Solve Windows problems quickly

Here at Computeractive, we’re never short of questions about computers and how to fix the many things that can go wrong with them.

In this article we’ve collected a few of the most common Windows problems and the ways to fix them – usually in just a minute or two.

File grouping fix – Windows 7, Vista
Q Whenever I view the My Documents folder there are headings called Today, Yesterday, Last week and A long time ago. How can I get rid of them?

A Right-click on an empty part of the Windows Explorer window, left-click on Group by and then left-click on (None).

Scroll or browse? – Windows XP
Q The All Programs list in the Start Menu used to show several columns, now it displays just one. How do I change it back?

A Right-click on the Start button and left-click on Properties. Click on the Customise button in the Start Menu tab and then the Advanced tab. Scroll through the list to Scroll Programs and click in the box to remove the tick. Click on OK.

Task Manager tabs – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q The Task Manager has lost all its tabs and menus. How do I get them back?

A Double-click on the edge of the Task Manager window to restore the tabs.

Missing Quick Launch – Windows 7
Q There’s no Quick Launch area in the Windows 7 Taskbar. Is there a replacement?

A Left-click on the Start button and type the name of the program you want. Right-click on its icon and left-click on Pin to Taskbar.

Taskbar gone awry – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q My Taskbar has moved to the right-hand side of the screen. How can I move it so that it sits back at the bottom of the screen?

A The Taskbar can be moved to a different side by left-clicking close to the Start menu and dragging it to the desired location. To prevent this from happening again, right-click on the Taskbar and then left-click on Lock the Taskbar.

The wrong browser – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q Firefox is my default internet web browser but Internet Explorer always offers to take its place. How do I stop this happening again?

A Start Internet Explorer, refusing the offer to set it as the default browser. Click on the Tools button and Internet Options. Click on the Programs tab and then click in the box labelled ‘Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default browser’ so that the tick disappears. Click on OK.

Wrong Windows starts – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q My computer runs Windows 7 alongside Windows Vista, with Vista as the default operating system. I much prefer Windows 7. Can I make it the default?

A Run Windows 7, Click Start, right-click on Computer and then left-click on Properties. Click on Advanced System Settings. Click on the Settings button in the ‘Startup and Recovery’ section. Select Windows 7 in the Default Operating System menu and click on OK.

Disk space missing – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q My hard disk is nearly full but my Documents folder isn’t that big. Where’s the space gone?

A Windows often keeps copies of files that aren’t really needed. Click on the Start button and then (My) Computer. Right-click on the C: icon and left-click on Properties. Click on the Disk Cleanup button and follow the wizard.

Too many fonts – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q Several programs have installed fonts on my computer. I would like to remove some but the Windows Font utility doesn’t show what each looks like. How can I see them?

A Download Cfont Pro here. It can remove fonts to a backup folder so they can be put back in future if necessary.

Stop the swapping – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q I’m fed up with swapping CD-Roms. Can I store them all in my computer?

A A free tool called ISO Disk can copy CDs and DVDs to your computer and load them as if placing a disc in the PC. This method won’t work with games, though.

Moving My Documents – Windows 7, XP, Vista
Q I recently fitted a new hard disk as the old one was running out of space. Can I move the My Documents folder onto it?

A Yes, but use the correct tool. In XP or Vista click on the Start button, right-click on (My) Documents and then left-click on Properties. Click on the Location tab and then on Move. To find this setting in Windows 7 click on the Start button and Documents. Click on the arrow to expand Documents in the Libraries section and right-click on My Documents.

If you have problems with networks, security, hardware or software, have a look at these articles, where you may find a solution:
Solve network problems
Solve security problems
Solve hardware problems
Solve software problems

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