Think you know what’s in Windows 7 by now? Microsoft’s latest operating system comes with a lot more tools and utilities than most people realize. Most of them haven’t been advertised as much as the headline features — which means they’re well hidden. But you don’t have to remain in the dark. Read on to learn more.
Security Gems
Security is a big deal these days, and Windows 7 comes equipped with a host of tools to make your PC more secure.
First, biometric (fingerprint) authentication is built in. If you have a fingerprint reader in your desktop or notebook keyboard, Windows 7 supports it. If you want to add fingerprint logon capability, get yourself a USB fingerprint reader from an electronics retailer. They range in price from 15 to 35 dollars.
Once the reader is installed, you can use Windows 7’s Biometric Devices dialog box, in the Control Panel, to configure your reader and enable it for logging on to your PC. It beats typing passwords — and it’s a lot more secure.
The Credential Manager is another welcome security enhancement. You can use it to store passwords for other computers you access over a network as well as for Web sites. You can even back up your “credential vault” so that you can take your credentials to another PC. Open the Start menu, type “credential manager,” and check it out.
ISO Burner
Burning ISO images — which are essentially single-file replications of entire CDs or DVDs — used to be the exclusive province of special add-on tools such as UltraISO or PowerISO. While those tools are still highly recommended, you can save your money if all you ever need to do is burn the occasional disk from an ISO file.
Windows 7’s built-in Burn Disc Image tool does the job. To use it, simply double-click an…