10 tweaks1. Prepare it for the Internet2. Turn on ClearType and adjust Desktop settingsFigure A Display Properties - Effects3. Configure file systemFigure B Folder Options4. Set screen resolution and Hz and DPIFigure C Advanced Display Properties5. Activate Windows6. Copy over browser shortcutsFigure D Export and Import7. Install needed applications8. Set up e-mail and home page9. Install PowerToys10. Save system and registry, back upAdditional resourcesVersion historyTell us what you thinkPage 1 Copyright ©2005 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. For more downloads and a free TechRepublic membership, please visit http://techrepublic.com.com/2001-6240-0.htmlVersion 1.0 October 21, 200510 things you should do to improve every new Windows PC By Mark W. Kaelin Takeaway This document lists 10 enhancements you should make to every new Windows PC, no matter whether it is a workstation or the family media computer. Table of Contents 10 TWEAKS ..............................................................................................................................................................................2 1. PREPARE IT FOR THE INTERNET.........................................................................................................................................2 2. TURN ON CLEARTYPE AND ADJUST DESKTOP SETTINGS..................................................................................................2 Figure A..............................................................................................................................................................................3 3. CONFIGURE FILE SYSTEM...................................................................................................................................................3 Figure B..............................................................................................................................................................................4 4. SET SCREEN RESOLUTION AND HZ AND DPI.....................................................................................................................4 Figure C..............................................................................................................................................................................5 5. ACTIVATE WINDOWS ..........................................................................................................................................................5 6. COPY OVER BROWSER SHORTCUTS ..................................................................................................................................5 Figure D..............................................................................................................................................................................6 7. INSTALL NEEDED APPLICATIONS.........................................................................................................................................6 8. SET UP E-MAIL AND HOME PAGE ........................................................................................................................................7 9. INSTALL POWERTOYS ........................................................................................................................................................7 10. SAVE SYSTEM AND REGISTRY, BACK UP..........................................................................................................................7 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ..................................................................................................................................................8 Version history...................................................................................................................................................................8 Tell us what you think.......................................................................................................................................................810 things you should do to improve every new Windows PC 10 tweaks Getting a new PC, whether it is at work or at home, is one of those "makes you smile" moments. Just like the "6 Million Dollar Man" we all want better, stronger, and faster. However, every new PC that crosses your path is in need of a few tweaks. This document lists 10 enhancements you should make to every new PC, no matter whether it is a workstation or the family media computer. These tweaks will bring out the best in your new PC and give you a solid foundation for future applications and operating system updates. 1. Prepare it for the Internet The first step should always be to implement the necessary security measures required for connecting it to the Internet. For office workstations and PCs installed by network administrators, much of this preliminary work will have already been done, but for home PCs these steps are essential. Connecting a new PC to the Internet before taking the proper security steps outlined in a previous TechRepublic article will be construed by the nefarious citizens of the Internet as an invitation to infect your PC with a virus, worm, or Trojan horse. The scariest part of that scenario: the infection is likely to take place within 12 minutes of connecting to the Internet. 2. Turn on ClearType and adjust Desktop settings One of the first things I do when I sit down at a new Windows PC for the first time is activate the ClearType effect located on the Display Properties control panel. To get to the right control, open the Control Panel and then open the Display Properties control panel. From there, navigate to the Appearance tab and click the Effects button. (See Figure A) Click the second check box for smoothing font edges and choose the ClearType option. Click OK a few times and you should see the fonts displayed much more crisply on the screen. For tired eyes, like mine, this can literally save you a few headaches, especially if you have to stare at a monitor screen all day. Once you install the Microsoft PowerToys (See #9) you can adjust the ClearType settings to achieve a more personalized display. This is also where you would adjust the size of the Windows icons, choose whether to allow the screen contents to show while dragging, specify themes, and designate font style and size. Those are all personal choices and will vary, but for those of us that look at the screen all day, these setting