Windows 7 Tweaks, Tips, Mods, Downloads, etc – 996 days old

[ZemaTalon]

Being that most of us are using Windows 7 now for all our Microsoft needs, I thought it was time for a Windows 7 version of what Zammy created for XP. But being that I no longer spend most of my time in Windows, and consequently not as up on all the latest Windows hacks as I used to be, I'll just start off with what I do know of to date, add more later as I find them, and hopefully the rest of ya will chime in with your own finds to really fill this list out.
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Ultimate Windows Tweaker
Ultimate Windows Tweaker a freeware utility like the old Tweak-UI



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God Mode

I think most of you know this but for those that don't.....

Here’s a neat Windows 7 trick that’s been doing the rounds on the Internet. It enables “GodMode,” a term devised by the Microsoft development team, which provides a single place to access all Windows settings without needing to browse options and folders in the Control Panel.

To use it:

1. Create a new folder.
2. GodMode windowRename the folder to

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

(note that you can change the “GodMode” text, but the following period and code number are essential).
3. The folder icon will change — double click it to show the GodMode window:




The window shows nearly 50 sections with quick links to configuration options. Strictly speaking, it’s not a God Mode since all the options are available elsewhere. It’s more akin to an “all tasks” list — but you may find it easier than stumbling through Windows numerous screens and panels.

Big Red Warning!

The trick appears to work on both the 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. Vista 32-bit and Windows Server 2008 32-bit should also work. However, it is known to crash 64-bit versions of Vista — and you may need to boot in safe mode or to the command line to delete the folder.

And after creating and entering the folder on my machine, this is what it looks like:



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More Screen Savers
I've enjoyed the Gnome Skyrockets screen saver in Linux for years, and to my surprise there's a Windows version that looks identical. The guy who created it has also created a number of other cool screen savers for Windows at Really Slick Screensavers. Look for the comprehensive single download of all his screen savers at the top of the download page under the heading "Current release for Windows" in order to be sure of getting versions with good Windows 7 support. In Linux with two monitors, Skyrockets runs as two independent copies on each screen, but the Windows version spans both screens, and an explosion near the edge of one screen will spill over to the adjacent screen. There is sound with the explosions, but you can adjust or turn off the volume in the screen saver controls.





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Reliability Monitor
This utility that comes with Windows 7 will show you in a graph how reliable your machine has been over time, going back up to a year. Launch the Reliability Monitor by typing relia into Start Menu Search.



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Good source for more tips and tweaks
Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows is a great resource for Windows 7 tips and tweaks, which he regularly updates.

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Enabling the Run command in your Start Menu
For whatever reason, Microsoft decided to disable the Run command in the Start menu of Windows 7. And although you can use the Search utility at the bottom of the Start menu to locate and run a lot of things, it takes longer and not usable for everything. So here's how to enable the Run command:

Right click on any unoccupied area of your taskbar (not on an icon) and left click on 'Properties'.


Click the 'Start Menu' tab at the top.


Click the 'Customize' button.


Scroll down to the 'Run command' entry, and put a check in the box in front of it, and click the 'OK' button.


Click your Start button to varify that the Run command is now in your Start Menu.


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[Troy]

I like that,ZB.
I never knew that.
Only errors I got are from Firefox.

[Fingerle]

Screen Saver? Whazzat?

[Troy]

Screen Saver? Whazzat?

I think they used to use them about 10 years ago.

[ZemaTalon]

Yeah some of us like that old fashioned stuff

[Alakazam]

One of my favorite places for sorting out all the services that run:

http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/servicecfg.htm

[Scotterpops]

Being that most of us are using Windows 7 now for all our Microsoft needs . . . . .

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

. . . . . . .

Big Red Warning!

The trick appears to work on both the 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. Vista 32-bit and Windows Server 2008 32-bit should also work. . . . .

Thanks for the tip and the big red warning. Turns out some 64-bit Win7 installations choke on God Mode also. No worries though - easily backed out.