I remain partial to Windows 7 because I believe that it is quite polished and very efficient as an operating system. Still, it is far from perfect. That is why we are here to present you some tips and tricks on how you can optimize your experience and help you make the most of Microsoft’s latest operating system.

Slow Computer? Turn Off Aero Transparency

The Aero interface is a big factor in the UI aesthetics of Windows 7. However, it can also take its toll in terms of memory usage. For laptops with lower RAM or lower-spec netbooks, here one trick you can use to speed up Windows 7: turn off Aero transparency. It might not be a big load off your memory usage, but it will still help especially when you need a boost to help your applications or games run smoother.

The New Wonders of WordPad

There have been many improvements made to basic accessories, not the least of which is to the oft-neglected WordPad. Scoring licenses for MS Office isn’t cheap, after all. Hardcore writers shouldn’t fret, however, because the built-in WordPad in Windows 7 can handle every document format you will need. Yes, not only can it read rich-text format and normal text and Word documents, it can also handle Word 2007 documents as well as the OpenDocument format (.odt) found in such open-source office suites such as OpenOffice Writer.

Window Docking

One thing I envied my Mac-toting friends for was how they could easily dock and cluster their windows on OS X. After switching to Windows 7 from XP, I could now do the same! Window management has never been easier. Just drag your windows to either edge of your screen to dock it to the left or to the right. You can also use the shortcuts. Windows button + Left arrow docks windows to the left, while Windows button + right arrow docks windows to the right. You can also drag windows to the upper edge to maximize them without hitting the window’s maximize button.

The Tale of the Taskbar

The taskbar is an integral component of any computer operating system. Up until XP, people usually had the Quick Launch toolbar along with active programs on the taskbar. This time around, programs can be manipulated in and out of the taskbar to serve as shortcuts, optimizing time as well as organization.
The taskbar also sports Jump Lists, which can be accessed by right-clicking on the taskbar icon of a particular program. You’ll usually get a quickstart list showing recently-opened files for that program, so you can easily resume writing a Word document or watching the last movie you opened on the Media Player.

There’s also a vertical rectangle beside the clock at the bottom right hand corner of the taskbar. You can press this to show the desktop, or hover over it to peek at your desktop while you have any windows open. It’s a fast and neat way to replace the Show Desktop button from the old Quicklaunch toolbar.

Managing Program Compatibility

Windows 7, being a new OS, will most certainly pose some problems when it comes to running older programs. The good news is that Windows 7 has a built-in tool that helps you manage compatibility of every program.

Here’s how: Just right-click on the icon of the program you’re having a problem with and select “troubleshoot compatibility.” You will then be asked to try and run the program using settings for a previous operating system (Vista, XP SP2, etc.) and a step-by-step process that helps identify permissions and other settings so that your program will be able to run smoothly on Windows 7.