Unlock Windows Vista Hidden Features

Get More Out of Vista

We’ve done our fair share of Vista-bashing over the years, but the reality is that Windows Vista has a lot of hidden talents that go unheralded. We tell you how to unlock and make use of six features in Windows Vista you might not be aware of and working with Vista a much more pleasant experience.

Use Stacking to Organize Files

Stacking is a handy way to organize the files contained in any given folder. Stacks are really just virtual folders, and they're temporary.

1. Open a folder containing some documents, photos, MP3s, or whatever.
2. Right-click any open area within that folder and mouse over Stack By.
3. Choose the kind of stack you want: Name, date modified, file type, size, etc. Note that the available options will differ depending on the kinds of files in the folder.

Presto: Vista creates your stacks, which appear under the banner of "search results." That's what we mean when we say they're temporary: Stacks are really just a filtered, folder-specific form of searching. If you want to save a stack for future use, click the Save Search button up on the toolbar.

Turn on 'Checkboxes' Feature

Holding down the Ctrl key is the normal way of selecting multiple files but It's easy to mis-click and "lose" all your selections. Checkboxes can ease lots of trouble. Instead of holding down the Ctrl key, you simply click a checkbox next to each file you want to select. To enable it, open any system window, click the Organize menu, and then choose Folder and Search Options. Next, click the View tab, and then scroll down until you see Use check boxes to select items. Enable it, then click OK.

Fast-Access Folders

It's not uncommon for those frequently used folders to be scattered across your hard drive, which makes finding them a slow and inconvenient process. Enter "favorites," Vista's way of putting designated folders at your fingertips. Here's how to create one:

1. Open Windows Explorer. (My favorite method: Tap Windows-E on your keyboard.)
2. Navigate to the folder you want to turn into a favorite.
3. Drag the folder to the Favorite Links area in the lefthand pane. (Don't see it? Click Organize, Layout, Navigation Pane to make it visible.)
4. Repeat as desired with other folders.

Now just click any of your folder shortcuts to immediately access the contents therein.

A More Powerful Administrator

Vista’s UAC has come under a lot of flak because of its annoying nature. It springs up even if you are log in as an administrator. Te fact is that Vista has a more powerful administrator account that is hidden. You can activate it and get all the administrative privileges without the irritating Uac popping up every time you run something. You can access this hidden administrator account with. The following steps –

1. Run command Prompt in administrator mode (Right click the command prompt icon at the top of the Start menu and click Run as administrator.
2. type the following command - net user administrator/active:yes.

Now you will see another administrator account created on top of the default administrator account. To disable the administrator account youactivated just type net user administrator/active:no.