The big complaint a lot of people have about Windows 7 is that it is too complicated. Yes it can do almost everything that you want but that confuses a lot of people. Especially those who just want to do one thing on their computers like writing documents or surfing the web/

There’s four ways that you can simplify your computer and make life easier. First you can pay a fortune to buy an Apple Mac (a computer designed for five year olds by fifty year olds), second you can buy a Google Chromebook (i.e. a smart phone with a keyboard disguised as a computer), third you can install Linux or Ubuntu (the operating systems from the Chromebook) on your PC, or four you can simplify Microsoft Windows.

I don’t know about you but simplifying Windows 7, sounds like the cheapest and easiest solution. You don’t have to learn how to be a programmer, nor do you have to buy a weird looking overpriced Apple product. Nor do you have to go to the mall and spend time with all the yuppies at the Apple store.

Basic Steps for Simplifying Windows 7

There are quite a few things that you can do to simplify Windows 7. Such simplification can make your machine faster and easier to use. Once you do it show it to your buddy who just spent too much money on a Mac. That way you can gloat when he realizes that a person does not have to spend a small fortune to get a fast computer.

The first thing you should do to simplify Windows 7 is clean up your desktop. Go through it and turn off everything you don’t use. Then only leave the things that you use on the desktop. Instead actually go in and look up other things you use. The easiest way to do this is to wait until Windows asks you to get rid of unused desktop icons and do it.

There are some other advantages to this if somebody else comes over and uses your computer. He or she does not have to see what games you’re playing or what websites you’re visiting.

A good way to keep your desktop clean is to right click on programs you use and chose pin to taskbar. This means that the programs will pop up on the taskbar instead of on the desktop. That means you will be able to find the programs you want or need when you want.

Instead of leaving the desktop a mess put everything into folders. For example create a folder for work, another for games, another for your photos, etc.. Save everything there so you will know how to use it. This will actually make your computer faster but it can make it neater.

Other Things You to Simplify Windows 7

Most of the online geeks recommend that you install Windows 7 on a blank or clean hard drive. That means you should save all the files you want then erase everything else. It also means that reinstalling Windows 7 from a flash drive can clean up Windows 7. It might also be a good idea to install a fresh version of Windows 7 occasionally.

Turning the automatic updates can also help because contrary to popular belief Microsoft does fix errors in Windows. The automatic updates can install patches and other fixes that can simplify Windows 7. Installing Windows LiveSync can also help.

Go Through Your Files

Once you’ve cleaned up your desktop do the same for your entire system. Go through the programs in the start menu and look for programs that you do not use. You can use the add remove programs feature in the control panel to kill programs you do not want. Or you can just right click on them.

Look for duplicate programs and stuff that you simply do not use. If you don’t use Netflix online there’s no reason for a Netflix connection but if you have Windows 7, you have one. Another feature to look for is virtualization. If you do not run programs in other operating systems like Linux or Windows XP there’s no reason for it but you might have it. It could be called Virtual PC.

Try reconfiguring the system to fit your needs. For example if you don’t print from your computer, you don’t need a print spinner. You can also turn off most of the desktop effects if you follow the device I gave about speeding up the computer earlier.

Other things that you can shut down are Windows Search, Windows Time, Tablet Input, Protected Storage and Password Protection to name just a few. These services are automatic in Windows 7 even if you do not use them. If you use Mozilla or Google Chrome as your search engine you really do not need Windows Search.

Windows Does Not Have to Be Complicated

Contrary to popular belief, Windows 7 does not have to be complicated. It can run just as well or even better with a lot fewer icons and features. Microsoft just does not like the idea that the average computer user can live without most of its creations.

Simplifying Windows can be fun and it is a lot cheaper and easier than buying an Apple or switching to Linux. You do not have to buy another computer or learn another operating system. Life does not have to be complicated and neither does Windows.