Got a file that you’d rather not appear when searching? Things like password dictionaries (hey, I’m a white hat security guy) come up a lot because, well, they’ve got a godzillion words in them.

To disable indexing for a file, just follow these steps:

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When people ask me what I like most about Vista, my immediate answer is searching. Sure, you can get desktop search from Microsoft or Google for Windows XP, but it’s just not the same. In Windows Vista, search is integrated into the Start menu, every Explorer window, and even the Control Panel. I find that I use it constantly now, especially from the Start menu.

Search will index most common file types (based on their file extension), but it might not index all file types that are important to you. For example, it doesn’t index .log files, like those generated by Mirc. It does index .XML log files, like those generated by Windows Live Messenger.

To index .LOG files or any other type of file, follow these steps:

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When I provided these manual instructions for restoring a BKF file, I promised that Microsoft would release a tool to simplify the process. Well, here it is.

Before you install it, you’ll need to turn on or install the Removable Storage Management by following these steps:

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I don’t think rebooting your computer warrants a lot of fanfare. To turn off that startup sound, follow these steps:

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Audophiles, prepare to cringe.

Windows Vista includes Bass Boost which increases the volume of low sounds (you know, like that switch that was on every 80′s walkman and boom box) and Virtual Surround, which varies the timing of the left and right channels to sorta make it sounds like you have more speakers.

To enable Bass Boost and/or Virtual Surround, follow these steps:

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This happens to me all the time–I turn the volume on my computer way up to listen to something. Later, someone instant messages me, and the ringing instant message sound is so loud my neighbors can hear it.

Some apps, like Windows Media Player, include their own volume control–but most don’t. Fortunately, Windows Vista makes up for this shortcoming. To adjust volume for individual applications, follow these steps:

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This clue is courtesy Microsoftie James. To instantly view your sidebar and any gadgets that you’ve pulled off the sidebar, hold down the Windows key and press the Space bar. In other words, +Space. They’ll instantly pop on top of your applications.