Windows 7 includes many features that can be used to help organize your desktop and keep you more productive. Listed below are some of the features along with a description of what the action does and how to use the feature. Learn these tips and tricks and you will be the master of your desktop!

Gadgets

Gadgets are small applications such as a weather updates that were first introduced in Windows Vista. Windows 7 takes gadgets to the next level by allowing you to position them anywhere on the desktop and resize them to fit better.

Gadgets can be added or changed by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Gadgets which will open the Gadget application. Additional Gadgets can also be downloaded from Internet.

Background Images

You can use your favorite photos as your background image and have Windows 7 change the background image at a set interval allowing you to allows have a different background.

1. Right-click on the desktop

2. Select Personalize

3. Click on Desktop Background

4. Click on the Browse button and select the location of your pictures

5. Select the images that you want use for your backgrounds

6. Click on the Shuffle box

7. Select duration under the Change picture every dropdown

8. Click on Save changes

Aero Peek

Take a peek at your desktop by clicking on the small rectangle in the lower-right corner of your taskbar or use the keyboard shortcut by clicking on the Windows logo key + the spacebar.

Pin-Ups

It is easy to make you most accessed folders more accessible by pinning the folder to the taskbar. To pin a folder to the taskbar click on the folder and drag it to the taskbar. The folder will not appear directly on the taskbar but under the Windows Explorer icon on the task bar (the icon that look like a file folder).

In addition to folders being attached to the taskbar you can also attach applications. To pin an application to the taskbar right-click on the icon for the application and select Pin to Taskbar.

To remove an application from the taskbar right-click on the application in the taskbar and select Unpin this application from the taskbar.

Auto-Arrange Desktop

To quickly restore order and organize your desktop icons press and hold the F5 key. This will arrange all the icons on your desktop based on your default settings.

Minimize Inactive Windows

There are two methods that can be used to quickly minimize all inactive windows. The first method is called AeroShake. To use AeroShake hold your mouse over the window title bar and while holding the left mouse button shake the mouse side to side. To restore the windows repeat the process.