More Windows 7 and XP Tips and Tricks

Transfer Windows Account Settings Utility: 
If you are setting up a new PC or just want to transfer your Windows settings from one computer to another, you may want to take advantage of a Microsoft utility called, "Windows Easy Transfer". It works with both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and 8 and is available in any easy to use utility file. It does not transfer applications. The utility primarily transfers user account data files, folders, photos, music, videos, documents, email messages and contacts plus registry information.

You can download the correct version of the utility from Microsoft's website at this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

Manually Create a Restore Point (a "backup" point):

To preserve the function of your computer consider manually creating a restore point in the operating system software each time you make an important change or start to install a new program. If something goes wrong during or after the installation process you can restore the computer to a point in time BEFORE you installed the program, which often results in repairing the system. By default, the system automatically creates system restore points, but it does not do so at convenient times (e.g. right before you install new software or make changes to the system). Creating a Restore point is easy. Here are the steps to do so using XP or Windows 7.0
 

 XP 

•   Click on: Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore
•   Click on, "Create a Restore Point".

  7.0

•   Click on: Start/Control Panel/System/System Protection/Create Restore Point

Improve User Login Security by Replacing the Welcome Screen with the User & Password Login Screen:

 7.0  

• By default, Microsoft Windows 7 and 8 default to the Windows "Welcome" screen which allows you to click on various User account icons and enter your password to log on. This feature shows all available user accounts to anyone looking at the monitor. Options exist to hide specific user accounts from the Welcome screen, but a better option is to have Windows start with the User Name/ Password Login screen instead. To switch to the Login screen greeting, run 'Regedit' and modify the policy field as follows (Note: Always back up your registry files and create a new restore point before making any changes to them).
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\POLICIES\SYSTEM . Click on dontdisplaylastusername and modify the key to a value of 1 (to require both the User name and password at login). *Switch the value back to '0' to restore the Welcome screen once again.