| Getting used to a new operating system is always | | | | computer that is running Microsoft Windows Vista, |
| hard, but there are many little tips and tricks that | | | | check it out; click on "Start", then click on |
| you can learn along the way to make the transition | | | | "Documents" you will see the contents of your |
| much easier. | | | | documents folder, but unless you have turned on the |
| One of the tools available in Windows that I use all | | | | menu bars, you will not see them. I cannot tell you |
| the time is the Menu Bar. This is the bar across the | | | | how many times I was stumped by the absence of |
| top of most program windows that includes items | | | | these menu bars when I first started using Windows |
| like; File, Edit, View, Tools, Insert, Help, etc. The | | | | Vista computers! |
| "Tools" menu is especially helpful when I want to | | | | Today, however, I have good news for you! If you |
| change the settings for a program or window. | | | | are working on a computer that is running Vista, and |
| Let me give you a quick example: | | | | you need to make a change or two that you know |
| When I am hunting for a file, it is not always visible | | | | you used to be able to find in the menu bar, you can |
| with the default windows settings, so I have to be | | | | make the menu bar temporarily visible in Vista just |
| able to view hidden files. To turn these hidden files | | | | by tapping the "Alt" key on your keyboard! |
| on, I click on "Tools" in the menu bar, then click on | | | | If you are using Vista, try it now by following these |
| "Folder Options" and then click on the "View" tab in | | | | steps; |
| the folder options window. On the View page, I can | | | | 1. Open a window by clicking on the "Start" orb (new |
| quickly scroll down and click on "Show hidden files and | | | | name for the round buttons in Vista and Office 2007" |
| folders", then I click the "OK" button to save my | | | | and then click on "Documents" in the right hand side |
| changes. Once I have followed these steps, it is | | | | of the start menu. |
| much easier to find the file that I am hunting for, | | | | 2. Your documents window will open. You will notice |
| especially if it is a hidden system file. Once I have | | | | that there is no menu bar showing though. |
| found my file, I can quickly go back and follow the | | | | 3. Now, tap the "Alt" key on your keyboard just |
| steps above to turn off the hidden files by clicking on | | | | once. The menu bar will appear near the top of the |
| "Do not show hidden files or folders". | | | | window. It will stay visible until you use it, or until you |
| In Windows Vista, the menu bar is not visible in most | | | | tap the "Alt" key again. |
| windows. I find the loss of these menu bars very | | | | I can't begin to tell you how much time this little trick |
| frustrating because I am always changing settings | | | | has saved me when I am using or working on |
| using those menus. If you are reading this article on a | | | | computers! |