There are many tweaks that can be performed in all versions of MS-Windows, but the one we will look at here are the one which are either increasing the productivity or are speeding up the overall pc.

In general what follows can be used in any windows version, if not will be indicated.

We like to have a lot of space on the desktop, when it is too busy the productivity will suffer, also we like to access quickly an application without minimize everything just to arrive to the desktop. So what we do is simple, we drag all our most important applications from the desktop to the bottom toolbar, next to the already existing icons of Desktop, Outlook express, Internet Explorer. So click with the left button of the mouse on the icon on the desktop, keeping the button down drag the icon down until a vertical line is seen on the toolbar, at that moment let the button go, you should see a small icon similar to the one you had on the desktop, next to your Quick Launch icons (Desktop, IE, OE), now you can call a program even if the main screen is fully open, as the icon is not behind but below in the always visible toolbar.

We like also to have a nice screensaver and a nice background when we work in Windows, and Windows Themes can help on that, the only problem is that maybe we like the screensaver of one theme and the background of another. No problem, as far the Windows themes are loaded ( Start > Settings > Control Panel > Themes ) you can mix and match with no problem. Just a point to remember, if the write up is too dark or the themes fonts are not what you like, do not despair, just click the right button on the desktop, go to Appearance and in the Scheme select ( clicking on the black arrow ) the scheme called Windows defaults. Now you have the desired background, the screensaver of your choice and the clear Windows scheme for the fonts and colours of the icons on the Desktop.

Machine too slow? A quick scandisk and a Defragmentation of the hard disk can help to speed up the things.

Double click My Computer, right click on "C drive", left click on properties > Tools > Scandisk, select standard scan and tick Fix automatically problems.

When finished, click Close, and select Defrag still in the Tools section, click Start Defrag when asked to, wait until 100% finished.

Please note, to speed up the 2 above utilities it is advisable to disable the Antivirus ( normally click the AV icon on the bottom right corner near the clock and left click on Disable or similar choice ).