Smart hidden functions in Windows 7 – God Mode

God Mode

Most computer-savvy people have probably started to get used to Windows 7 by now. We’re all starting to work out where we can find things in the Start menu, for example, and how to navigate around searches and folders.  We’re getting used to transparency, and some of us might even have come to love it! Quite simply, we’re learning more and more to live with Windows 7 and its functionality.

But there are still a few functions that very few people are aware of, such as how to open “God mode”. This command opens a list of all possible settings in the operating system. This can be a very useful and structured way of finding the functions available in Windows. To open “God Mode”, this is what you do:

Create a new folder by right-clicking on the desktop. Rename the folder by pasting the following text into the name field for the folder. ” GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}“. This creates a new icon called “God Mode” on your desktop. When you click on this icon, this shows all the possible settings for Windows 7.

Preview files in Explorer

If you want to preview a file in Explorer, you can click on the file to select it and then press the keyboard combination Alt+P. This shows a preview next to the file name in Explorer.

Maximise or minimise a window using shortcuts

If you want to quickly maximise an open window in Windows 7 without using your mouse, you can press the keyboard combination Windows key + Arrow up. To minimise the window again, press the Windows key + Arrow down instead. If the window is fully minimised, it will not be maximised again if you press the Windows key + Arrow up, unfortunately.

Navigate between programs in the Taskbar

If you want to navigate easily between open programs in the Taskbar, just press the keyboard combination Windows key + T. This allows you to “tab” through the programs in the Taskbar.

Calibrate text and colour reproduction on screen

The first thing you should do when you get a new computer/monitor is calibrate text and colour reproduction. By doing this, you “tell” Windows what is reproduced clearly and effectively on your screen. Windows 7 includes a calibration program.

To open the program which calibrates text and colour reproduction, click on the Start menu.

Then type “cttune” in the search field.

Click on the program file for ClearType Text Tuner, i.e. “cttune”, to open the program. Then follow the instructions to calibrate your monitor.

Would you like more tips and help with Windows 7?  Take a look at our guides.

If you have any more tips, by all means share them in the comments field below.