Just like Mac OS X, Windows XP enables you to configure many different aspects of the operating system to suit your preferences. In this section, you'll learn how to perform some basic configuration tasks to tweak Windows on your Mac. If you used versions of Mac OS prior to Mac OS X, you might recall the control panels that you used to configure the operating system. Windows adopted and still uses that model, so if you can remember that far back, working with the Windows Control Panel will come easily. If you've used Mac OS X's System Preferences application, the Windows Control Panel will also seem familiar. To open and configure the Control Panel, do the following:
Figure 2.4. Here is the User Accounts control panel that enables you to configure Windows XP user accounts.In the following sections, you'll learn about some of the more important control panels that you are likely to need to use. These sections don't cover all the Windows control panels, and some control panels are covered in other chapters. (For example, the Internet Properties control panel is covered in Chapter 3, "Networking and Connecting to the Internet Using Windows"). Adding and Removing SoftwareDespite its name, the Add or Remove Programs control panel is typically used more frequently to remove applications installed under Windows than it is to install them. That's because most Windows applications come with an installer application that installs the application for you so that you don't need to use the control panel to do so. However, you should always use this control panel to remove applications from Windows. When most Windows applications are installed, multiple files are installed in various locations and changes to the underlying operating system code are made. Using the remove function of this control panel will give you the best chance for uninstalling an application, removing its associated files, and undoing system changes that were made when the application was installed. When you open the Add or Remove Programs control panel, it will generate a list of all the applications installed under Windows and present them in the Currently Installed Programs section of the panel (see Figure 2.5). Figure 2.5. There aren't too many Windows applications installed on this Mac yet.Along the left side of the panel are buttons that change the mode in which the panel is operating. These are as follows:
To remove an application, select the Change or Remove Programs button in the left side of the Add or Remove Programs window. Then select the application you want to remove. Information about your usage of that application will appear on the right side of the window along with the date on which you installed it. To remove it, click Remove. The appropriate uninstaller will launch and, hopefully, will remove the application and all of its components. As you explore Windows, you'll probably add quite a few applications to it. Remember to periodically visit this control panel and remove any applications that you don't use. It's likely that your Windows disk partition will be relatively small and removing applications you don't use will help you avoid running out of room. Configuring Automatic UpdatesWindows is subject to constant attacks of various kinds. Microsoft regularly releases updates to Windows, most of which are to correct a security problem. Use the Automatic Updates control panel to configure how you want to handle these updates. When you open the Automatic Updates control panel, you'll see the following choices (see Figure 2.7): Figure 2.7. You should use one of the automatic update options to keep your Windows software current.
For any of the automatic options to work, your Windows system must be able to connect to the Internet. I recommend you not set that up until you've configured appropriate protection for it, which is explained in the next chapter. Setting the Windows Date and TimeLike the Mac, Windows has a date and time function that enables you to manually set the date and time or configure Windows to use a network time server. When you open the control panel, you'll see three tabs (see Figure 2.8). Figure 2.8. Use the Date and Time Properties control panel to set your Windows' calendar and clock.
Use the Date & Time tab to manually configure the Windows date and time settings; the controls on this tab are straightforward. Use the Time Zone tab to select your time zone by choosing it on the drop-down list; you can use the check box to turn off Daylight Saving Time if your location doesn't use it. Tip If you switch between the Mac OS and Windows frequently, you'll definitely want to use the time server option. Each time you switch the OS, Windows will lose its time and date setting. If you use the time server option, it should correct its time and date for you automatically each time you move back into Windows. Use the Internet Time tab to configure Windows to use an Internet time server. Check the Automatically Synchronize with an Internet Time Server check box. Then choose a time server on the drop-down list (the time.windows.com server is selected by default and will work for most people). Click the Update Now button to set the current date and time based on the server you selected. Of course, Windows must be able to connect to the Internet for this to work. You can configure this now and after you've connected your Windows system to the Internet, the date and time will be set for you. After you made your changes, click OK to save them and close the control panel. Note Many control panels have Apply and OK buttons. Apply saves any changes you have made and immediately applies them. OK does those things too, but it also closes the control panel. So, click Apply when you want to make changes immediately, but also want to continue working with the control panel. Click OK if you are done working in the panel and are ready to close it. Configuring the Windows DisplayThe Windows Display Properties control panel enables you to configure various display settings, including resolution, desktop picture, and so on (see Figure 2.9). Figure 2.9. The Settings tab of the Display Properties control panel enables you configure the display's resolution.
The Display control panel has the following tabs:
Configuring the Keyboard in WindowsThe Keyboard Properties control panel enables you to set basic properties of the keyboard you are using, such as repeat delay, repeat rate, and the cursor blink rate. Use the respective sliders to configure these properties of the keyboard you are using. Configuring the Mouse/Trackpad in WindowsThe Mouse Properties control panel also has a number of tabs, which are as follows (see Figure 2.10): Figure 2.10. Does configuring a mouse really need to be this complicated?
Note The trackpads on MacBooks and MacBook Pros don't have the "extra" functionality under Windows that they do under Mac OS X. Although you can move the pointer and click the button, you can't do the other functions you might be used to, such as double-clicking the trackpad, scrolling with it, and so on. Configuring Energy SettingsThe Power Options Properties control panel enables you to configure the energy settings for Windows, such as when the display shuts down, when hard disks power down, and when the system goes into standby. However, because these functions are so closely tied to the hardware on which Windows is running, whether or not these functions work depends on the Mac you are using and the version of Boot Camp you are running. To experiment with these settings, open the Power Schemes tab and use the drop-down lists to configure the times at which you want the monitor to turn off, the hard disks to shut down, and the system to go into standby (called sleep on the Mac). Let the system sit idle for the shortest time you configured. If the appropriate action occurs, such as the display shutting down, you can configure the rest of the settings. If it doesn't occur, you'll probably have to manage power manually. Tip You can put a MacBook or MacBook Pro to sleep by closing its lid. When you open the lid and the system wakes up, you'll need to log in to Windows again, but when you do, you'll be back where you left off. Depending on how you are using Windows, such as being connected to network drives, unexpected results can occur when you shut your Mac's lid. It's a good idea to save all your open files before you do so. Configuring Sounds in WindowsThe Sounds and Audio Devices Properties control panel enables you to configure various audio settings (see Figure 2.11). Figure 2.11. The Volume tab of the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties control panel enables you to set the current volume level and to choose a speaker configuration.
The tabs of this control panel are as follows:
Configuring the Taskbar and Start MenuThe Windows taskbar is a very important element of the OS because it provides information to you as well as enabling you to control the system by choosing files or applications to open, managing open applications, and so on. The Start menu is also important because you can use it to quickly navigate to just about anything on the Windows partition of the computer. You can configure various properties of these elements with the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties control panel (see Figure 2.12). Figure 2.12. Use the Taskbar tab of the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties control panel to determine how your Windows taskbar looks and works.
Note The Windows taskbar is similar to Mac OS X's Dock in some ways, such as being able to use it to manage open applications, launch applications and documents quickly, and so on. On the Taskbar tab, you'll find the following options:
Use the Start Menu tab to customize your Start menu. There are two basic options. Click the Start Menu radio button to use the standard XP Start menu. Click the Classic Start Menu radio button to use the Start menu from older versions of Windows. After you've selected a Start menu configuration, use the Customize button to configure it. For example, you can choose specific applications (such as your web browser) and folders to include on the menu. Configuring Windows User AccountsLike Mac OS X, Windows XP supports multiple user accounts. When you installed Windows, you created at least one user account. Access the User Accounts control panel to set up more user accounts and to configure the user accounts that have been created (see Figure 2.13). For example, you can click the Create a New Account link to create new user accounts. Or, you can click the Change an Account link to reconfigure an existing account. Most user account tasks are accomplished by clicking the link for the action you want to complete and then filling in any required information. Figure 2.13. If you'll be sharing Windows on your Mac, you can create multiple user accounts for others to use. |