Using tweaking applications in Windows 7



The most efficient way of tweaking your computer’s registry is to use one of the many third-party applications currently available. I suggest you to take this approach for a number of reasons:

1) Tweaking applications don’t allow you to do anything you are not supposed to do.
2) You don’t directly access the Windows registry.
3) You can easily roll back any changes you have made.

Note: Remember that even though third-party tweak applications may be relatively safe, they are not fail proof. With that point in mind, performing a backup or a system restore point before using any applications to alter your Windows registry is a good idea.

Tweaking your Windows 7 experience can be a largely positive exercise which allows you to enjoy your Windows experience. Although it won’t turn an average computer into a super-machine, it can be beneficial to enhancing the overall experience. For instance, you may want to tweak the Windows 7 registry so that you can log into the Local Administrator account if you are already logged in as a standard user. You may also want to disable the ever-present security dialog boxes that always seem to appear.

However, tweaking isn’t all about doing something secret or even something that “Microsoft doesn’t want you to do.” For instance, you can use a tweak application to easily declare how you want things to appear in Windows 7. These small alterations can make some difference in terms of visuals, saving time, or improving efficiency.

Most of the third-party applications allow you to manage basic tweaks, such as desktop optimization, the Start Menu, Web browsers, hardware, system information, the System folder, and so on.

Currently, only a few tweak applications are currently available for Windows 7. As Windows 7 rolls out and becomes more widely used, you can be certain that more will become available. I suggest three tweak applications for use with Windows 7; please visit their respective Web sites for more information on their capabilities. These applications are:

1) TweakVI from Totalidea Software (www.totalidea.com): It is designed to allow you to fine-tune and optimize your Windows 7 experience. A freeware version exists, as does a subscription-based application that features additional plug-ins. The freeware version permits you to perform most of the basic tasks; however, if you are looking to perform more advanced optimizations, such as those you can do with the UAC feature, you need to take a subscription.

2) TweakVista (www.tweakvista.com/tweakvistautility): It is a strong application which will assist you to make the most of Windows 7. TweakVista is currently available as a freeware application.

3) VistaBootPRO (www.vistabootpro.org): It contains a support forum, which will offer useful ideas for tweaking Windows 7. VistaBootPRO is currently available as a freeware application.