| Configuration change |
How? |
Why? |
|
| 1. |
enable ClearType | Choose Display in the Control Panel. Click on the Appearance tab, and click on the Effects… button. Make sure the checkbox Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts is checked, and choose the option ClearType. Click Ok to save your settings. | Jakob Nielsen, a top human-computer interaction expert, estimates that you can read 25% faster using ClearType. |
| 2. |
enable automatic Windows updates | Right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties. Click on the Automatic Updates tab and enable the checkbox Keep my computer up to date. Adjust other settings to your preferences and click Ok. | Automatic Updates regularly accesses the Microsoft Website and alerts you to patches and updates you should install. Installing patches improves your computer’s defenses against viruses. |
| 3. |
disable animated search character | Click on Start, then Search. In the Search Companion pane on the left, click on Change preferences. Set search to search without the animated screen character. | The animated screen character is highly annoying. |
| 4. |
turn of dynamic menus in Office XP | Start Microsoft Word. Right-click in the Toolbar area and select Customize. Click the Options tab and select the Always show full menus check box. | This setting forces Microsoft Office to display full menus and options at all times. |
| 5. |
use small icons in Start menu | Right-Click the Start button, and choose Properties. On the Start Menu tab, click on Customize. Select Small icons as the icon size for programs. | Small icons use much less space than larger icons, and are still recognizable. |
| 6. |
enable the Quick Launch toolbar | Right-click in an empty area of the Taskbar, move your mouse to Toolbars, and make sure Quick Launch is checked. | The Quick Launch toolbar provides one-click access to commonly used programs. |
| 7. |
use a blank screen saver | Choose Display in the Control Panel. Click on the Screen Saver tab and select the Blank screen saver. Click Ok to save your configuration change. | A blank screensaver allows the power-saving features built into most computer monitors to kick in. |
| 8. | enable opening of files by using a single-click | Start Windows Explorer and choose Tools -> Folder Options. On the General tab, select Single-click to open an item, and Underline icon titles consistent with my browser. Click Ok to save your configuration change. | Saves one click for every file-opening operation. |
| 9. | disable the IP messaging service | Click on Start and select Run. Type services.msc and press Ok. Double-click on the Messenger service and press Stop. From the Startup type list, choose Disabled. Click Ok to save your configuration change. | Closes a loophole for hacker and spam attacks. Does not interfere with Windows Messenger. |
| 10. | configure Windows XP to use your favorite search engine for Internet searches | Click on Start, then Search. In the Search Companion pane on the left, click on Change preferences. Click on Change Internet search behavior. Select the Default Search Engine of your choice. | Changes the default Internet search engine from MSN to one of your preference. |
Additional material:
- Graven MP, The Windows Survival Guide, PC Magazine, August 19, 2003 (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1202340,00.asp)
- Fisco R, Freed L, Gottesman B et al. Make Windows Work Better, PC Magazine, November 5, 2002 (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,570867,00.asp)
| University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. All contents copyright (C) 2003. All rights reserved. |
| Created: September 23, 2003 Revised: September 23, 2003 |
| Center for Dental Informatics - Comments to author: cdi@pitt.edu |