How to allow users to Run only specified programs in Windows 7?

You can allow users to run only specified programs in Windows 7 operating systems. It is up to you if you want your shared computer to allow users to run only specified programs in Windows 7. A shared computer in an office, for example, can be set in the same way if the company does not want the employees to run all types of programs. You can allow the users to run only specified programs in Windows 7 by using the Local Group Policy. However, you cannot do this in the Home editions of Windows 7 as it does not provide the Local Group Policy Editor.

 Click on the Start button.

Type “gpedit.msc” in the search box of the Start menu and press the Enter button on the keyboard.

Local Group Policy Editor will open. Scroll down to “User Configuration”, “Administrative Templates” and then “System” on the left hand side of the window pane.

On the right hand side of the window, under “Setting”, navigate and double-click on “Run only specified Windows applications”.

Select Enabled from the window.

Click on “Show” under Options. 

The Show Contents window pane will appear. Here you can type the applications you want to let the users run.

How to Create a Shortcut for Locking the Computer Screen in Windows 7?

There are many ways in which you can lock the computer screen. The most popular as well as the fastest way to lock it is to use a keyboard shortcut. The keyboard shortcut used to lock the computer screen is Win+L. A few of us choose to utilize the mouse to lock it. And of course many people like to use both the options.

There is another method in which we can lock the computer screen. It is to create a shortcut for locking the computer screen in Windows 7. You can create a shortcut for locking the computer screen in Windows 7, XP and Vista too. Follow these steps in order to create a shortcut for locking the computer screen in Windows 7 as well as other editions:

Right-click on the desktop where you would like to create the shortcut.
Point to New.

Click on Shortcut from the menu.

Type in this text in the shortcut textbox. (This text will work for Windows XP as well even though the screen will be different)
rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Click on the Next button.
Type in a name for your shortcut.
Click on the Finish button.  
You have successfully created a shortcut to lock your workstation. Just click on the shortcut whenever you want to lock the computer screen.

How to enable or disable the windows firewall in windows 7?

A firewall is a software or hardware base solution to filter the incoming and outgoing traffic of your computer or network. All the entering or leaving traffic from your computer pass through the firewall, which inspect the all types of traffic and either allow or deny the traffic depending upon the firewall settings. Microsoft includes the built-in firewall feature in all latest windows operating systems like windows XP, Vista and now in windows 7.

Follow the given steps to configure built-in firewall in windows 7:

To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

First click on Start button and then click on Control Panel option.

Now in Control Panel click on “System and Security” link to go next.

On next page, you can see the firewall link “Windows Firewall”, Click on this link to configure the firewall.

There are many options on the left side panel of this page regarding firewall configurations under “Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall”, For example

• Change notification settings
• Turn Windows Firewall on or off
• Restore defaults
• Advanced settings
  

  On the right side panel, you can see the two types of link for firewall settings, For example

  • Home or Work (Private) networks
  • Public networks

  

  Now in left side panel, click on Change notification settings to customize the firewall settings.
  
  By default windows firewall is on for both private and public network, here you can turn off the default firewall policies.

  

  
  

  To allow the default or recommended settings either click on the Use recommended settings button on the right pane or click on the Restore default link on the left side panel.

  

  Here click on the Restore default button and a restore defaults confirmation message will be opened, Click on Yes button.

  

  But if you are a expert user then you can use the Advance Settings link on left side panel to configure the advance firewall settings for inbound and outbound traffic according to your need.

  

  Click on the Inbound Rules link in the left side panel. You can see here a list of all Inbound Rules is displayed. On clicking an enabled rule, a list of actions is shown in the Actions Pane. Click on Disable Rule to disable the selected rule. You can also Cut, Copy and Delete the rule.

  

  Same here Outbound Rules for outgoing traffic.
  

How to Access Hidden Themes in Windows 7?

Windows 7 offers a good assortment of themes to customize the feel as well as the look of your computer. Windows 7 features particular themes which are based on the location and the language you select while you install the Windows 7. You can look for the location-specific theme in the Personalize menu. You just have to right-click at any place upon your computer desktop. You will be able to get the couple of themes according to your location.

Other than the location specific themes which you get by default, you can access hidden themes in Windows 7 which are offered to other regions. So the default themes which you get according to your region are not the only themes you can use. It is possible to access hidden themes in Windows 7 very easily in your system. This is what you have to do:

 Click Start.

 In the search box of the Start menu, type C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT.

Your Windows Explorer will show you a window with additional themes. These will be from Great Britain, South Africa, Australia and Canada.

You have the option to select the wallpaper only or you can install the whole theme if you want.

You will be able to install the entire brand-new theme by double clicking on the required file.

The new theme you add will show under “My Themes” within the “Personalization” pane.

You can also download many themes for Windows 7 from different website including the Microsoft official website. But you should first try to customize and access hidden themes in Windows 7 as you might not feel the need to download additional themes from elsewhere after that.. 

How to Install Windows Live Essentials in Windows 7?

AS you start using Windows 7, you find out that a few of the good Windows applications are not there. It is very easy to take care of that. You can install Windows Live Essentials in Windows 7 and so get your desired Microsoft applications in your computer.

You should install Windows Live Essentials in Windows 7 as Microsoft has not added a number of former applications e.g. Photo Gallery, Messenger and Mail in Windows 7. Jointly called the Windows Live Essentials, the group consists of Family Safety, toolbar, Writer, Mail, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery and Messenger. This group of applications is now accessible by a simple additional download.   Microsoft has done this in order to renovate as well as make progress in those features and not disturbing the foundation of Windows 7. To install Windows Live Essentials in Windows 7 and thus get the Microsoft applications, you have to follow these steps:
Click on the Start button. Go to Getting Started in the Start menu.
Choose Get Windows Live Essentials.

The Windows Live page will appear. Choose your language and click on the Download button. 

Check the boxes of the MS programs you want to install. These include Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, Mail and Messenger. Additional feature of Family Safety as well as a Toolbar can also be installed.

 Click Install to download.  
You will see this progress screen as the selections are being installed.  It will take time according to the number of programs you have selected.

You can find the installed programs in the Start menu under Windows Live.

When you install Windows Live Essentials in Windows 7, you will as well get an extensive variety of additional components associated with the key applications. The users will find out that the Essentials installer will furthermore install .NET Framework, Microsoft Sync Framework Services, Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime, Search Enhancement Pack, Windows Live Sync, Direct3D 9, Microsoft Application Error Reporting etc.