When you save a file into a Windows 7 library through the common “Save As” dialog, it ends up in just one of the folders that make up that library. Here’s how to customize the default save location for any library.

As an example, if you were to save a Word document in your Documents library using the Save As dialog, it would end up in your My Documents folder by default. But what if you would prefer that the files get saved in a different folder that’s still part of your Documents library? Like one of your Dropbox folders, for instance?

Changing Default Save Location: Method 1

You can simply click the “Includes 3 locations” in the Open/Save dialog to make your way into the quick properties window.

From here, you can easily add or remove library locations, and if you right-click on one of them, you can choose “Set as default save location”. Useful!

Changing Default Save Location: Method 2

You can also head in Windows Explorer down to the Libraries section, right-click on any of the libraries, and choose Properties.

This will take you into the extended library properties window, where you can add or remove locations, and click the Set save location to set the default.

You’ll note in the screenshots above that I’ve included my Dropbox documents folder—this is a really great way to include your Dropbox folders in the default libraries, and set the default location as your Dropbox instead of the regular folders.

Note: While we used the Documents library as the example here, this should work for any of your Windows 7 libraries.

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Firefox: Some sites (like IMDB) prevent you from performing certain actions, like right clicking, on their pages. Firefox extension RightToClick disables these scripts, giving you the ability to right click, select text, or perform other actions forbidden by a given web site.After installing the add-on, you’ll notice a new green cursor icon in your toolbar or status bar (depending on your Firefox setup). If you stumble upon a site that won’t let you perform certain actions on their pages, just click RightToClick’s icon to disable that JavaScript. The icon will animate and you’ll be able to bring up the context menu, select text, drag and drop, and do any of the other things the site originally disabled. There aren’t a ton of web sites out there that disable these actions, but it’s a handy add-on to have around if you frequent a site that does.

RightToClick is a free download, works anywhere Firefox does.

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Whether it’s quitting time at your job or the remains of the 15 minutes you gave yourself to clean your inbox, it’s handy knowing how much time you’ve got left. This minimalist URL-based web timer provides exactly that service.The page at cd.justinjc.com, cobbled together by an unknown coder, watches for the text you put after its root domain. Enter cd.justinjc.com/5p, and you’ll get a countdown timer to 5 p.m. in your current time zone, with a progress bar and percentage count shown on the page. You can also enter specific timer counts, like cd.justinjc.com/3h15m30s for a count of three hours, 15 minutes, and 30 seconds. For a raw minute count, just enter cd.justinjc.com/80. The live count is also kept in the page’s title, visible in your browser tabs.

There might be 300 JavaScript countdown timers out there, but this one just happened to catch our eye for its convenience and adaptability.

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Closed down a tab you needed in Safari? In the latest version, the same keyboard shortcut you’d use to undo an oopsie in any other program will bring it back. That’s right—Command+Z (Control+Z on Windows) to the rescue.

It makes sense, of course, but it’s also different from the Command+Shift+T (Control+Shift+T) standard that’s emerged on Firefox and Chrome browsers on Mac and Windows. Still, knowing this shortcut should save you some time from looking for an extension to get the same job done.

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iPhone 4 only: Last Friday Apple announced they’d be handing out free cases to iPhone 4 owners in response to reception problems. Today, you can download the official iPhone 4 Case Program application, which will verify your iPhone 4 and allow you to choose a bumper or other case.

Only iPhone 4 owners are eligible for this program. The app will check the IMEI and serial number to verify that you have an iPhone 4. Once eligibility is confirmed, you will be able to choose an iPhone 4 Bumper or other case. The Bumper or case will be shipped to you at no charge

All iPhone 4 purchases must be made by September 30, 2010, to qualify for this program. For iPhone 4 purchases made before July 23, 2010, you must apply no later than August 22, 2010; otherwise, you must apply within 30 days of your iPhone 4 purchase.

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Windows standalone or Firefox/Chrome/IE: If you’re looking for a snappy screenshot tool, LightShot is lightweight, fast, featured packed, and available as a stand alone application or a browser add-on.

LightShot is a lightweight screenshot tool available for Windows or as an add-on for Firefox, Chrome, and IE. You can capture screenshots in a variety of ways including uploading them to the internet via ImageShack, dumping the sreenshot to your clipboard, opening the screenshot for editing in Pixlr, or simply saving them to your computer as a JPG, PNG, or BMP. LightShot also supports hot keys for every major function—CTRL+E, for example, launches the online editor for your images while CTRL+D uploads it to ImageShack.

LightShot is a free tool and requires no registration.

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Windows/Mac/Linux: Firefox Tab Candy is a new tab management feature for Firefox that organizes tabs into groups to help you keep your tabs grouped by task. Not only does it offer incredibly handy features, but it looks beautiful.

Watch the video above, by Mozilla’s excellent interface designer Aza Raskin, for a quick overview. The idea is sort of like the new app folders in iOS 4, or like a better version of OS X’s Exposé—except for it’s all about your browser tabs. You can drag and drop to re-arrange all your tabs into groups, create new groups by simply dragging a web page outside an existing group and dragging another item on top of it, and name all your groups based on what task they’re related to.

Another favorite feature is that Tab Candy effectively collapses different windows inside of one, so when you’re looking at one group, your others are waiting inside the switching interface. Sure you can open a new window if you need multiple Firefox windows open at once, but most of the time you don’t need the extra clutter. Currently Tab Candy has a few hiccups in use, and there’s not much I can see for keyboard friendliness yet, but it’s promising.

I first tested Tab Candy on OS X, where these shortcuts don’t (yet) work, but I gave it a try and the shortcuts do indeed work in Windows. Handy!

Tab Candy isn’t currently available as an extension, but Mozilla is offering an alpha download of Firefox that includes Tab Candy by default (all platforms). We wouldn’t recommend anyone jump to it as their main browser, but if you’re eager to try it out and are comfortable with alpha software, it’s worth a look.

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Windows Messenger is the Microsoft instant messaging program built into Windows XP. There is also a Windows Messenger service built into Windows XP that helps produce pop up ads via IP addresses. The two programs are completely separate and do different things even though Microsoft has essentially named them the same.

For information on how to disable the Windows messenger service visit one of my other pages located here.

Windows Messenger (the chat program) is equally annoying if you dont use instant messaging. Microsoft has tightly integrated this program into many of its other programs including Outlook Express, Outlook and Remote Assistance. However there are ways to either disable it from starting, remove it, or for the most part completely get rid of it.

How do I disable Windows Messenger from running?

The procedures for disabling Windows Messenger will depend on the version of Windows Messenger installed on your computer.

Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on a Windows XP Professional

1) Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then press ENTER
2) Double-click the following items to expand them:

* Local Computer Policy
* Computer Configuration
* Administrative Templates
* Windows Components
* Windows Messenger

3) Double-click on the option “Do not allow Windows Messenger to run”, and then click Enabled.
4) Click OK, and then close the window

Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition

1) Start Windows Messenger.
2) Click Options on the Tools menu.
3) Click the Preferences tab, click to clear the “Run this program when Windows starts” check box, and then click OK.

Windows Messenger 4.5 or Later on Either Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
* Software
* Policies
* Microsoft

4) If the folder Messenger is not listed, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key
5) If the folder Client is not listed under Messenger, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Client for the name of the new registry key
6) On the Edit Menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value. Remember all of this is case sensitive.
7) Right-click the PreventRun value that you created, click Modify, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
Quit Registry Editor.

How to Stop Outlook or Outlook Express from Running Windows Messenger When They Are Opened

Outlook
1) Open Outlook
2) Click on Tools, Options
3) Click “Other” tab
4) Uncheck the box for Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook
5) Click OK

Outlook Express
1) Open Outlook Express
2) Click Tools, Options
3) Click General tab
4) Uncheck the box  for Automatically log on to Windows Messenger
5) Click OK

What about Removing Messenger or Uninstalling Windows Messenger from Windows XP

The procedure for removing Windows Messenger depends on whether your system has Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed. To determine whether Service Pack 1 is installed follow these directions:

1) Click on Start
2) Right click on My Computer
3) Click on Properties
4) On the General tab, under System if the words “Service Pack 1″ are listed you have the service pack.

Removing Messenger from computers WITHOUT Service Pack 1 installed

Make sure your Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Messenger and other programs are closed before doing this.

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type the following (or cut and paste it) into the Run line

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

3) Click on OK

Removing Messenger from computers WITH Service Pack 1 installed

1) Click on Start, Control Panel
2) Double click on Add or Remove Programs
3) Select Add/Remove Windows Components
4) Uncheck Windows Messenger
5) Click Next
6) Click Finish
7) Restart your computer

How to Remove Windows Messenger from Outlook Express

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
* Software
* Microsoft
* Outlook Express

4) Right click on the Outlook Express folder, click on New, click on DWORD value, and then type Hide Messenger for the name of the new registry key
5) Right-click the Hide Messenger value that you created, click Modify, type 2 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
Quit Registry Editor.

What about MSN Messenger ?

MSN Messenger is another chat program from Microsoft that can run simultaneously with Windows Messenger. Follow the instructions below to remove it.

1) Click on Start, Control Panel
2) Double click on Add or Remove Programs
3) Find MSN Messenger in the list and click on it
4) Click on Remove

If you want more information about MSN Messenger, visit Jonathan Kay’s MSN Messenger Resources page

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CD Burning or CD Writing software is essential for anyone wanting to backup their computer data to CD or DVD. The software usually allow you to save data on CD or DVD, as well as creating audio CD’s from MP3, WAV, WMA, and other types of files.

Windows XP comes with built-in software to burn to CDs or DVDs, but the features are limited. So in many cases, computer owners have other software they use to burn CDs. Most of the time, this software is either preloaded on a computer by the manufacturer or comes with the new CD-RW or DVD-RW drive you’ve purchased.

What happens when you have reformatted your computer and don’t have the original disks to reinstall the software? Are you stuck with just using the Windows XP built-in software? The answer is no. There are several good packages out there to choose from. Most of these work on Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP.

Free CD Burning Software Solutions

CD Burner XP

One of the best free CD burning utilities is CDBurnerXP. Its from a swedish development team and has great features and an easy to use interface similar to Roxio and Nero. The feature list is long, and although it doesnt burn to double-layer DVD’s yet, it will in the future. Here are some of its features.

* Writes all kind of mediums apart from double-layer DVD (follows in next version). Burning video-DVDs is limited.
* Burn audio-CDs with and without gaps between tracks
* Burn on the fly / Burn-proof
* Supports most IDE, USB, Firewire and SCSI drives
* Rip Audio-CDs to harddrive, obtain track-information (ID3-tags) from Internet
* Burn and create ISO-files
* Customizeable with many settings
* Data verification after burn, create bootable discs
* (will be) available in multiple languages
* 100% freeware – no adware or restrictions
* bin/nrg->ISO converter, simple cover printing and much more!
* Operating systems: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003 Server.

Express Burn

Express Burn is another great free alternative to the commercial CD and DVD burning packages on the market. The Australian company behind Express Burn distributes it free in the hopes that you will upgrade to Express Burn Plus. The Plus version adds the ability to create and record ISO images and, for audio CD, support for many more file formats (the basic version only supports wav and mp3). Although in most cases, the free version does an outstanding job for the average person.

Deep Burner

Deep Burner is one of my favorite free CD burning programs. Easy to use and it just works. It features the ability to data CDs and DVDs, audio CDs, and create and burn ISOs. The paid version will do even more, but for most applications the free version will do.

Download and install Deep Burner, I think you’ll be impressed.

Burn4Free

Burn4Free is a fourth alternative that definitely deserves a look.  Burn4Free is ad supported so you get some advertising throughout the program. It includes a Burn4Free toolbar and has some files that may be seen as suspicious by several antispyware programs. Its features include

1. Burn4Free burn data (CD and DVD) and audio from different files types (WAV, FLAC, WavPack, WMA, M3U (mp3 winamp compilation) , MP3, MP2, MP1 OGG and CDA (normal cd audio tracks))
2. Low cost burning : you can burn and dvd copy- backup data – cd with only 2 clicks
3. CD-R/CD-RW/DVD-R/DVD+R/DVD-RW/DVD+RW/DVD-RAM drives (SCSI – IDE/EIDE – USB) are supported
4. Multi languages: many languages are available, choose your favorite
5. Print Compilation, select layout, colors and items to print
6. 4 way to burn your CD/DVD: you can choose the way you prefer to burn a CD/DVD (fly window, right click from explorer, internal add window, derag & drop
7. Burn and save .ISO files
8. DVD dual layer support (check Compatibility menu)
9. Print Compilation
10. Burn MP3 compilation
11. Free online upgrades
12. Easy Interface
13. Easy to use ex: you can store all your movies
14. 1900 + COMPATIBLE RECORDERS

There are many other free alternatives to the commercial versions of Roxio and Nero, however I do like CD Burner XP and its features, even though you can’t burn ISO files yet.

Commercial Software Packages to Burn CDs and DVDs

Roxio CD Creator

Roxio CD Creator and related titles have been around for a long time, they are stable and easy to use, definitely a good choice.

Nero Burning Rom

Nero is another great commercial program with all the features you need to burn CDs, DVDs, ISOs, audio, and more.

What about Software to Backup DVDs?

Ok, so you can view DVD’s on your computer, but what you really want is to backup the DVDs in case of disaster. There is software still out there that allows you to do this, one of the most popular is DVD-Cloner III.

This software will allow the user to make Perfect 1:1 copies with no watermark and no warning screen. You can also make unlimited copies from a copy. AND there is a 30 day money back warranty. Check it out for yourself.
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