First Timer "must do" things/tips in Windows 7

Which are the things that a beginner in Windows 7 should do so that he will benefit from Windows 7's advantages?

One thing that comes to my mind is the backup upon each modification of a specified file.
In Windows XP, ApexDC++ used to crash a lot a while ago, and the Queue.xml file would have got corrupted easily.
Also, in emule, the .part.met files can get corrupted when the program is stopped due to a restart/crash/forced end task/etc.

I'm also thinking at security. A while ago I've installed by accident a fake Shareaza program. Luckily I had a System Restore point, but things could have gone wrong if the fake program had edited files on the computer.
How do I limit what a program can and can't do in Windows 7?

I'm also curious about your setups, how and what do you configure in order to make your life better in Win7. (multiple accounts with different privileges, 3rd party software, OS tweaks, etc)

Any other tips/things following the "improve your Win7 experience"principle are more than welcome. :)

Make sure your virus/malware definitions are always up-to-date. keep a check on windows updates - don't let the updates run away from you, so to speak. Ensure you have a backup Administrator account. Create your system restore/image disks asap. Dump IE (IMO) and switch to a 'safer' browser.

logicearth said:

manhunter2826 said:

switch to a 'safer' browser.

No such thing as a "safer" browser.

I didn't say there was

Apart from the various things suggested above, decide a few things. Here goes:

1) Decide what power plan you want to keep. Go into control panel, then click on power options. There are several different on offer. Choose the one that suits you best.

2) Configure System Restore. Which drives you want it turned on, how much space should it reserve on the disk, scheduling of system restore jobs etc.

3) Do you use hibernation? I dont and it can be easily turned off. Run CMD, then type "powercfg -h off" without the quotes.

4) Will you be using Windows Search? I dont because i think it wastes resources and since all my folders are neatly organized, i dont need it either. You can disable Search if you dont want to use it.

5) I also turn off hard drive indexing and scheduled defrag because they cause a lot of hard disk thrashing. Make your own decision.

6) I am somewhat of a minimalist so i have disabled unneeded services. But beware, this can cause problem if you dont know what you are doing. So tread carefully if you want to go that way. Theres a good guide on Blackviper's site for that.

Whew! Cant think of anything more for the moment.

manhunter2826 said:

Make sure your virus/malware definitions are always up-to-date. keep a check on windows updates - don't let the updates run away from you, so to speak. Ensure you have a backup Administrator account. Create your system restore/image disks asap. Dump IE (IMO) and switch to a 'safer' browser.

You might -- given how it hogs resources/memory -- wish to disable the Glass Transparency effect; and you can still do this without disabling Aero

manhunter2826 said:

logicearth said:

manhunter2826 said:

switch to a 'safer' browser.

No such thing as a "safer" browser.

I didn't say there was