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Basic Windows Dos and Don'ts
Posted 8th November 2006 at 8:30pm by M1ke, tagged as Technology, Tutorial | Commenting Closed

Continuing with my teaching people how to best use their PCs, here are some pointers for general Windows use.

Do This

• When installing new software, always select 'Custom' or words to that effect rather than 'Express'. This should give you the option to choose where software is installed to. As a rule install software into a single folder in 'Program Files'. Example:
  A music player tries to install to 'C:Program FilesPublisherDeveloperMusicMusic Player'
  You should change this to 'C:Program FilesMusic Player'
  Should the piece of software be one that you won't use much and/or have an obscure name (such as some drawing software called 'Super Cool Ping-Pong') then note that in the file ("Super Cool Ping-Pong (Drawing Software)") and make things easier for yourself in future.
• Following on from the previous point, uninstall stuff that you know you'd only use once. If you download and play a game demo then unless you think it's so cool that you would replay it, uninstall once done. It helps keep your drive clean and if you ever wanted to play it again you probably have the downloaded file somewhere. This applies for trial software that's run out and you don't plan to buy, pieces of software that didn't work and other such things. Regardless as to how big your hard disk is you owe it to yourself to make it presentable.
• If something bugs you about a program, look in the program's Options/Settings/Preferences window. Usually there's a way to sort it out.

Don't Do This

• Don't let things put shortcuts on your desktop or on your Quick Launch bar. Start menu entries are fine (that's what it's there for) but you don't always need split-second access to every program you install - pick and choose when you find yourself using a program regularly and it makes both the desktop and Quick Launch lists more efficient.
• Never keep files on your desktop. Use it as a dumping ground by all means, but try and clear them up every few days. For a start it means you'll be able to see your pretty wallpaper more easily, secondly it allows you to find stuff better when needed and thirdly it stops people snooping around as easily.

There are plenty more operating practices specific to other areas (especially the internet) but these are the ones that'll get you through Windows relatively hassle free. The next article will deal with some advanced windows configuration, and then its onto the software you should (and shouldn't) use.

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