Windows 9X Tips #12


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*1. So Long, Log-On Prompt

You can prevent Win9x from prompting for a password at
 start-up-assuming you're not using User Profiles and you're not
 connected to a network. Launch the Network applet from Control
 Panel. On the Configuration tab, select Windows Logon from the
 Primary Network Logon drop-down menu. Click on OK and, when you
 are prompted to restart Windows, click No. Next, launch the
 Passwords applet from the Control Panel, and click on the Change
 Windows Password button. In the Change Windows Password dialog,
 type your current Windows password in the Old Password box.
 Leave both the New Password and the Confirm New Password boxes
 blank, click on OK and then click on OK to confirm. Select the
 User Profiles tab and select "All users of this PC use the same
 preferences and Desktop settings." Click on Close and restart
 Windows. You must restart Windows to execute these changes and
 have them take effect.


*2. Notepad Surprise

Think there's not much to know about Notepad? Think again. For
 example, you can insert the current time and date in  Notepad
 just by pressing F5. Or, if you want to log the date and time
 automatically each time you open a Notepad file, type .LOG on
 the first line, then save and close the file. Every time you
 open the file thereafter, the current date and time will be
 recorded in it.


*3. Reverse Yourself

Sometimes you want to select most, but not all, of the files in a
 folder. Here's the easiest way to do it: Select all the files
 you don't want to select, then choose Invert Selection from the
 Explorer Edit menu.


*4. Size Up Your Files

In Explorer, select Details from the View menu, then click on the
 Size button to see the files listed in file-size order, with the
 biggest files first. Click on the Size button again to see the
 smallest files listed first.


*5.  Your Disk Toolbox

Most of us use the Start menu to find ScanDisk, Disk Defragmenter
 or Backup. But there's a better way. In My Computer, right-click
 on a drive and select Properties. Click on the Tools tab. Here
 you'll get information on the last time you performed each
 operation, with launch buttons for each.


*6. Good Memories

If you ever want to know what's happening with your system's use
 of memory, just select Start/Run and type MEM.


*7. Make Good Time

Double-click on the time in the Taskbar tray to bring up the
 Data/Time Properties dialog. From there you can change your
 system's time and date settings.


*8. Return to the Desktop

Here's a tip for those of you who prefer the keyboard. Sometimes
 you'd like to select items on the desktop, but the desktop isn't
 the currently selected "folder." With your desktop visible,
 Press Ctrl+Esc to bring up the Start menu, hit Esc, then
 Shift+Tab. Now your arrow keys will let you navigate items on
 the desktop.


*9. Clear Start Menu Clutter

Empty the contents of the Documents item on your Start menu by
 selecting Start/Settings/Taskbar and clicking on the Start Menu
 Programs tab. Under Documents menu, click on the Clear button.


*10. Buried Taskbar?

If your taskbar is buried under a pile of open windows, there's a
 permanent fix and a quick but temporary one. The permanent fix
 is to right-click on the taskbar (find a spot where there are no
 tray icons or minimized app or folder buttons), select
 Properties and make sure there's a check mark next to the
 "Always on Top" item. The quick fix is to select Ctrl+Esc.
