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Using Windows 7’s “God Mode”

Jan 27, 2011

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What is God Mode?
Using God Mode

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Activating God Mode

Using God Mode

The God Mode folder is organized into 50 or so major sections, each containing quick links to relevant configuration options (see Figure 2). Double-click any icon or link to open the appropriate control panel or dialog box related to that action.

Table 1 shows what’s available on a typical system:

Figure 2 Browsing the configuration settings in the GodMode folder.

Table 1—God Mode Configuration Settings

Section	Configuration Settings
Action Center	Change Customer Experience Improvement settings Change User Account Control settings Check security status Choose how to check for solutions Choose how to report problems Fix problems with your computer Restore your computer to an earlier time Review your computer’s status and resolve issues View all problem reports View message archive View recent messages about your computer View recommended actions to keep Windows running smoothly View reliability history View solutions to problems View the Microsoft error reporting privacy statement online
Administrative Tools	Create and format hard disk partitions Defragment your hard drive Diagnose your computer’s memory problems How to add new hardware Schedule tasks Set up data sources (ODBC) Set up iSCSI initiator View event logs View local services
AutoPlay	Change default settings for media or devices Play CDs or other media automatically Start or stop using autoplay for all media and devices
Backup and Restore	Back up your computer Restore data, files, or computer from backup
Color Management	Change advanced color management settings for displays
Credential Manager	Manage Windows credentials
Date and Time	Add clocks for different time zones Automatically adjust for daylight saving time Change the time zone Set the time and date
Default Programs	Make a file type always open in a specific program Set your default programs
Desktop Gadgets	Add gadgets to the desktop Add the Clock gadget to the desktop Get more gadgets online Restore desktop gadgets installed with Windows Uninstall a gadget View list of running gadgets
Device Manager	Update device drivers
Devices and Printers	Add a device Add a printer Change default printer Change device installation settings Device Manager Set up USB game controllers View devices and printers View scanners and cameras
Display	Adjust ClearType text Adjust screen resolution Calibrate display color Change display settings Change screen orientation Connect to a projector Connect to an external display How to correct monitor flicker (refresh rate) Make text and other items larger or smaller Set up computer to use multiple monitors View the name of the video card
Ease of Access Center	Accommodate learning abilities Accommodate low vision Change how your keyboard works Change how your mouse works Change the Narrator voice Control the computer without the mouse or keyboard Hear a tone when keys are pressed Hear text read aloud with Narrator Ignore repeated keystrokes using FilterKeys Let Windows suggest Ease of Use settings Magnify portions of the screen using Magnifier Move the pointer with the keypad using MouseKeys Optimize for blindness Optimize visual display Press key combinations one at a time Replace sounds with visual cues Turn High Contrast on or off Turn Magnifier on or off Turn off automatic window arrangement Turn off background images Turn off unnecessary animations Turn on easy access keys Turn On-Screen keyboard on or off Use audio description for video Use screen reader View current accessibility settings
Folder Options	Change search options for files and folders Change the file type associated with a file extension Show hidden files and folders Show or hide file extensions Specify single- or double-click to open
Fonts	Change Font Settings Preview, delete, or show and hide fonts View installed fonts
Getting Started	Find out what’s new in Windows 7 Go online to find out what’s new in Windows 7 Go online to get Windows Live Essentials Transfer files from another computer
HomeGroup	Choose homegroup and sharing options Share printers
Indexing Options	Change how Windows searches
Internet Options	Block or allow pop-ups Block or allow third-party cookies Change how web pages are displayed in tabs Change security settings Change temporary Internet file settings Change the search provider in Internet Explorer Change your homepage Configure proxy server Delete browsing history Delete cookies or temporary files Enable or disable session cookies Manage browser add-ons Tell if an RSS feed is available on a website Turn autocomplete in Internet Explorer on or off
Keyboard	Change cursor blink rate Check keyboard status
Location and Other Sensors	Enable location and other sensors Enter a default location View location activity
Mouse	Change how the mouse pointer looks Change how the mouse pointer looks when it’s moving Change mouse click settings Change mouse wheel settings Change the mouse pointer display or speed Customize the mouse buttons Make it easier to see the mouse pointer
Network and Sharing Center	Add a wireless device to the network Change People Near Me settings Connect to a network Identify and repair network problems Manage advanced sharing settings Manage saved networks Manage wireless networks Media streaming options Set up a connection or network Set up a dial-up connection Set up a virtual private network (VPN) conection Set up an ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network Sign in or out of People Near Me View network computers and devices View network connections View network status and tasks
Notification Area Icons	Customize icons on the taskbar Remove icons from notification area (system tray) on the desktop Show or hide battery icon on the taskbar Show or hide clock icon on the taskbar Show or hide inactive icons on the taskbar Show or hide the notification area on the taskbar Show or hide volume (speaker) icon on the taskbar
Parental Controls	Set up parental controls for any user
Performance Information and Tools	Check the Windows Experience Index Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files Learn how to use your storage device to speed up your computer Use tools to improve performance
Personalization	Change desktop background Change screen saver Change the theme Change window colors and metrics Change window glass colors Enable or disable transparent glass on Windows Get more themes online Lock the computer when I leave it alone for a period of time Personalize your computer Set screen saver password Show or hide common icons on the desktop Turn screen saver on or off
Phone and Modem	Set up dialing rules
Power Options (portable PCs only)	Adjust screen brightness Change battery settings Change what closing the lid does Change what the power buttons do Change when the computer sleeps Choose a power plan Choose when to turn off display Edit power plan Require a password when the computer wakes
Programs and Features	Add or remove programs Change or remove a program How to install a program Run programs made for previous versions of Windows Show which programs are installed on your computer Turn Windows features on or off Uninstall a program View installed updates
Recovery	Restore your computer or reinstall Windows
Region and Language	Change keyboards or other input methods Change location Change the date, time, or number format Change the way currency is displayed Change the way dates and lists are displayed Change the way measurements are displayed Change the way time is displayed
RemoteApp and Desktop Connections	Set up a new connection with RemoteApp and Desktop Connections
Sound	Adjust system volume Change sound card settings Change system sounds Manage audio devices
Speech Recognition	Change text to speech settings Set up a microphone Start speech recognition
Sync Center	Manage offline files Resolve sync conflicts Sync with other computers, mobile devices, or network folders View sync results
System	Activate Windows Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows Allow remote access to your computer Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer Change workgroup name Check processor speed Configure advanced user profile properties Create a restore point Device Manager Edit environment variables for your account Edit the system environment variables How to change the size of virtual memory Rename this computer Restore system files and settings from a restore point See the name of this computer Show how much RAM is one this computer Show which operating system your computer is running Show which workgroup this computer is on View advanced system settings View running processes with Task Manager
Taskbar and Start Menu	Auto-hide the taskbar Customize the Start menu Customize the taskbar Find missing Start menu Group similar windows on the taskbar Lock or unlock the taskbar Organize Start menu Restore Start menu defaults Turn toolbars on the taskbar on or off What happened to the Quick Launch toolbar?
Troubleshooting	Find and fix audio playback problems Find and fix audio recording problems Find and fix networking and connection problems Find and fix printing problems Find and fix problems Find and fix problems with devices Find and fix problems with homegroup Find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects Find and fix problems with Windows Search Perform recommended maintenance tasks automatically Record steps to reproduce a problem Troubleshooting history
User Accounts	Add or remove user accounts Change your account picture Change your Windows passwords Create a password reset disk Create administrator account Create an account Create or remove your account password Link online IDs Make changes to accounts Manage network passwords Turn guest account on or off
Windows Anytime Upgrade	Get more features with a new edition of Windows 7
Windows CardSpace	Manage Information Cards that are used to log on to online services
Windows Defender	Scan for spyware and other potentially unwanted software
Windows Firewall	Allow a program through Windows Firewall Check firewall status
Windows Mobility Center (portable PCs only)	Adjust commonly used mobility settings
Windows Update	Check for updates Turn automatic updating on or off

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