Vista - Help w/Customization Issues

If you can just tell me where to look, I'll find it (I think):
1: I would like to customize my Explorer so that all detail are seen on
every folder as well as file extensions for all files. Can't seem to find
the correct way to do this for every folder although I can do it for
individual ones.
2: I would like access and viewing of all folders on my HDD; hidden, system,
whatever, as well as all files.
3: I need an easier way to customize my start menu than going to
c:\Windows\system32\Windows\Start Menu (?). Any way to do this.
4: How do I get access (log onto) the Administrator's account?
5: I have a Unix / Windows interface called Cygwin from Red Hat that I'd
like to install and use correctly. I've used it on all of Win98, Win2K,
WinNT, WinXP. I know, I know. This is an Application and not Microsoft S/W
and I can always get onto Cygwin and ask the questions, but does anyone have
experience in this who would like to lend a hand?
6: I'm using Vanilla Microsoft Windows Mail and would like to save messages
to a folder of my choice. The directory popup seems to restrict me to the
Mailbox folder. Any way to change this?
7: In previous versions of Windows the messaging system allowed me to
prevent downloading of messages from my ISP and/or to download but not
delete messages from the ISP. Anyway to do this in Windows Mail?

I must admit that this is the worst implementation of a Windows O/S from
Microsoft that I have ever seen. If I had known the extent of the problems
that I was going to face I would have asked Fry's to install XP on the
computer that I purchased. I have WinXP on my laptop, Win2K on my (other)
desktop, and had at different times WinNT and Win2K at my workplace. None of
these OS's gave me the headaches that this monster has. What was Microsoft
thinking?

If you can answer any of the questions it would be a big help. Even giving
me a starting point (books, online resources, or help files) with some
guidance as to what to ask would be a big help. I'm at a loss as to what to
do. My ability to get some useful work done (as well as unuseful game
playing) is at a standstill.

art

If you can just tell me where to look, I'll find it (I think):
1: I would like to customize my Explorer so that all detail are seen on
every folder as well as file extensions for all files. Can't seem to find
the correct way to do this for every folder although I can do it for
individual ones. I think that I saw this same question online but I don't
think I saw an answer.
2: I need an easier way to customize my start menu than going to
c:\Windows\system32\Windows\Start Menu (?). Any way to do this.
3: How do I get access (log onto) the Administrator's account?
4: Any way to access Usenet Newsgroups? In Outlook Express I can easily
do this.


If you can answer any of the questions it would be a big help. Even giving
me a starting point (books, online resources, or help files) with some
guidance as to what to ask would be a big help.

art

Hi,

Hang in there, it's not so bad once you get use to it and have all the Vista compatible drivers installed. Just keep posting here for help. We'll help you get it Ironed out the best we can.

1: I would like to customize my Explorer so that all detail are seen on
every folder as well as file extensions for all files. Can't seem to find
the correct way to do this for every folder although I can do it for
individual ones.

A: While in Explorer
A) click on Tools
B) click on Folder Options
C) click on View
D) make any settings changed here you would like
E) click Apply when done
F) click on Apply to folders button to apply to all folders
G) click OK to finish
However, Vista is bad about defaulting back to it's original settings on folder details.

2: I would like access and viewing of all folders on my HDD; hidden, system, whatever, as well as all files.

A: Same as above. Just make sure you have the Show hidden files & folders checked, Show System files, etc...

3: I need an easier way to customize my start menu than going to
c:\Windows\system32\Windows\Start Menu (?). Any way to do this.

A: Same area, but right click Start Menu & select Explore all Users.
Also, from within the Start Menu itself:
A) right click start menu
B) click on Properties
C) click on Customize button
D) check Enable context menus and dragging and dropping
E) make any other changes you would like here to
F) click OK
G) click OK again to apply

4: How do I get access (log onto) the Administrator's account?

A: When you set up Vista you are already using a Administrator's account. Vista just treats it like a standard account and will ask for confirmation when it needs Administrator permissions.

5: I have a Unix / Windows interface called Cygwin from Red Hat that I'd
like to install and use correctly. I've used it on all of Win98, Win2K,
WinNT, WinXP. I know, I know. This is an Application and not Microsoft S/W and I can always get onto Cygwin and ask the questions, but does anyone have experience in this who would like to lend a hand?

A: I don't know on this. Maybe someone else may be able to answer here.

6: I'm using Vanilla Microsoft Windows Mail and would like to save messages to a folder of my choice. The directory popup seems to restrict me to the Mailbox folder. Any way to change this?

A: Open the E-mail you want to save somewhere else
A) click on File (Top on toolbar menu)
B) click SAVE AS
C) select location where you want to save it.

7: In previous versions of Windows the messaging system allowed me to
prevent downloading of messages from my ISP and/or to download but not
delete messages from the ISP. Anyway to do this in Windows Mail?

A: I Don't know. Might check with ISP.

Hope this helps you some,
Shawn