How to take control over Windows 7

[Lord of Rings]

Hello everybody,

I would like to understand and control Windows 7 better. I think that my understanding of windows 7 processes and working principles is very poor. Can you tell me where I can read more about what is happening with my computer during the start up phase? I would also like to have more control over the process.

I also believe that Microsoft has done a great job by keeping users on the surface far from understanding what is really happening with the computer and how Windows 7 is operating. By turning users into dummies Microsoft can constantly introduce changes that will force customers to buy its products and to learn old things in a new way. For example new windows 7 is shiny and colorful but I still miss thousands of old features from Windows XP. Not to mention the compatibility issue for hundreds of programs that once worked fine with win XP.

There is no doubt win 7 is more user friendly, more colorful etc, but it also alienates a user from the essence and turns it into a dummy.

If you can suggest any good books or any websites where I can read more to understand win 7 better, I will appreciate your help.

Thanks in advance,
Lord of Rings

 

[TwoCables]

What features did you like in XP that you can't find in Windows 7?

For me, Windows 7 is better than XP in every way - and I'm a tweaker and tinkerer. I maybe don't tweak and tinker as much as some people, but I'm still 100% satisfied.

What exactly would you like to do?

 

[pcunite]

In technical forums and Microsoft publications the way Windows 7 operates is public knowledge. You need to become a part of these communities that discuss this information. Your grandma does not know how to work on her automobile, it is not because car manufactures are keeping secrets.

 

[Layback Bear]

Reading here will give you a lot of information but it takes time. I'm not sure what you are trying to control.
Windows 7 does not works like XP it works better.
If you have something you are trying to do and don't know how; please just ask a more precise question. Their will be someone out of a quarter of a million members that will be able to help.
Your system spec is very lacking. That information helps us help you. Try this below. You could also take a look at my specs or others to get a idea of information that helps.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

 

[x BlueRobot]

Welcome to the forums Lord of Rings,

Windows is a closed operating system, therefore the general public won't have access to the source files, which in my opinion is great for security, if the source files were open and public, then anyone would be able to exploit the vulnerabilities within the code.

Windows does offer backwards compatibility for older programs, XP Mode is available for editions such as Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate. Alternatively, you could run XP in a VM, even though that is what XP Mode is.

How much detail would you like to know about Windows? You will able to read plenty of Wiki and Driver Development web pages explaining the internals of the operating system if that's how deep you wish to learn.

 

[Lord of Rings]

What features did you like in XP that you can't find in Windows 7?

For me, Windows 7 is better than XP in every way - and I'm a tweaker and tinkerer. I maybe don't tweak and tinker as much as some people, but I'm still 100% satisfied.

What exactly would you like to do?

Thank you very much for wanting to help me. For beginning I will mention only a small thing that I miss from Win XP. There has been a small utility called FOLDER SIZE which has showed the size of file or folder in Win XP. Is there a possible way for Windows Explorer to show the size of a file or folder in Win 7? I am not talking about a separate utility which can do the job, but Win Explorer (My Computer) with a possible help of an external utility.

 

[Sir George]

What features did you like in XP that you can't find in Windows 7?

For me, Windows 7 is better than XP in every way - and I'm a tweaker and tinkerer. I maybe don't tweak and tinker as much as some people, but I'm still 100% satisfied.

What exactly would you like to do?

Thank you very much for wanting to help me. For beginning I will mention only a small thing that I miss from Win XP. There has been a small utility called FOLDER SIZE which has showed the size of file or folder in Win XP. Is there a possible way for Windows Explorer to show the size of a file or folder in Win 7? I am not talking about a separate utility which can do the job, but Win Explorer (My Computer) with a possible help of an external utility.

Natively, there is no easy way to display the folder(s) size, but you can still use "Folder Size" for the task.

HTH

 

[Layback Bear]

You can just hover the cursor over the folder and it will show you the size and date and other information.

 

[Lord of Rings]

In technical forums and Microsoft publications the way Windows 7 operates is public knowledge. You need to become a part of these communities that discuss this information. Your grandma does not know how to work on her automobile, it is not because car manufactures are keeping secrets.

Yes, this is exactly what I would like to know: the way Win 7 operates explained in a logical and cause-and-effect manner. Is there a youtube video you may recommend from an university lecturer about the topic, or is there a book you would like to recommend. I liked books from Peter Norton very much and the way he was explaining things about computers. I mean his stile of writing. Not only the information, but the reason why as well with some historical background.

Thanks,
LOR

 

[Lord of Rings]

You can just hover the cursor over the folder and it will show you the size and date and other information.

Thank you for your help. Can I have this information in a column in Win Explorer?

 

[Sir George]

You can just hover the cursor over the folder and it will show you the size and date and other information.

Strange, "hover over" doesn't provide file size information for several folders on all 3 of my systems. Also, the following link seems to substantiate my findings;

Windows 7 Explorer: how to show total size of all files in current folder? - Super User

Here's a screen shot from one of my systems;



Could you explain how you accomplished this?

 

[TwoCables]

For me, it's Folder Options: "Display file size information in folder tips".

 

[Sir George]

For me, it's Folder Options: "Display file size information in folder tips".

Either I am having a senior moment, not all that rare, or something else is going on. See image;



I am viewing the top level folders in my "C" drive and there is no size data and I have the appropriate setting selected as shown in the attached image.

 

[Layback Bear]

It's been so long ago I'm not sure I remembers. This might be the way I did it.

 

[whs]

If nothing else, the size is in the folder Properties.

 

[Layback Bear]

Okay I see we post at the same time. Maybe I not understanding so could you try this and let me know what happens.
Open
Windows Explorer
Pictures
Documents
ect.
Hover over them.
When I hover over Pictures I get file size, date ect.
or you can right click and go to propertis.

 

[Layback Bear]

I think I found some help. Take a look at this.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11836-pop-up-descriptions-enable-disable.html

 

[Sir George]

I think I found some help. Take a look at this.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11836-pop-up-descriptions-enable-disable.htmlhttp://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11836-pop-up-descriptions-enable-disable.html

That worked, thanks!

 

[Layback Bear]

Your very welcome. Brink does some nice work but don't tell him.