You might also want to checkout some of the other Best Windows 7 Themes you can download and use for free.

Please note: Some download links will directly download the .themepack file to your PC.

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Back in the days Windows XP was a huge overhaul from Windows 98 and the failed Windows Millennium, however that look has stuck with me for quite sometime.

Also Read: Stunning Windows 7 Wallpapers

If you are using Windows 7 and are nostalgic like me about Windows XP, you can now download a Windows XP theme and use it on Windows 7.

XP Luna is a theme for Windows 7 that will bring the look and feel of Windows XP to Windows 7, definitely worth it if you want the simple looks of XP and the power of Windows 7.

The post Download Windows XP Theme for Windows 7 appeared first on Techie Buzz.

Though the method is not straightforward and you will need to perform a hack uninstall of WMP 12. There are several steps you will need to follow to do this.

Step 1: Download Windows Media Player 11 Installer for Windows 7 (Update: January 31, 2012 – Link updated)

Step 2: Type services.msc in Windows 7 search bar and open the services application.

Step 3: Find the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and Stop it.

Step 4: You will need to take Ownership of several files which include:

1. 1. All files in Program Files\Windows Media Player\ folder
   2. All files starting with wmp in System32 folder
   3. wmploc.dll.mui in Sytem32\en-us\ folder

Step 5: Run the Windows Media Player 11 Installer you had downloaded earlier.

Step 6: Type Regedit in Windows 7 search bar and open the registry editor application.

Step 7: Delete following Registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup\Installed Versions

Step 8: Reboot your Windows 7 for the changes to take effect.

That’s it, with these steps you will be able to downgrade WMP 12 and use WMP 11 instead. Want to share any Windows 7 tips? Feel free to contact us with your tips.

The post How To Uninstall Windows Media Player 12 on Windows 7? appeared first on Techie Buzz.

First, let’s get a couple of questions out of the way.

What is a DNS server?

DNS stuff can get pretty complicated, and I don’t want to go into details, so I’ll just give you a general idea. A DNS server is like a phone book. If you want to call someone using your phone, you may need to look up their phone number. Every website on the net has a 12 digit number (IP Address) that your PC needs to know in order to contact it. When you type a website name into a browser, your PC queries it’s assigned DNS server (the phone book), the DNS server reports the IP address (the phone number) back to your PC, and the PC initiates a connection with the site you requested. This all happens automatically and you really don’t need to know about DNS to use it. Most people are using a private DNS server that’s assigned by their Internet Service Provider, however, there are many open (public) DNS servers out there that anyone can use. Google’s new DNS server is only one among thousands.

Why would you want to use Google’s Public DNS?

I’m not sure that I completely agree with the reasons given at the Google Public DNS home page, but they state that their DNS service is faster, more secure and fairly private. Personally, I prefer OpenDNS, but that’s a topic for another time.

The post How to use Google Public DNS on Windows 7 and Windows XP appeared first on Techie Buzz.

In order to avoid accidental triggering, Aero Peek doesn’t get activated immediately. Instead you need to wait for about half a second. This delay is mostly unnecessary and can be annoying. Fortunately for us, it is quite easy to make Aero Peek trigger instantly.

1. 1. Type regedit in the Start Menu or the Run (Win + R) box. This will launch the Windows Registry Editor.
   2. Now browse to the following location:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
   3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value DesktopLivePreviewHoverTime from the Edit Menu.

1. 1. Double click on this entry to edit its value. Set the base to Decimal and enter 0 as the value. You can actually enter any delay value you wish. Just remember that the unit of time used here is millisecond (1000ms=1s).

1. That’s it. All you need to do now is logoff or restart to see the changes.

If you don’t want to go through all this trouble, you can also download this registry script. Simply double click on the script (.reg file) to apply the tweak.

Of course, if you don’t like Aero Peek and find it pointless, you should disable it entirely. Right click on an empty spot in the taskbar and select Properties. Uncheck the box next to Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop to disable Aero Peek.

The post How To Reduce Aero Peek’s Delay Time appeared first on Techie Buzz.

I tweeted about it and fellow Techie buzzer Clif Sipe gave me a working solution, so here is a post that will show you how to get HP Quick Launch Buttons working in Windows 7.

Step 1: Visit HP.com in your web browser and select support & drivers from the menu.

Step 2: From the available radio buttons select Download drivers and software (and firmware) under Step 1. Under Step 2 enter the product number of your HP laptop or PC, in my case it was dv6875se (you will find this under your laptop or the serial number sticker on your desktop). Once you have entered the product number click on the Go button.

Step 3: In some cases HP will display a list of laptops/desktops that match yours select the one that you have to go to the driver page. In cases where you entered the exact product number it will take you directly to the drivers page.

Step 4: In the available list of operating systems click on Microsoft Windows Vista for 32-bit Windows 7 or Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit) for for 64-bit Windows 7.

Step 5: Scroll down till you see Driver – Keyboard, Mouse and Input Devices, in that list click on the link HP Quick Link Launch Buttons to download the drivers.

Step 6: Install the downloaded software and the quick launch buttons will become functional again.

I tested this out on my laptop and everything works perfectly fine.

The post Get HP Quick Launch Buttons in Windows 7 appeared first on Techie Buzz.

Windows 7 Features Walkthrough

Want to learn what is new in Windows 7? The How-To-Geek has put up a comprehensive screenshot tour, which walks you through the new features in Windows 7. Take a look at what you should expect from Windows 7 beta to learn more.

10 Things You Should Know Before Installing Windows 7

Windows 7 is in beta, and there are bound to be several things which will not work. The Windows 7 center has a list of 10 things you should know before you install Windows 7.

Dual Boot Windows 7 With Windows XP and Vista

Windows 7 is still in beta and it would be a tad bit early to get a brand new PC to just run Windows 7, so it makes more sense for users to stick to a current machine and dual boot Windows 7 with the current operating system. Adam Pash from Lifehacker has put up a nice tutorial using which you can dual boot Windows 7 with Windows XP and Vista.

What are Windows 7 System Requirements?

Windows 7 is not as resource hungry as Windows Vista, and you can run Windows 7 on a really low configuration. Learn more about the Windows 7 System Requirements.

How To Get Genuine Windows 7 Beta Product Key?

If you have downloaded Windows 7 Beta 32-bit or 64-bit, you will not be able to run it unless you use a valid product key, read our earlier guide to know, how you can get a Genuine Windows 7 Beta Product Key.

List of Compatible Anti-Virus for Windows 7

Windows is one of the most exploited operating system and you definitely cannot survive online threats without a good anti-virus and anti-spyware software. The How-To-Geek lists has compiled a list of Anti-virus softwares compatible with Windows 7.

5 Great Features in Windows 7

Martin from Ghacks talks about 5 Great Features you should know about in Windows 7, he promises that those features are not just run of the mill.

Extend Windows 7 Trail From 30 To 120 Days

The Windows 7 product keys are programmed to run for 30 days, however the How-To-Geek has a tutorial that will help you extend Windows 7 trial period from 30 to 120 days.

Shortcut Keys in Windows 7

Shortcut Keys definitely save users a lot of time, and Minty White has come up with a handy list of shortcut keys available in Windows 7, definite time saver.

Hidden Themes In Windows 7

The latest versions of Windows are more about looks, and Windows themes are definitely a craze, however Windows 7 does not allow users to use all the themes out of the box. Nirmal points out a neat trick that will allow you to use all the hidden themes in Windows 7.

How To Remove Send Feedbacklink from Windows 7 Title Bar?

Windows 7 is in beta mode and Microsoft is looking for feedback, fair enough, however many users are irked to see the Send Feedbacklink in the title bar of all the windows, Minty White talks about a registry hack that will allow users to remove the Send Feedbacklink from Windows 7 title bar.

Windows 7 Problem Steps Recorder

Windows 7 comes with a useful tool Problem Steps Recorderthat will allow users to record screen activities just like a regular screen capture program albeit for debugging purpose. The I Started Something blog tells us more about the Problem Steps Recorder and how you can use it.

How To Enable Aero In Windows 7?

We all love eye candy, but with that comes the need of a higher configuration PC. BlogsDNA tells us how to Enable Aero in Windows 7 on a decent configured PC.

How To Set Taskbar Buttons to Show Text Instead of Icons Only?

Windows 7 has a icon only taskbar, however Tech Recipes shows users How to set the Taskbar Buttons to Show Text Instead of Icons-Only.

How To Enable Run Command In Windows 7?

The run command is hidden by default in Windows 7 and blame it on the improvised start menu, however this trick can help you enable and display the run command in Windows 7.

How to Enable Disable Taskbar Thumbnails Preview in Windows 7?

BlogsDNA has another interesting tutorial where they talk about the trick to enable or disable the taskbar thumbnails in Windows 7.

How to Enable – Disable Quick Launch Toolbar in Windows 7?

The Quick Launch bar has been disabled by default in Windows 7, BlogsDNA tells us How to Enable – Disable Quick Launch Toolbar in Windows 7

How to Show AM / PM Symbols in System Tray Clock in Windows 7?

Windows 7 uses a 24 hour clock to display the time, Tweaking with Vishal shows us change it back to show AM / PM Symbols in System Tray Clock in Windows 7.

Updates

We will use this section to link to new updates on handy Windows 7 tips and Tricks that will help you with using Windows 7

This is a non-exhaustive list and I will keep adding more content as and when I come across them, if you want to contribute or add your content to the list, feel free to contact us or drop a comment.

The post Ultimate List Of Windows 7 Tips and Tricks appeared first on Techie Buzz.

Windows Vista users had an option to change the alignment of the screen, from right to left or left to right in the Windows mobility center. However, Windows 7 does not have the same option. Quite curiously, I asked the question on Twitter, as not much info was available for it online, and thankfully @edbott replied to me with the answer.

So if anyone else is facing a problem with changing the dual monitor position on Windows 7, here is a solution for it. Please make sure that your external display is already connected and functional.

Step 1: Search for display and click on the “Connect to an external display” option in the results. Alternatively, you can also open Control Panel -> Display and click on the Adjust Resolution link in the left-hand menu.

Step 2: To adjust the orientations of your monitor, just drag and drop the appropriate monitor and place it wherever you want. You could move it to the right, left top or bottom position.

Step 3: Once you have placed the monitor in the position you want, click on the Apply button to apply the changes. If you are satisfied with the setup, click on the Ok button.

Few Notes:

• If you place the primary monitor at the bottom, you will get a bottom-to-top orientation.
• If you place the primary monitor on top, you will get a top to bottom orientation.
• The left will give you left to right, and the right will give you a right-to-left orientation.

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