Windows 7: Some very cool little tweaks, (imo)

I don't know if this is common knowledge around here, but I came across what I thought were some very cool and useful registry hacks on the "Tweaking with Vishal" site. I especially liked this one that lets you pick and choose to separately add (or later uninstall) lots of useful system shortcuts like Control Panel, Task Manager, Device Manager, etc., (with icons) in the "Computer" right click context menu.

So your Computer right click context menu could look like the screen shot below if you added all of them. But you can add or remove each one separately which I think is nice. Maybe this is old hat to most of you but I thought it was cool.

Anyway, here's the link to the page that further describes this procedure and contains the link to download the .reg files.

Thanks harpua, I just downloaded it and added a few of them to my context menu.

I've never understood the need to install and use such simple programs to carry out the simplest of tasks, or use 3rd party programs to do what you can in Windows already, like my sister for example, Windows own picture viewer wasn't enough so she installed her camera software, then when she had pictures developed, installed the Kodak software, then had some developed at Boots, so installed that too.

I just thought I should point out in response to your post that the little tweak mentioned here doesn't involve installing any applications, "simple" or otherwise. It merely involves some .reg files that implement some simple registry tweaks, that merely provide convenient links to some native windows utilities.

Second, if you don't find this useful, that's perfectly fine. It's clearly not everyone's cup of tea.

There are obviously many different ways to accomplish the same tasks in Windows. It amounts to personal preference which way or what program one elects to use. Obviously, some simple 3rd party apps are better than others. Some are certainly not worth installing, but quite a few of them are, at least, imo.

For example, imo, windows own picture viewer (to use the app you mentioned) is woefully deficient compared to a free 3rd party app like Faststone Image viewer. It's one of the first things I install after taking care of security apps. Of course, YMMV. You may prefer the native windows photo app.

A few others I prefer to the native windows solution include: Acronis TI Home (for backup), MPC-HC x64 (w AC3 Filter) (for video player), AIMP2 latest rc (for audio player), Comodo Internet Security (for the firewall only), and there probably are others that I can't think of atm. But this illustrates one of the great things about the windows platform and that is that there are so many interesting and useful choices available.

The primary reason of course is that the included tools are usually the most basic of tools and people need more functionality.

For example, Windows can handle compressed folders automatically...but I always install 7zip instead as it can handle more file types (rar, zip, 7z, bzip, gzip, etc) as well as do things like create self-extracting EXE files.

Windows has the ability to burn files to cd...but standalone 3rd party burner tools like ImgBurn give you the ability to actually create ISO files and the like which are helpful from time to time.

Oh yes, Imgburn, 7Zip, and Winrar, are a few more of my favorite augmentations to Windows.

Perhaps I spoke too soon eh. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need for little programs like Winrar, Winamp, Office 2007 and when I think about it, quite a few more, but still think certain Windows apps are sufficient enough for a lot of users.

Just keep in mind that the converse is true as well..

No you didn't speak too soon. It's just that you picked an inappropriate thread to make your initial comment because the tweak at issue here does not involve installing any additional apps or replacing any native windows utilities or functions, which is what your initial post was about or seemed to assume. On the contrary, this tweak merely provides another, arguably more convenient, way of accessing some native windows utilities or functions.

Harpua,

You are only creating shortcuts to commands that are already there which is a good thing for some people however, most people just use the run command and typing the function you require.. Its always been that way.

But hey its just personal preference.

~Mike