Windows 7 Tips
The 14 Best Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts
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The Windows key now performs a wide variety of functions. Here are a handful of the most useful ones: |
Try Out Improved WordPad
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You probably haven't given much thought to WordPad lately, but the version shipping with Windows 7 has undergone a major renovation. Think of it as a lite version of Microsoft Word. WordPad sports a spiffy ribbon interface, making it a snap to create well-formatted documents. Plus, you are no longer relegated to saving them as .RTF files. WordPad now supports the Office Open XML document (.DOCX) format. This makes it even easier to open .DOCX files created in Word in WordPad. |
Be Our Guest
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Guest mode proves a convenient method to give a guest or child access to your computer with limits on making system changes, installing software, or writing to the disk outside the user profile. After the user is done and logs off, data saved inside of the user profile is deleted. You cannot use Guest mode in an AD environment. |
Encrypt USB Sticks. Use BitLocker To Go
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Maybe you've managed to never misplace or lose a USB key, but for the rest of us mere mortals, it's a fact of life. Most of the time it's no big deal, but what if it contains sensitive data? BitLocker To Go enables you to encrypt data on removable storage devices with a password or a digital cetificate stored on a smart card. |
Remove Applications
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Although some applications have been moved off Windows to become an optional download, other apps, such as IE8, Media Player, Media Center and DVD Maker are still included. In times past, especially when it came to IE, the applications were tied into the OS. However, in Windows 7 you can easily remove them if desired. Head to the Program Features applet in Control Panel and select the "Turn Windows features on or off" link in the top left-hand corner. Then you can select the checkbox of the features you want to lose or add for your system. |
Shortcut the Taskbar
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The Windows key is great for shorcuts. You can select the Windows key and a number to correspond to items on your taskbar. So, if IE (for example) is the thrid icon on your taskbar (not counting the Start button), you can hit the Windows key and the number three to launch or open IE. |
Snap That Aero
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The Windows key is great for all your shortcuts. Now you can use it to work with the new AeroSnap feature in Windows 7. Select a window, hit the Windows key and a left or right arrow to snap the window to that half of the screen, or use the up arrow to snap it to the top of the screen. |
Restore Point Previews
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Many of us used to shut off System Restore because we were terrified to actually use it; under Windows7, we can be much calmer. After selecting a Restore Point, Windows will now offer to show you which files and folders will be affected by restoring to that point.
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Record Problems
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The Problem Steps Recorder (PSR) is a great new feature that helps in troubleshooting a system. At times, Remote Assistance may not be possible. However, if a person types psr in their Instant Search, it will launch the recorder. Now they can perform the actions needed to recreate the problem and each click will record the screen and the step. They can even add comments. Once complete, the PSR compiles the whole thing into an MHTML file and zips it up so that it can be e-mailed for analysis to the network admin (or family problem solver, depending on how it's being used).
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Use Windows XP Mode
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Yes, it's only an embedded Virtual PC with a full copy of WinXP-but it's an embedded Virtual PC with a full copy of Windows XP! This is the first profoundly intelligent use of desktop virtualization we've seen-and a great way to move to Windows 7 without giving up full Windows XP compatibility.
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Managed Services FAQs
What is proactive IT?
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Traditionally the IT or computer technical support industry was a break-fix model. Meaning that technical companies were only relied upon during a technical disaster or when issues arose. This was the acceptable way of doing business until technology caught up to logic. The logic was, let’s utilize technology to proactively mitigate downtime and technical problems before they occur. It's a wonderful concept and saves businesses thousands of dollars a year. Since the early 2000's technical support companies have been adopting this new approach and ideology called "Managed Services" to support their clients' technical needs proactively. |
What is SmartTek Managed Helpdesk?
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SmartTek Managed Helpdesk is an all-inclusive flat monthly rate service offered by SDTEK to support our clients' daily technical needs. |
Technical FAQs
How to Modify Your Switchvox Extension Call Rules
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Click on the link to watch the video on how to modify your Switchvox extension call rules: |
How to Modify Your Switchvox User Account
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Click on the link to watch the video on how to modify your switchvox user account: |
How to Login into a Switchvox Phone System
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Click on the link to watch the video on how to login into a Digium Switchvox IP PBX Phone System: |
Dialing from Firefox directly exposed
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Do you use Firefox to browse the Internet? If not, you just may start! Switchvox has released the "Fire Dialer" plug-in for Firefox so that as you are borwsing the web you are able to click-to-dial any phone number within the Firefox broswer. Are you interested is setting this up? |
How to setup a corporate directory within Switchvox
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A common feature for most companies is the corporate directory. This feature allows inbounds callers who do not know the extension of the individual they are trying to reach. By default this is not setup within Switchvox. The video below explains how to enable a dial by name corporate directory. |
How to edit sounds within Switchvox
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We have had a few clients who have requested support to learn how to modify sounds within Switchvox after the initial installation. The video link below explains how to edit sounds in the Switchvox PBX. Adding or editing sounds is needed in order to build functional IVRs. |
How to configure Zoiper with Switchvox
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So you have invested in a new Switchvox phone system and now you are ready to setup a softphone with Switchvox. For those of you who are not sure what a softphone or Zoiper is, let me explain. A softphone is an software application that acts like phone, much like Skype. There are a handful of these applications on the market that are free and Zoiper is one of them. |
How to configure X-Lite with Switchvox
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So you have invested in a new Switchvox phone system and now you are ready to setup a softphone with Switchvox. For those of you who are not sure what a softphone or X-Lite is, let me explain. A softphone is an software application that acts like phone, much like Skype. There are a handful of these applications on the market that are free and X-Lite is one of them. |
How to configure Outlook dialing
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When using a Switchvox PBX, you can configure your computer to click to call any one of your contacts in Outlook. This simplifies the dialing process and minimizes your chances to getting carpal tunnel syndrome. What a great feature! |
Polycom User Guides
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Listed below are the Polycom IP Soundpoint users guides for the most common phones that SDTEK sells. Whether you are looking for the quick start guide or the full user guide for your Polycom model, the link will be listed below. If you have any further questions after reviewing the Polycom guides, feel free to give us a call! Soundpoint IP 331 - Quick Start Guide |
How to setup a Cisco VPN client
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Setting up a Cisco VPN client only consists of a few steps, but for a someone who has never done it before it can be a challenging task. We have put together a simple video walk through for you to follow when setting up a connection entry within the Cisco VPN client. |
