Lots of weird problems happen if you’re low on disk space–programs randomly fail, the operating system can seem unreliable, and you might lose work because you can’t save it.

Just like Windows XP, Windows Vista includes the Disk Cleanup Wizard. To use the Disk Cleanup Wizard to free up space, follow these steps:

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If you need to edit your Start menu, just right-click the Start button, and then click Explore (to edit programs for just your user account) or Explore All Users (to edit programs for all user accounts).

The files that make up your Start menu and the groups are stored in a different location than they were in Windows XP. Programs installed for all users are now at:

C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup

Programs installed just for your user account are at:

C:Users<Username>AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms

Programs listed in both locations show up in your Start menu.

Gone. (Well, it’ll still be there if you have an earlier version of Windows installed. If you’re just running Vista, it’s gone.)

Microsoft has replaced the Boot.ini file with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) registry file. It’s no longer a text file, so you can’t edit it directly. Instead, it’s a proprietary format like the registry.

Read this article if you want to change startup settings. If your computer won’t start, don’t sweat it. Follow these steps to run Startup Repair.
For more information, read Chapter 30 (which I wrote!) of the Windows Vista Resource Kit. Also check out the BCD FAQ and read the Boot Configuration Data in Windows Vista Word document.

The BCD registry file controls which operating system installation starts and how long the boot manager waits before starting Windows. Basically, it’s like the Boot.ini file in earlier versions of Windows. If you need to edit it, the easiest way is to use the Startup And Recovery tool from within Vista. Just follow these steps:

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Ever have a friend ask you computer problems? Sometimes, it would just be easier if you could take over their desktop so you could see the problem yourself or even fix it… Like your company’s computer guy would say, “MOVE!”

If you use Windows Live Messenger in Windows Vista, you can offer Remote Assistance to the remote user. With Remote Assistance, you can watch their desktop (if the user allows it), or even control their desktop (again, with their permission).

While instant messaging them, press the Alt key to make the menu bar appear. Then, click the Actions menu, and click Offer remote assistance.

After that, the person you’re helping will be prompted to allow you to view their desktop. Just follow the prompts. Windows Vista Remote Assistance also includes some very cool improvements to help Remote Assistance work through firewalls–namely NAT traversal using Teredo and IPv6. If you’re interested in how it works, check out this video.

Windows XP included several security templates (.inf files that represent a computer’s security configuration), but Windows Vista includes none. Want some? Download and install the Windows Vista Security Guide.

The Windows Vista Security Guide includes several templates:

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Via Lifehacker, here’s a useful Web page providing an introduction to batch files. I’m posting it because I’m constantly amazed at how many very competent Windows users and even administrators don’t know how to use batch files–even though they’re one of the best ways to automate repetitive tasks. For example, I use batch files to update my iPod, process my Web server logs, perform specialized backups, and synchronize files between computers on my network.