Below, you will find some Win95 Tips and Tricks. We will be updating this page on a regular basis, so you might want to visit it often! If you have a tip or trick you would like to share, please email it to us at :webmaster@communisat.com
as of 1/25/98
as of 11/2/97
as of 11/2/97
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Do you have programs you use alot, and get tired of clicking "Start", "Programs" and running through menus to find them? If so, here is an easy way to make your most used programs available with just a few clicks of the mouse. Add a folder to the desktop, then add icons (shortcuts) to that folder. A double click on the folder will open it, providing shortcuts to the programs you want.
To add a folder to the desktop, right click once on the desktop. You should see a menu popup. Click the "New" option. Then click the "Folder" option.
This will create a new folder and place it on the desktop. It will be highlighted and the cursor will be flashing in the name entry field below the icon. The name defaults to "New Folder". Change the text to the desired name. After changing the text, hit enter or click on the folder to apply the change. Your new folder is now ready for use. You may create folders within folders as well. Simply follow the above procedure starting from within a folder rather than from the Desktop.
To rename a folder, right click on it once and a menu will appear. Click "Rename" and edit the existing name. Hit enter or click anywhere on the desktop to apply the change.
Note: adding an icon to a folder or the desktop does not add it to the Programs Menu. To add a program to the Programs Menu, use the settings, taskbar option from the Start button.
To add an icon (shortcut) to the desktop, right click once on the desktop. If you wish to add the icon to a folder, open the folder, then right click once somewhere in the folder. In either case, you should see a menu popup. Click the "New" option. Then click the "Shortcut" option.
This will bring up the Shortcut Setup box. Your cursor should be flashing in the Command Line entry field. Notice the "Browse" button right under this box. This button is very useful for locating a program. You may type the name of the program in at the Command Line prompt (including the path i.e. c:\netfone\fone.exe) or you may click the Browse Button. Click the Next button after entering the program name in the command line or click the Browse button to search for the program. Refer to Using Browse Buttons for information on how to navigate within the browse window.
Once you have located the program, you may either double click the program or click it once to highlight it then click the open button. Both actions will bring you back to the Command Line entry field with the path and program name entered in to the Command Line field for you. Click the "Next" button.
You will then be asked to supply a name for this program. This is the text that will be displayed with the icon. Win95 will suggest a program name. After changing or accepting the suggested name, click Finish. In a few seconds, your new icon will appear.
Note: adding an icon to a folder or the desktop does not add it to the Programs Menu. To add a program to the Programs Menu, use the settings, taskbar option from the Start button.
Personally, I think the taskbar is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I still watch in horror as client after client opens and closes applications one after another. Wwwwaaait! I stutter, Just open it once and leave it open. Minimize it if you must, but use your taskbar to pop programs back up. Much faster than reloading!....How's that again, they ask?
OK, everytime you launch an application, it makes an appearance on the taskbar. Minimize it and it is still on the taskbar. Neatly hidden away, but ready for instant access. Launch another program and watch it come on to the taskbar. Now you can click between the programs easily. When you have 10 different programs running at once **, the taskbar really starts to shine! No more Alt-Esc through 8 of them to get to the 9th one. Just click on the program you want and it instantly appears. Below are 3 nifty little treats to make your taskbar more valuable.
** uhhhhh...I deny any knowledge of the phrase "Type A Personality"
Treat #1 - Auto Hide
Just about the only thing I didn't like about the taskbar was the neccesity for it to eat screen real estate. It always seem to be in the way, just at the bottom of the program. Then I found Auto Hide. When you turn Auto Hide on, the taskbar slips out of sight. Pull your mouse all the way to the bottom of the screen and the taskbar appears ready for use. Pull your mouse off the bar and it tucks itself away again. Leaving the entire screen to devote to your program!
To turn Auto Hide on, Click Start, Settings, Taskbar. You should then see the Taskbar Properties Window. Make sure the Auto Hide line is checked. I also keep Always On Top checked also.
Treat #2 - Put it where you want it!
The Taskbar defaults to the bottom of the screen when you install Win95. But it can be moved to any of the four sides of the screen. To move the Taskbar, click and hold down mouse button and drag the bar to one of the sides or to the top of the screen. When you release the button, the Taskbar will move to that location. When clicking on the Taskbar to move it, click in a clear area, not where there are icons. If only furniture were this easy to move!
Treat #3 - Minimize All
OK, your working along, have 15 or so programs going, and you encounter this incredible urge to see your desktop (that shortcut to MS Dos would be helpful right about now, if I could just see the desktop to click it)! Kinda of remind you of being at work? Papers spread all over the desk, and you discover you need your credit card calculator, yea the one thats hiding somewhere under that ton of paper! Well picture this! You hit a button at the edge of your desk, and swoosh, all the paper disappears and low and behold there is your credit card calculator! With out even the blink of an eye, you retrieve the calculator and push the button again and swoosh! Your organized mess of papers is right back were you left them!
This is how the Minimize All works. Click any open space on the Taskbar with the right mouse button. You should see a menu. Click Minimize All Windows and all open programs minimize themselves into the Taskbar, leaving the desktop clean. To bring them back, Click Undo Minimize All in the same menu.