the view you want from the resulting menu.
d.)To change Magnifier options, click the Options button, make selections, and click the OK button.
5. Click the Close button on the Magnifier toolbar when you are finished.
Note: If you click in the document and begin working while the Magnifier is open, the Magnifier toolbar will become a ghosted magnifying glass. Click in the glass to display the Magnifier toolbar again.

Troubleshooting

Viewing System Information

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right pane of the Start menu.
3. Click the System and Security shortcut.
4. Click the System shortcut.
5. Click the Close button when you are finished.

Using System Restore

System Restore can be used to return your computer to an earlier point.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right pane of the Start menu.
3. Click the System and Security shortcut.
4. Click the Backup and Restore shortcut.
5. Click the Recover systems settings on your computer shortcut.
6. Click the Open System Restore button.
7. Click the Next button.
8. Follow the instructions in the wizard, and click the Finish button.
9. Click the Yes button to continue.
10. Click the Close button.

Defragmenting Your Hard Drive

Disk Defragmenter is a utility that can be used to repair fragmented files and make your computer run more efficiently.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select All Programs.
3. Select Accessories
4. Select System Tools
5. Select Disk Defragmenter from the resulting menu.
6. Do any of the following:
a.) To set Disk Deframenter to run on a schedule, click the Configure schedule button. Check the Run on a schedule (recommended) box. Make changes to the schedule, and click the OK button when you are finished.
b.) To check to see if your disks need defragmenting, click the Analyze disk button.
c.) To defragment your computer, click the Defragment disk button.
7. Click the Close button when you are finished.

Security

Checking Security Settings

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the System and Security shortcut.
4. Click the Action Center shortcut.
5. Click the Security heading.
6. When you are finished viewing security information, click the Close button.

Changing Windows Firewall Settings

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the System and Security shortcut.
4. Click the Windows Firewall shortcut.
5. Do any of the following:
a.) To change what is allowed through the Firewall, click the Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall shortcut. Click the Change settings button. Check the boxes for the programs or features you want to communicate through the Firewall. Click the OK button.
b.) To change Firewall settings, click the Change notification settings shortcut. Make selections and click the OK button.
c.) To restore Firewall settings to their default, click the Restore defaults shortcut in the left pane. Click the Restore defaults button. Click the Yes button.
6. Click the Close button.

Changing User Account Control Settings

User Account Control prevents unauthorized changes to your computer. When you try to make certain changes, the User Account Control dialog box will appear asking you for your permission to continue. Note: Actions that require User Account Control will be marked with a shield icon.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel from the right side of the Start menu.
3. Click the System and Security shortcut.
4. Click the Action Center shortcut.
5. Click the Change User Account Control settings shortcut.
6. Click and drag the slider to select notification options.
7. Click the OK button.
8. Click the Yes button.
9. Click the Close button.