A couple of cool tips for Windows 7

By | November 26, 2011
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1. Add an additional pane to Windows Explorer

In Windows Explorer, activate an additional file preview pane to the right side of the window with this new shortcut. This panel is great for previewing images in your photos directory or for moving files from one directory to another.

Windows + + (plus key)
Windows + – (minus key)

2. Access hidden themes and wallpaper in Windows 7

When you first install Windows 7, it asks for your language, time and currency. If you choose United States, for example, the available desktop backgrounds and themes will include a United States section with scenery from U.S. locations.

Did you know there are many hidden background and themes from other English-speaking countries, like Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada? There are, and you can access them easily by following this tip.

1. Click Start and in the search box at the bottom type C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT and press Enter.

2. Windows Explorer will open and display a list of subfolders under C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT: MCT-AU, MCT-CA, MCT-GB, MCT-US, and MCT-ZA. Each subfolder has wallpapers for a specific country: AU for Australia, CA for Canada, GB for Great Britain, US for the United States, and ZA for South Africa.

For any of the countries whose wallpaper and themes you want to use, go into its Theme folder, for example, C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT\MCT-CA\Theme. Double-click the theme you see there (for example CA).

Windows 7 Canada theme
A Canada theme, ready to use.
Click to view larger image.

3. A shortcut will be installed to theme and wallpapers in the Personalization section of Control Panel.

Now you can use any of the countries themes you added. You’ll be able to use all the additional themes and wallpapers just by right-clicking the desktop, choosing Personalize, and choosing a background or theme. Each country you added will be listed in their own section.

4 thoughts on “A couple of cool tips for Windows 7

  1. Norma Bryson

    I tried your windows 7 tips. None would work on my computer. I have windows 7 home edition. Any ideas why these wouldn’t work for me. The tip for the hidden themes actually shut my computer down when I did what you said to do.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      The number one reason tips we’ve tested won’t work for some people are;

      1. They do not have admin privileges
      2. No following instructions very carefully

      These tips work on all versions of Windows 7 except “Starter”

      Reply
  2. Robert Nall

    At work, snipping tool is pinned to my W7 taskbar. I recently installed W7Pro at home on a fresh drive, and the only way I’ve found to use Snipping Tool is thru Help and Support. No way yet to pin anywhere. I’d prefer it pinned to my Start menu. Is it available somewhere? Maybe on the W7Install disk?

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      Type SnippingTool.exe in your start menu search. When it appears at the top, right-click it and choose “Pin to taskbar”.

      Reply

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