Just got a Vista computer .... HELP!!!!

M

mastic

Member
Just got a Vista computer given to me by my daughter.
I am an XP driver who has not used Vista before and have run into a few things I want to change but don't know how with Vista so any help will be appreciated.

1) How do I get rid of the requirement to enter a password when booting, I have the password and can do what I like but I have no need for password protection and want the computer to boot up without any input delay.

2) How do a put a shortcut on the desktop to the file explorer and control panel? At the moment I can get the control panel through the start button but I have no way of seeing or manipulating files and I require that ability.

3) How do I change the desktop wallpaper, I just want a plain background, no picture.

4) Where is the add/remove programs utility hidden and how do I get to it?

Thanks for any help in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

Just rt click where it says Control Panel ( on the right of the start menu ), and select "Show on Desktop".

Or type control.exe in start search box, when it pops up, rt click it and select what you want to do with it. Same with explorer.exe.

Add/remove is called Programs and features in control panel.

I expect you have found how to change wallpaper. Easiest is to rt click the photo you want and select "set as desktop background"
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
SIW2 said:
Just rt click where it says Control Panel ( on the right of the start menu ), and select "Show on Desktop".

Or type control.exe in start search box, when it pops up, rt click it and select what you want to do with it. Same with explorer.exe.

Add/remove is called Programs and features in control panel.

I expect you have found how to change wallpaper. Easiest is to rt click the photo you want and select "set as desktop background"
Click to expand...

Regarding 1) Nothing done about that yet, not to worry, back to it later.
Regarding 2) Righ or left clicking the explorer opens it but there is no option to put a shortcut on the desktop and I really want a short cut there. The control panel has now got a shortcut on the desk top, it's working as I want.
Regarding 3) Okay I have got the desk top with a nice blank blue background now.
Regarding 4) Thanks, I located Programs and features and have started uninstalling some of the programs I don't want.
 

My Computer

System One

Use Control Panel, User Accounts to remove the password.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3401 Mhz, 4 Core(s)
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750, Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" C27F398 Curved Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 (HDMI)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB
    Seagate ST2000NM001 2TB
    Seagate ST31500341AS 1.5TB
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Lenovo USB
    Internet Speed
    50MB Down, 10MB Up
  • Operating System
    Windows 7 Pro X64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw4400 Workstation
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    HP 0A68h
    Memory
    5GB
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI FireGL V3300
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer KN242HYL 24" (KVMS)
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3120026As 120GB SATA (boot)
    Toshiba DT01ACA200 2TB SATA
    Mouse
    Logitech via KVMS switch
    Keyboard
    Dell USB via KVMS switch
    Internet Speed
    50 Down, 10 Up
    Other Info
    Apache Web Server since 2001
Re your #2: To expand a little on what SIW2 said, click on the Start button, and where it says "Start Search", type in "explorer.exe" (without the quotes.) The name of the program will appear, underlined, at the top of the start menu box. Right click on the underlined text, and then click on "send to," then click on "Desktop (create shortcut)" in the context menus. That'll give you an explorer icon on the desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 530
    CPU
    Intel E7300
    Motherboard
    0RY007
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GT 240
    Sound Card
    Realtek (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W1942T, Samsung 2343BWX
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900, 2048 x 1152
    Hard Drives
    96GB SSD (system), 1TB HDD (data)
    PSU
    300W (stock)
    Internet Speed
    ~ 1.5 MB/s
Click on the start orb, Right click on your name, click show on desktop

EDIT: Don't delete it if you change your mind, go back and uncheck the box show on desktop
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
ad1) Press Start, type netplwiz, hit Enter, uncheck the little box, Apply, and go from there.

2014-09-18_1318.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Q6600
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Hard Drives
    2x250GB HDDs
    1x60GB OCZ SSD
    6 external disks 60 to 640GBs
    Other Info
    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
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