Make It More Secure
When Windows 7 was first unveiled, it was described as "Vista, but better" in many areas, and security is one of them. Windows 7 includes a host of features to protect your system and all of your data. It eases up on the annoying number of User Account Control pop-ups, and improves on protecting your data and the use of applications.
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Applocker
39. Control what applications are used. A feature called AppLocker adds another layer of protection that limits the use of applications to a known list of safe programs. You can even set up rules for authorized applications to cover all future versions of a file so you don't have to reconfigure AppLocker for updated software. Launch AppLocker by typing GPEDIT.MSC in Start Search and press Enter, then navigate to Computer Configuration | Windows Settings | Security Settings | Application Control Policies | AppLocker. From here you select Executable Rule, Windows Installer Rule and Script Rule. Then you can choose to apply this rule by Publisher, File hash or Path. Choosing Publisher, for instance, will whitelist all apps from a specific digital signature, which will cover software updates as well. Choosing Path will restrict the execution of programs to a directory path.
40. Protect your data in the event your system goes missing. If you ever lose your laptop, you can rest assured that unauthorized users can't recover your hard-disk data by using BitLocker, a feature included in Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate editions. BitLocker will protect your data as long as your computer was powered off when it went missing. Recovering data requires access to the BitLocker keys or passwords associated with the locked volumes. Thankfully, locating recovery passwords and keys with Windows 7 is much easier than with the tools in Windows Vista. Make sure your BitLocker keys and passwords are backed up by going to Computer Configuration | Windows Settings | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | BitLocker Drive Encryption. Then choose the protected drive within the Operating System Drives node. Configure BitLocker so that passwords and keys are backed up to Active Directory when BitLocker protection is activated, by enabling the following settings: Save BitLocker recovery information to AD DS for OS drives settings, and Do not enable BitLocker until recovery information is stored in AD DS for OS drives.
41. Encrypt your removable drives. Windows 7's new Bit- Locker To Go feature lets you protect removable drives without the need to buy special software. Be sure to carefully save the 40-digit recovery key, so you won't lose access even if you forget the passphrase. And bear in mind that the encrypted drive will open in read-only mode on pre-Windows 7 computers. Also, while only Enterprise and Ultimate editions can create BTG-encrypted drives, other editions can use them once created.
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Parental Controls
42. Keep your kids safe. Windows 7's Parental Controls let you limit how much computer time children have, their access to programs and games, and the times they can use certain programs. Access Parental Controls from the Control Panel | User Accounts and Family Safety. Then select or create a non-admin account for your child to use and select what restrictions you wish to impose on that account. For added protection you can download the free Windows Live Family Safety, which lets you filter Web sites and monitor your child's activities while he or she is online.
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System Restore
43. Re wind your system if it bugs out. If you come across a nagging bug in your computer system you can't quite figure out how to fix, System Restore can be a big help. System Restore returns your PC's system files and programs to a time when everything was working fine, before any problems arose. To use it select the Recovery option from the Action Center then select what restore point you want to use. Windows 7 will give you a clear idea of what collateral damage may result from a restore, as it lists all programs and drivers that would be removed or restored by returning to a particular restore point.
44. Back up on a regular schedule. Window 7's Backup and Restore Center feature lets you select folder, libraries, and drives to backup on a regular schedule. To use it click Back Up Your Computer from the Control Panel. From there you can back up files to an external drive, network, or DVD. You can change the backup schedule or manually backup files at any time.—
Print With It
Getting your current printer to work in Windows 7 will prove to be either a piece of cake or all but impossible. The newer your printer is, the more likely it is to work with Windows 7. And because Windows 7 is much more like Windows Vista under the hood than Vista was like Windows XP, any printer with a Vista driver is likely to work with Windows 7 using the Vista driver. The best approach to installing your printer in Windows 7 depends on what drivers and downloads are available for it, and from where.
45. Look for Windows 7 Printer Drivers If you're installing Windows 7 as an upgrade to a Vista system that already has your printer drivers installed, and the Windows 7 disc includes drivers for your printer, the new drivers will be installed as part of the upgrade. (Microsoft recommends that you make sure the printers are on during the upgrade installation) If you're doing a fresh install, they won't be. In the first case, you should use Windows Update to check for newer drivers, and then test the printer to find out if the drivers support all of the features you need. If not, go to the manufacturer's Web site and look for a download for your printer for Windows 7. For a fresh install, start by downloading the Windows 7 driver, or driver plus software package from the manufacturer's Web site.
46. Use Vista Drivers If you can't find specific support for Windows 7 for your printer, try installing the printer's Vista drivers and software, assuming there are Vista drivers and software to install. Unfortunately, installing a Vista driver isn't always easy. I ran into an issue with one of the HP printers in my tests, with the installer checking the Windows version and refusing to run.
47. Run in Vista Compatibility Mode If you run into a problem with a Vista installation routine, you may be able to get around it by running the installation program in Windows Vista compatibility mode. Right-click on the installation program's filename, choose Properties, and then the Compatibility tab. Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for: check box, and choose Windows Vista, Windows Vista (Service Pack 1), or Windows Vista (Service Pack 2). Apply the changes, choose OK to close the dialog box, and then run the program.
48. Manually Add Printer Drivers If the Vista installation program won't work, you may still be able to install the Vista printer driver—but not scan drivers or other software—through the Windows Add Printer Wizard. Go to Devices and Printers, choose Add a printer, and work your way through the wizard. When you get to printer options, choose Have disk, navigate to the folder with the driver, and select the printer's INF file.
49. Install Network Printers Locally If the printer is on a network, you may need to tell the Add Printer wizard that you're installing a local printer, use LPT 1 as the port it's connected to, and then change the port setting after the driver is installed. To change the port, go to Devices and Printers, right-click on the printer name, and choose Printer Properties. Then choose the Ports tab and the Add Port button. In most cases, you'll want to highlight Standard TCP/IP Port, choose the New Port button, and then work your way through the rest of the wizard screens, entering the Printer's IP address in the appropriate dialog box.
50. Try a Universal Printer Driver If there are no Vista drivers for your printer, or if the Vista drivers don't work with Windows 7, try a Windows 7 universal print driver (UPD), but only if your printer uses either of the most common page-description languages (PDLs)—PCL or PostScript. A UPD can provide basic printing support for almost any printer that uses the right PDL for the driver. It may or may not support additional features, like duplexing or output sorting.