Seven Cool Tools in Windows 7

Windows 7 comes with some cool tools bundled along, that let you do things in a better way. Here is a list.


Problem Steps Recorder

This is a very important and probably a lifesaving feature of Windows 7. This feature lets you record a particular problem you are experiencing with your PC, so you can send it to someone who may be better equipped to solve the problem. All you need to do is open the Problem Steps Recorder (PSR), click "Record", after which a screenshot is taken with every mouse click. You can also add comments if required. A properly formatted HTML document with all the screenshots in steps and comments is created and placed inside a ZIP archive on the desktop to be attached and emailed to an expert. The PSR can be started by entering psr.exe in the Start menu Search box or at the command prompt.


Credential Manager

Credential Manager is a new feature in Windows 7 and is similar to Vista's password management feature in User Accounts applet. This tool lets you manage Windows credentials for various computers you sign into, as well as certificate-based credentials and other generic credentials for email accounts, web accounts, etc. All these are stored in the Windows Vault by default. Credential Manager also lets you backup and restore the Vault. You can backup your credentials to a USB Flash drive so that you can restore it in case of a hardware failure.


System Repair Disc

System Repair Disc is an invaluable tool that can be a lifesaver in case your system fails to boot into Windows. Using this tool, you can create a System Repair Disc that can be used to revive your computer. To open this tool, click Start and type System Repair in the Search Box. Click on 'Create A System Repair Disc', which will open the dialog box where you can select the burner installed in your system and click Create disc. To revive your system in the failed state, you need to put this disc into the drive and boot it from this disc. You will get a list of system recovery options, which include: Startup repair, System restore, System image recovery, Windows memory diagnostic and Command prompt.

Backup utility

While a backup tool was present in Windows Vista, an improved version with more flexible options has been incorporated into Windows 7. This tool lets you backup your files to a local hard drive, a removable disk, an optical drive, or to another computer on a network. You can then choose to backup libraries or individual folders or even exclude certain folders as you may deem necessary.


Text tuning and color calibration

Most of us simply install display drivers and continue to work without paying attention to how the monitor looks or whether we can do something to enhance or improve the image quality. Windows 7 has a set of two tools that takes care of this. The first of these tools it ClearType Text Tuner, which can be opened from the Control Panel. This lets you fine tune the type on each monitor individually in case you have multiple monitors. It looks similar to the eye charts at the optometrist, so you can select the one that looks the best to you. The other tool is known as Display Color Calibration, which is a wizard that lets you adjust the gamma, brightness, contrast and color rendition on the monitor to fine tune the way the image is displayed on your monitor.

Math Input Panel

Math Input Panel recognizes handwritten math expression using the math recognizer that's built into Windows 7. Built with tablet PCs and touchscreen interfaces in mind, this tool lets you enter mathematical expressions which get converted to recognized math and can then be inserted into a word-processing or computational program. While Math Input Panel is designed to be used with a tablet pen on a Tablet PC or a touchscreen, you can even use your mouse to input the expressions.


Private Character Editor

Wouldn't it be cool to have fonts in your handwriting that you can use them in documents? While there have been tools to make this happen before, Windows 7 comes with one that lets you get the job done very easily. The tool in question is known as Private Character Editor and it can be used to create your own characters, which can then be inserted into documents by using Character Map. You can even edit existing characters if you want to.

Source: techtree