Here are some of my Windows 7 settings and preferences. See also: Windows XP Settings, Operating Systems, Programs, BIOS Settings, Device Settings, System Info, Installation Order, My computers.
Notes
Do not use Lock Screen, because after 30 minutes the computer shuts down and restarts (Wings desktop PC, April 2012).
Msconfig
Comments
Start Msconfig: Command Prompt: msconfig
Boot
[ ] No GUI boot (enabled: looks grim with a black screen and some blue dots at the top of the screen)
[ ] Boot log
[ ] Base video
[ ] OS boot information
Startup
[ ] Adobe Reader and Acrobat Manager: AdobeARM.exe
[ ] Apple Push: APSDaemon.exe (wirelessly sync devices)
[x] Avira Free Antivirus: avgnt.exe
[x] Catalyst Control Center: CLIStart.exe (ATI)
[ ] cyberlink brs: brs.exe (CyberLink Blu-ray player)
[ ] CyberLink MediaLibray Service: Power2Go: CLMLSvc.exe
[x] Google Talk: googletalk.exe (if disabled Google main page may look strange when logged in, April 2012)
[x] Google Update: GoogleUpdate.exe
[x] HDAudioCPL: VDeck.exe (VIA)
[ ] iTunes: iTunesHelper.exe (monitors for the connection of iPod, etc.)
[x] Java(TM) Platform SE Auto Updater 2 0: jusched.exe (Java Update)
[ ] LG Firmware Autoupdate: fwupdate.exe (annoying)
[ ] MUI StartMenu Application: MediaShow4 (CyberLink Blu-ray player)
[ ] MUI StartMenu Application: Power2Go
[ ] MUI StartMenu Application: PowerProducer
[ ] PowerDVD Language Application: Language.exe (CyberLink)
[ ] PowerDVD RC Service: PDVD8Serv.exe (I don't have a remote control for my PC)
[ ] QuickTime: QTTask.exe (QuickTime tray icon)
[ ] StartMen Application: MUIStartMenu.exe (CyberLink)
[x] USB 3.0 Monitor: nusb3mon.exe (ASUS motherboard)
[x] ZoneAlarm: zatray.exe
[x] ZoneAlarm Browser Security: ForceField.exe (anti-phishing plugin)
[ ] Zune: ZuneLauncher.exe (I don't use Zune)
Start
(Pinned Programs)
Google Chrome
right-click: Pin to Start Menu
LibreOffice
right-click: Pin to Start Menu
Notepad
right-click: Pin to Start Menu
Paint
right-click: Pin to Start Menu
All Programs
Accessories
Command Prompt
Right-click: Send to: Desktop (create shortcut). Then move the new shortcut to Start, All Programs section for faster access.
Notepad
Right-click: Send to: Desktop (create shortcut). Then move the new shortcut to Start, All Programs section for faster access.
Control Panel
Action Center
Change Action Center Settings
Security messages
[x] Windows Update
[x] Internet security settings
[x] Network firewall
[x] Spyware and related protection
[x] User Account Control
[x] Virus protection
Maintenance messages
[ ] Windows Backup
[ ] Windows Troubleshooting
[ ] Check for updates
Change User Account Control settings (no need, I'm using Avira AntiVir)
(*) Never notify me
Administrative Tools
Services
(D means Disabled. M means Manual startup. A means Automatic startup.)
[A] Avira Realtime Protection
[A] Avira Scheduler
[D] Bonjour (enables devices to connect to PC, Apple, iTunes)
[D] Remote Desktop Services (connect to remote computer)
[D] Remote Registry (enables remote users to modify registry settings)
[D] Server (file sharing, etc.)
[D] Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service (share media libraries)
[D] Zune Network Sharing Service (share media libraries)
AutoPlay
[ ] Use AutoPlay for all media and devices
Audio CD: [Play Audio CD using iTunes]
DVD movie: [Play DVD movie using VideoLAN VLC media player]
Blu-ray disc movie: [Play DVD Video using PowerDVD 8]
Display
(General)
Make it easier to read what's on your screen
(*) Smaller - 100% (default)
Adjust resolution: (1) HP ZR24w
Display: HP ZR24w
Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Orientation: Landscape
Adjust resolution: (2) LG 32LT75
Display: LG 32LT75
Resolution: 1600 x 900 (easier to see text)
Change display settings
(See "Adjust resolution", which takes you to the same window.)
Ease of Access Center
Quick access common tools
[ ] Always read this section aloud
[ ] Always scan this section
Make the mouse easier to use
Make it easier to manage windows
[x] Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen (keywords: snap, drag, sticky)
Make the keyboard easier to use
Make it easier to type
[ ] Turn on Sticky Keys
[ ] Turn on Toggle Keys
[ ] Turn on Filter Keys
Make it easier to use keyboard shortcuts
[x] Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys
Folder Options
General
(*) Open each folder in the same window
(*) Double-click to open an item
View
[x] Always show icons, never thumbnails
[ ] Display file size information in folder tips
[ ] Hide extensions for known file types
[x] Launch folder windows in a separate process
[x] Show drive letters
[ ] Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items
HomeGroup
(See Network and Sharing Center: Advanced sharing settings.)
Java
(See Program Settings page.)
Keyboard
Speed
Character repeat
Repeat delay: approximately 75 %
Repeat rate: 100 %
Cursor blink rate: 8/12
Mouse
Buttons
Button configuration
[ ] Switch primary and secondary buttons
Double-click speed
Speed: 7/11
ClickLock
[ ] Turn on ClickLock
Pointers
Scheme
None (hourglass for "Busy" and "Working")
Windows Aero (system scheme) (blue circle for "Busy" and "Working")
[x] Enable pointer shadow
[x] Allow themes to change mouse pointers
Pointer Options
Motion
Select a pointer speed: 6/11
[x] Enhance pointer precision
Snap To
[ ] Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box
Visibility
[ ] Display pointer trails
[x] Hide pointer while typing
[ ] Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key (maybe when making net videos)
Wheel
Vertical Scrolling
Roll the wheel one notch to scroll
(*) The following number of lines at a time: 3
Horizontal Scrolling
Tilt the wheel to scroll the following number of characters at a time: 3
Hardware
Devices
HID-compliant mouse (no Windows 7 driver for Logitech Mini Mouse Optical M-UV55A)
Network and Sharing Center
Advanced sharing settings (should be turned off by default by Windows)
Home or Work
Network discovery
(*) Turn off network discovery (This is like UPnP in Windows XP. Seems to turn back on automatically after turning off. See your UPnP settings in your modem/router.)
File and printer sharing
(*) Turn off file and printer sharing
Public folder sharing
(*) Turn off Public folder sharing
File sharing connections
(*) Use 128-bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections
Password protected sharing
(*) Turn on password protected sharing
Public
Network discovery
(*) Turn off network discovery (This is like UPnP in Windows XP. Seems to turn back on automatically after turning off. See your UPnP settings in your modem/router.)
File and printer sharing
(*) Turn off file and printer sharing
Public folder sharing
(*) Turn off Public folder sharing
File sharing connections
(*) Use 128-bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections
Password protected sharing
(*) Turn on password protected sharing
Notification Area Icons
Icons
Action Center: [Only show notifications]
fwupdate.exe: [Hide icon and notifications] (Unnecessary notifications.)
Google Talk: [Show icon and notifications] (I can see when I receive email.)
Network: [Show icon and notifications] (When network is down I can easily click the icon.)
VLC Media Player: [Show icon and notifications]
Volume: [Show icon and notifications] (Easy to adjust volume.)
Windows Task Manager: [Show icon and notifications] (I can see CPU usage graph on taskbar.)
[ ] Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar (enabled only when Windows has been installed and I'm making initial updates)
Performance Information and Tools
"The Windows Experience Index assesses key system components on a scale of 1.0 to 7.9."
Processor: 7,4
Memory (RAM): 7,5
Graphics: 7,2
Gaming graphics: 7,2 (Club 3D is not meant for gaming, but this is Windows 7 information)
Primary hard disk: 5,9 (HDD is not SSD)
Base score (determined by lowest subscore): 5,9
Personalization
Aero Themes
Windows 7
Basic and High Contrast Themes
Windows 7 Basic
Desktop Background
Harmony
Window Color
Change the color of your window borders, Start menu, and taskbar
Current color: Twilight (dark blue)
[ ] Enable transparency
Color intensity: approximately 85/100
Screen Saver
Screen saver: 3D Text
Settings
Text
(*) Time
Choose Font
Font: Microsoft Sans Serif
Font Style: Regular
Resolution: 10/10
Size: 1/10
Motion
Rotation Type: None
Rotation Speed: 1/20
Surface Style
(*) Solid Color
[ ] Show Specular Highlights
[x] Custom Color: Gray
Power Options
Comment: when PC was locked in High Performance PC rebooted while I was away for about 30 minutes, so no shutdown setting in any mode. Check all the advanced settings for all power modes also.
( ) Balanced
Turn off the display: [30 minutes]
Put the computer to sleep: [Never]
Advanced settings
Balanced
Require a password on wakeup: [Yes]
Hard disk
Turn off hard disk after: [Never] (I may be using USB HDD/stick with open files)
Desktop background settings
Slide show: [Available]
Wireless Adapter Settings
Power Saving Mode: [Maximum Performance]
Sleep
Sleep after: [Never]
Allow hybrid sleep: [Off]
Hibernate after: [Never]
Allow wake timers: [Disable]
USB settings
USB selective suspend setting: [Disabled]
Power buttons and lid
Power button action: [Do nothing]
Sleep button action: [Do nothing]
PCI Express
Link State Power Management: [Off]
Processor power management
Minimum processor state: [5%]
System cooling policy: [Active]
Maximum processor state: [100%]
Display
Turn off display after: [30] Minutes
Multimedia settings
When sharing media: [Prevent idling to sleep]
When playing video: [Optimize video quality]
Internet Explorer
JavaScript Timer Frequency: [Maximum Performance]
(*) High Performance
Turn off the display: [Never]
Put the computer to sleep: [Never]
Advanced settings
High Performance
Require a password on wakeup: [Yes]
Hard disk
Turn off hard disk after: [Never] (I may be using USB HDD/stick with open files)
Desktop background settings
Slide show: [Available]
Wireless Adapter Settings
Power Saving Mode: [Maximum Performance]
Sleep
Sleep after: [Never]
Allow hybrid sleep: [Off]
Hibernate after: [Never]
Allow wake timers: [Disable]
USB settings
USB selective suspend setting: [Disabled]
Power buttons and lid
Power button action: [Do nothing]
Sleep button action: [Do nothing]
PCI Express
Link State Power Management: [Off]
Processor power management
Minimum processor state: [100%]
System cooling policy: [Active]
Maximum processor state: [100%]
Display
Turn off display after: [Never]
Multimedia settings
When sharing media: [Prevent idling to sleep]
When playing video: [Optimize video quality]
Internet Explorer
JavaScript Timer Frequency: [Maximum Performance]
( ) Power saver
Turn off the display: [20] Minutes
Put the computer to sleep: [Never]
Advanced settings
High Performance
Require a password on wakeup: [Yes]
Hard disk
Turn off hard disk after: [Never] (I may be using USB HDD/stick with open files)
Desktop background settings
Slide show: [Available]
Wireless Adapter Settings
Power Saving Mode: [Maximum Performance]
Sleep
Sleep after: [Never]
Allow hybrid sleep: [Off]
Hibernate after: [Never]
Allow wake timers: [Disable]
USB settings
USB selective suspend setting: [Disabled]
Power buttons and lid
Power button action: [Do nothing]
Sleep button action: [Do nothing]
PCI Express
Link State Power Management: [Off]
Processor power management
Minimum processor state: [5%]
System cooling policy: [Active]
Maximum processor state: [100%]
Display
Turn off display after: [20] Minutes
Multimedia settings
When sharing media: [Prevent idling to sleep]
When playing video: [Optimize video quality]
Internet Explorer
JavaScript Timer Frequency: [Maximum Performance]
Programs and Features
Adobe AIR
Adobe Flash Player 11 ActiveX 64-bit
Adobe Reader X (10.1.3)
Adobe Shockwave Player 11.6
Apple Application Support
Apple Mobile Device Support
Apple Software Update
ATI Catalyst Install Manager
Avira Free Antivirus
Bonjour
Chinese Traditional Fonts Support For Adobe Reader X (used by some ZyXEL documents)
CyberLink BD Advisor 2.0 (Blu-ray disc player)
CyberLink Blu-ray Disc Suite
CyberLink MediaShow
CyberLink Power2Go
CyberLink PowerDVD 8
CyberLink PowerProducer
DGE-528T Ethernet Controller Driver For Windows 7
Google Chrome
Google Talk
Google Talk Plugin
Huawei modem (Saunalahti Mobiililaajakaista: Huawei E1820)
IrfanView
iTunes
Java(TM) 6 Update 31
LG Tool Kit
LibreOffice 3.5
Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile
Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable
Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition [ENU]
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable x64 9.0.30729.4148
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable x64 9.0.30729.6161
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable x86 9.0.30729.17
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable x86 9.0.30729.6161
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x86 Redistributable - 10.0.40219
Mobiililaajakaista (Saunalahti Mobiililaajakaista: Huawei E1820)
Mozilla Firefox 11.0 (x86 en-US)
NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver
Opera 11.62
Picasa 3
QuickTime
Safari
SeaMonkey (2.8)
VIA Ohjelmistoalustan laitehallinta
Windows Ident Server
Windows Live Essentials 2011
VLC Media Player 2.0.1
ZoneAlarm Free
Zune
Sound
Playback
Speakers: VIA High Definition Audio
Recording
Microphone
Sounds
Sound Scheme: [No Sounds]
[ ] Play Windows Startup sound
System
Advanced system settings
Advanced
Performance
Settings
Visual Effects
(*) Let Windows choose what's best for my computer
Advanced
Adjust for best performance of: (*) Programs
Data Execution Prevention
(*) Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only
Remote
Remote Assistance
[ ] Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer (check this option after Service Pack update)
Advanced
[ ] Allow this computer to be controlled remotely
Remote Desktop
(*) Don't allow connections to this computer
Taskbar and Start Menu
Taskbar
[x] Lock the taskbar
[ ] Auto-hide the taskbar
[ ] Use small icons
Taskbar location on screen: [Top] (I can keep laptop near desktop monitor)
Taskbar buttons: [Never combine]
Preview desktop with Aero Peek
[ ] Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop (if I need the desktop, I simply click the button)
Start Menu
Customize
Computer
(*) Don't display this item
[ ] Connect To
Control Panel
(*) Display as a link
[ ] Default Programs
[ ] Devices and Printers (only needed when having problems with printing)
Documents
(*) Don't display this item
Downloads
(*) Don't display this item
[x] Enable context menus and dragging and dropping
[ ] Favorites menu
Games
(*) Don't display this item
[ ] Help
[ ] Highlight newly installed programs
[ ] Homegroup
Music
(*) Don't display this item
[ ] Network
[x] Open submenus when I pause on them with the mouse pointer
Personal folder
(*) Don't display this item
Pictures
(*) Don't display this item
[x] Recent Items
[x] Run command
[x] Search programs and Control Panel
[ ] Sort All Programs menu by name
Start menu size
Number of recent programs to display: 0 (this way I see a clean menu)
Number of recent items to display in Jump Lists: 5
User Accounts
Change your picture
Browse for more pictures
tomihasa.jpg
Windows Defender (no need, I'm using Avira AntiVir)
Note: change the settings for Windows Defender, as this program messes up with other programs.
Tools
Options
Automatic scanning
[ ] Automatically scan my computer
Real-time protection
[ ] Use real-time protection
Windows Firewall (I'm using third party firewall)
(*) Turn off Windows Firewall
Computer
(Selected folders)
Properties
General
[x] Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties (I had this disabled previously, but the HDD seems to make less annoying read/write sounds when this is enabled)
Device Manager
Network Adapters
D-Link DGE-528T Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Power Management
[ ] Allow this device to wake the computer (warning: disabling this setting may cause a problem where Windows will not start anymore!)
Last modified: January 1st, 2015
Author: Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com)
URL: http://sites.google.com/site/tomihasa/windows-7-settings