10 Tips for using Windows 95
Everything you always wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)

Increase your productivity with this specially compiled Q&A, designed to help answer some of the most frequently asked questions about using Windows 95


"How can I Customise the Start button in Microsoft Windows 95? I would like to make the desktop more suited to the way I work."
Simply click and drag any object from the desktop and drop it on the Start button. This will automatically add it to the Start Menu.
"I find it confusing to have too many windows open on my desktop. Is there any way I can minimise them?"
In Windows 95 you just have to right click on the Taskbar and choose Minimise All Windows from the drop down menu. This will minimise all open windows to the Taskbar simultaneously, clearing the desktop and giving it focus.
"Is there a Quick Key I can use to find a file?"
While the desktop is active (to verify that the desktop is active, press ctrl+esc followed by esc), press the F3 key. This will open the Find File window and allow you to search for a file on the computer.
"I would like to customise my desktop. How do I go about changing the display properties that are already set up?"
Right click anywhere on the desktop and choose Properties. The Display Properties dialog box appears, and allows you to adjust the colour scheme, fonts, font and window sizes, screen saver, monitor resolution, and monitor type for your PC.
"Is there a simple way to launch programs within Windows 95?"
Click on the Start button and choose the Run command. Any application or applet in the computer’s path statement will be launched by typing its name. Similarly, network drives can be browsed or viewed in the same way using the syntax \\computer name or \\computer name\share.
"How do I go about sending files from my desktop?"
Right click on the file you would like to send, choose Send To, and select the destination from the drop down menu.
"How can I create shortcuts on my desktop in Windows 95?"
Right click on the desktop, choose New from the drop down list, and select Shortcut. After providing the path and Shortcut name, the new Shortcut will be created on the desktop.
"I believe you can view documents without spending time opening the applications in Windows 95. How do I go about this?"
Right click on any document and choose Quick View from the drop down menu. This will allow you to view the item without launching the application with which it is associated. Note: Quick View is an optional installable component in Windows 95 accessories. If it wasn’t installed during the preliminary installation, use control panel, add/remove programs to add it now.
"I would like to view my drive contents and change drive properties from my desktop. Is this possible?"
Right click on any drive and choose Properties. The Properties box will appear, allowing you to label the disk, view its properties or run system optimisation tools such as Disk Compression, Scandisk or Defrag.
"If ever my system hangs, it is very annoying to have to reboot. Does Windows 95 offer any alternatives?"
If your system ‘hangs’, press ctrl+alt+del. The Close Program dialog box appears, allowing you to close the hung application without rebooting the system.