Windows 9X Tips #16


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*1. Open This Folder in DOS

Do you frequently open a specific folder as a DOS directory? You
 can automate the process by placing a shortcut in the Windows
 folder. First, create a new shortcut by right-clicking on the
 Desktop. In the Command line field, type command; and in the
 name field, type Open <FOLDER NAME>Directory. Once the shortcut
 is created, right-click on it, select Properties, click on the
 Program tab, and type the path for the DOS directory you want to
 open in the Working field. For example, type \Windows\Favorites
 to open the Favorites folder. If you'd like to see a file
 listing whenever you run the shortcut, type dir /p in the Batch
 file field.


*2. On Your Mark ... Part I

There's an easy way to add accent marks-and other special
 characters-to words like resume and cafe. Open the Character
 Map application (Start/Programs/Accessories in Windows 95,
 Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools in Win98). If Character
 Map isn't installed, you can add it using Control Panel's
 Add/Remove Programs applet. In the drop-down list under Font,
 select the font you're using in your document. In Character Map,
 find the character you need, double-click it to add it to the
 Characters To Copy field, then click on Copy. Return to your
 document, place your cursor where you'd like the character to
 appear (or select a letter to replace) and press Ctrl+V to paste
 the new character.


*3. On Your Mark ... Part II

You can skip Character Map altogether on characters you
 frequently use, and use their keyboard shortcuts instead. The
 Character Map applet shows the shortcut for each character you
 select. The e character, for example, has a keyboard shortcut,
 Alt+0233. To insert a special character this way, turn on Num
 Lock and hold down the Alt key while you type the shortcut
 number using your keyboard's number pad.


*4. Tuck Away the Taskbar

If the taskbar gets in your way, there are a few ways to move or
 hide it. You can move it to the top or sides of your screen by
 dragging and dropping it on the appropriate edge. Wherever the
 taskbar is, right-click on it, choose Properties and check the
 Auto Hide option to make it disappear until you move the mouse
 pointer to the screen edge where it hides. To hide it
 permanently, turn off Auto Hide and drag the taskbar off the
 screen. Its edge will stay visible so you can drag it back again.


*5. Not-So-Private Properties

You can access Control Panel's Network, System and Display
 Properties from the Desktop. Right-click on the Network
 Neighborhood or My Computer icon and select Properties to access
 the Network or System settings, respectively. Right-click on the
 Desktop itself and select Properties to access the Display
 Properties. To quickly access the Properties for any object on
 the Desktop, hold the Alt key and double-click on the object.


*6. Accommodating Columns

If you open a folder in Details view, and part of the file/folder
 information isn't visible because the columns are either
 truncated or too wide for the window size, here's a quick fix:
 Press Ctrl and the Plus (+) key on the numeric keypad. The
 columns will automatically adjust to fit the window or widen to
 display all the information (if your resolution and screen size
 are large enough). In an Explorer window, you may need to select
 the pane first by pressing Tab.


*7. Faster Folders

You can eliminate tedious right-clicks and menu selections when
 you create a new folder by pressing Alt+FWF instead within any
 My Computer, Network Neighborhood or Explorer window (press
 Alt+FNFfor Windows 98). The folder appears instantly,
 highlighted and ready for naming.


*8. Save Your Searches

If you frequently run the same search query within Win9x's Find
 utility, here's how to automate it. Open the Options menu and
 put a check next to Save Results. Run your search and select
 File/Save Search. This places a small FND file icon on your
 Desktop that's automatically named for your search values. To
 access the same search again-including your previous
 results-double-click on the FND icon.


*9. Try to Remember

Win9x has trouble retaining default folder and Explorer window
 settings-such as size, position, sort order, toolbar status and
 display type (large icons, details and so on). Here's a
 temporary workaround. Open the folder for your C: drive, and
 without opening any ot her folders, arrange and configure it
 exactly as you'd like all your folders to appear. When you're
 ready to set the default, press Ctrl+Alt+Shift while you click
 the close box in the upper right-hand corner of the window.
 There's a limit to the number of specific folder instances Win9x
 can remember, so eventually your setting may roll off the list.
 Repeat the steps to restore your settings.


*10. Start Changes

An easy way to make a change to items you've placed in the Start
 menu is to right-click on the Start button and choose Explore. A
 dual-pane Explorer view will open, letting you navigate through
 the directory tree in the left pane and open the contents of the
 folder you want in the right pane. To produce the same view for
 a folder, you can either right-click on the folder and choose
 Explore, or hold down the Shift key and double-click.
