Change the keyboard layout on the Welcome screen

• On the Welcome screen, click the Keyboard layout button , and then select a keyboard layout.

  Note

  • If you don't see the Keyboard layout button, you might not have more than one input language, or your regional and language settings might not be applied to reserved accounts. For more information about reserved accounts, see Apply regional and language settings to reserved accounts.

change the keyboard layout

1. On the Language bar, click the Input language button, and then select an input language.
   Language bar
2. Click the Keyboard layout button, and then select a keyboard layout.

   Note

   • If you don't see the Language bar, right-click the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click Language bar.

Change your keyboard layout

You can customize your keyboard for a specific language or format by changing the keyboard layout. The layout controls which characters appear on the screen when you press the keys on your keyboard. Some input languages have several keyboard layouts; others have only one. For example, you can change your keyboard layout from the English QWERTY format to the English Dvorak format. After you change the layout, the characters on your screen might not correspond to the characters on your keyboard keys.

Before you can change the keyboard layout, you must add the input language and keyboard layout that you want to Windows. For more information, see Add or change an input language.

 To change the keyboard layout

1. On the Language bar, click the Input language button, and then select an input language.
   Language bar
2. Click the Keyboard layout button, and then select a keyboard layout.

   Note

   • If you don't see the Language bar, right-click the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click Language bar.

 To change the keyboard layout on the Welcome screen

• On the Welcome screen, click the Keyboard layout button , and then select a keyboard layout.

  Note

  • If you don't see the Keyboard layout button, you might not have more than one input language, or your regional and language settings might not be applied to reserved accounts. For more information about reserved accounts, see Apply regional and language settings to reserved accounts.

To change the cursor blink rate

1. Click to open Keyboard Properties.
2. Move the Cursor blink rate slider to the right or left to increase or decrease the cursor blink speed, and then click OK. If you move the slider all the way to the left, the cursor will stop blinking.

To change the speed at which keyboard characters repeat

1. Click to open Keyboard Properties.
2. Under Character repeat, move the Repeat rate slider to the left to make keyboard characters repeat more slowly, or move it to the right to make them repeat more quickly, and then click OK.

To change the delay before keyboard characters repeat

1. Click to open Keyboard Properties.
2. Under Character repeat, move the Repeat delay slider to the left or right to increase or decrease how long you must hold down a key before the keyboard character repeats, and then click OK.

Change keyboard settings

Customizing your keyboard settings helps you work better and more efficiently. By customizing the settings, you can determine how long you must press a key before the keyboard character starts repeating, the speed at which keyboard characters repeat, and the rate at which the cursor blinks.

 To change the delay before keyboard characters repeat

1. Click to open Keyboard Properties.
2. Under Character repeat, move the Repeat delay slider to the left or right to increase or decrease how long you must hold down a key before the keyboard character repeats, and then click OK.

 To change the speed at which keyboard characters repeat

1. Click to open Keyboard Properties.
2. Under Character repeat, move the Repeat rate slider to the left to make keyboard characters repeat more slowly, or move it to the right to make them repeat more quickly, and then click OK.

 To change the cursor blink rate

1. Click to open Keyboard Properties.
2. Move the Cursor blink rate slider to the right or left to increase or decrease the cursor blink speed, and then click OK. If you move the slider all the way to the left, the cursor will stop blinking.

Enable text prediction in On-Screen Keyboard

When text prediction is enabled, as you type, On-Screen Keyboard displays a list of words that you might be typing.
1. Click to open On-Screen Keyboard.
2. Click Options, select the Use Text Prediction check box, and then click OK.
   If you don't want to automatically add a space after you insert a word using text prediction, clear the Insert space after predicted words check box, and then click OK.

   Notes

   • Text prediction is only available in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. To enable text prediction in a specific language, you must first install additional language files for that language. For more information, see Install or change a display language.

   • Text prediction isn't included in Windows 7 Home Basic.

use a numeric key pad in On-Screen Keyboard

You can use a numeric key pad to enter numbers with On-Screen Keyboard.
1. Click to open On-Screen Keyboard.
2. Click Options, select the Turn on numeric key pad check box, and then click OK.

Set On-Screen Keyboard to use audible clicks

You can have On-Screen Keyboard make an audible click when a key is pressed.
1. Click to open On-Screen Keyboard.
2. Click Options, select the Use click sound check box, and then click OK.

Type without using the keyboard (On-Screen Keyboard)

Instead of relying on the physical keyboard to type and enter data, you can use On-Screen Keyboard. On-Screen Keyboard displays a visual keyboard with all the standard keys. You can select keys using the mouse or another pointing device, or you can use a single key or group of keys to cycle through the keys on the screen.

• Click to open On-Screen Keyboard.

 To change how information is entered into On-Screen Keyboard

1. Click to open On-Screen Keyboard.
2. Click Options, and then, under To use the On-Screen Keyboard, select the mode you want:

   Typing mode	Description
   Click on keys	In clicking mode, you click the on-screen keys to type text.
   Hover over keys	In hovering mode, you use a mouse or joystick to point to a key for a predefined period of time, and the selected character is typed automatically.
   Scan through keys	In scanning mode, On-Screen Keyboard continually scans the keyboard and highlights areas where you can type keyboard characters by pressing a keyboard shortcut, using a switch input device, or using a device that simulates a mouse click.

   Notes

   • If you're using either hovering mode or scanning mode and accidently minimize On-Screen Keyboard, you can restore it by pointing to it in the taskbar (for hovering mode) or by pressing the scan key (for scanning mode).

   • If you're using a mouse click to select a key in the Scan through keys mode, the mouse pointer must be located over On-Screen Keyboard.

   • The keyboard layout changes in On-Screen Keyboard depending on the language displayed in the active program.

Using your mouse

Just as you would use your hands to interact with objects in the physical world, you can use your mouse to interact with items on your computer screen. You can move objects, open them, change them, throw them away, and perform other actions, all by pointing and clicking with your mouse.

Basic parts

A mouse typically has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and a secondary button (usually the right button). You will use the primary button most often. Most mice also include a scroll wheel between the buttons to help you scroll through documents and webpages more easily. On some mice, the scroll wheel can be pressed to act as a third button. Advanced mice might have additional buttons that can perform other functions.

Parts of a mouse

Holding and moving the mouse

Mouse pointers

Place your mouse beside your keyboard on a clean, smooth surface, such as a mouse pad. Hold the mouse gently, with your index finger resting on the primary button and your thumb resting on the side. To move the mouse, slide it slowly in any direction. Don't twist it—keep the front of the mouse aimed away from you. As you move the mouse, a pointer (see picture) on your screen moves in the same direction. If you run out of room to move your mouse on your desk or mouse pad, just pick up the mouse and bring it back closer to you.

Hold the mouse lightly, keeping your wrist straight

Pointing, clicking, and dragging

Pointing to an item on the screen means moving your mouse so the pointer appears to be touching the item. When you point to something, a small box often appears that describes the item. For example, when you point to the Recycle Bin on the desktop, a box appears with this information: "Contains the files and folders that you have deleted."

Pointing to an object often reveals a descriptive message about it

The pointer can change depending on what you're pointing to. For example, when you point to a link in your web browser, the pointer changes from an arrow  to a hand with a pointing finger  .

Most mouse actions combine pointing with pressing one of the mouse buttons. There are four basic ways to use your mouse buttons: clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking, and dragging.

Clicking (single-clicking)

To click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the primary button (usually the left button).

Clicking is most often used to select (mark) an item or open a menu. This is sometimes called single-clicking or left-clicking.

Double-clicking

To double-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then click twice quickly. If the two clicks are spaced too far apart, they might be interpreted as two individual clicks rather than as one double-click.

Double-clicking is most often used to open items on your desktop. For example, you can start a program or open a folder by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.

Tip

• If you have trouble double-clicking, you can adjust the double-click speed (the amount of time acceptable between clicks). Follow these steps:
  1. Click to open Mouse Properties.
  2. Click the Buttons tab, and then, under Double-click speed, move the slider to increase or decrease the speed.

Right-clicking

To right-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the secondary button (usually the right button).

Right-clicking an item usually displays a list of things you can do with the item. For example, when you right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop, Windows displays a menu allowing you to open it, empty it, delete it, or see its properties. If you're ever unsure of what to do with something, right-click it.

Right-clicking the Recycle Bin opens a menu of related commands

Dragging

You can move items around your screen by dragging them. To drag an object, point to the object on the screen, press and hold the primary button, move the object to a new location, and then release the primary button.

Dragging (sometimes called dragging and dropping) is most often used to move files and folders to a different location and to move windows and icons around on your screen.

Using the scroll wheel

If your mouse has a scroll wheel, you can use it to scroll through documents and webpages. To scroll down, roll the wheel backward (toward you). To scroll up, roll the wheel forward (away from you).

Customizing your mouse

You can change your mouse settings to suit your personal preferences. For example, you can change how fast your mouse pointer moves around the screen, or change the pointer's appearance. If you're left-handed, you can switch the primary button to be the right button. For more information, see Change mouse settings.

Tips for using your mouse safely

Holding and moving your mouse properly can help you avoid soreness or injury to your wrists, hands, and arms, particularly if you use your computer for long periods of time. Here are some tips to help you avoid problems:

• Place your mouse at elbow level. Your upper arms should fall relaxed at your sides.
• Don't squeeze or grip your mouse tightly. Hold it lightly.
• Move the mouse by pivoting your arm at your elbow. Avoid bending your wrist up, down, or to the sides.
• Use a light touch when clicking a mouse button.
• Keep your fingers relaxed. Don't allow them to hover above the buttons.
• When you don't need to use the mouse, don't hold it.
• Take short breaks from computer use every 15 to 20 minutes.

Change mouse settings

You can customize your mouse in a variety of ways. For instance, you can swap the functions of your mouse buttons, make the mouse pointer more visible, and alter the scroll speed of the mouse wheel.

 To change how the mouse buttons work

1. Click to open Mouse Properties.
2. Click the Buttons tab, and then do any of the following:
   • To swap the functions of the right and left mouse buttons, under Button configuration, select the Switch primary and secondary buttons check box.
   • To change how quickly you must click the buttons to perform a double-click, under Double-click speed, move the Speed slider toward Slow or Fast.
   • To turn on ClickLock, which enables you to highlight or drag items without holding down the mouse button, under ClickLock, select the Turn on ClickLock check box.
3. Click OK.

 To change how the mouse pointer looks

1. Click to open Mouse Properties.
2. Click the Pointers tab, and then do one of the following:
   • To give all of your pointers a new look, click the Scheme drop-down list, and then click a new mouse pointer scheme.
   • To change an individual pointer, under Customize, click the pointer you want to change in the list, click Browse, click the pointer you want to use, and then click Open.
3. Click OK.

 To change how the mouse pointer works

1. Click to open Mouse Properties.
2. Click the Pointer Options tab, and then do any of the following:
   • To change the speed at which the mouse pointer moves, under Motion, move the Select a pointer speed slider toward Slow or Fast.
   • To make the pointer work more accurately when you're moving the mouse slowly, under Motion, select the Enhance pointer precision check box.
   • To speed up the process of selecting a choice when a dialog box appears, under Snap To, select the Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box check box.
   • To make the pointer easier to find when you move it, under Visibility, select the Display pointer trails check box, and then move the slider toward Short or Long to decrease or increase the length of the pointer trail.
   • To ensure that the pointer doesn't block your view of the text you're typing, under Visibility, select the Hide pointer while typing check box.
   • To find a misplaced pointer by pressing the Ctrl key, under Visibility, select the Show location of pointer when I press the Ctrl key check box.
3. Click OK.

 To change how the mouse wheel works

1. Click to open Mouse Properties.
2. Click the Wheel tab, and then do one of the following:
   • To set the number of lines the screen will scroll for each notch of mouse wheel movement, under Vertical Scrolling, select The following number of lines at a time, and then enter the number of lines you want to scroll in the box.
   • To scroll an entire screen of text for each notch of the mouse wheel, under Vertical Scrolling, select One screen at a time.
   • If your mouse has a wheel that supports horizontal scrolling, under Horizontal Scrolling, in the Tilt the wheel to scroll the following number of characters at a time box, enter the number of characters you want to scroll horizontally when you tilt the wheel to the left or right.
3. Click OK.

Make the mouse easier to use

You can change how the mouse pointer looks, and turn on other features that can help make it easier to use your mouse.

You can adjust these settings on the Make the mouse easier to use page in the Ease of Access Center.

1. Click to open Ease of Access Center.
2. Select the options that you want to use:
   • Change the color and size of mouse pointers. You can use these options to make the mouse pointer larger, or change the color to make it easier to see.
   • Turn on Mouse Keys. You can use this option to control the movement of the mouse pointer by using the numeric keypad.
   • Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse. This option makes it easier to select and activate a window by pointing at it with the mouse rather than by clicking it.
   • Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen. This option prevents windows from automatically resizing and docking along the sides of your screen when you move them there.

Which modem should I use to connect to the Internet?

You should always use your fastest modem to connect to the Internet. For example, if you have a broadband modem (Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or cable) and a dial-up modem, use the broadband modem because it's much faster.

What is Modem on Hold (MOH) and how do I determine if my modem has it?

Modem on Hold is a feature that allows your dial-up modem to work with call waiting. If you have Modem On Hold running and receive a call on the line that the modem is using, the modem can go into a hold state and pick up where you left off after you complete the call.

What is TAPI?

The Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) is a standard protocol in Windows that allows your computer to use telephone lines for communication services.

How do I install a modem?

Most broadband modems are external devices. You install one by plugging it into a network port on your computer.

Many dial-up modems are internal and come pre-installed on computers. If you are installing an internal dial-up modem on a desktop computer, you'll need to open your computer case and plug the card into an empty slot. To install an external dial-up modem, plug it into a modem port on your computer. All dial-up modems plug into a telephone line.

Windows will find and automatically install the necessary drivers when it detects that you're installing a new modem. If Windows can't find or install the right driver for your modem, you might need to install the modem manually. For more information, see Install or remove a modem.

How do I change the modem settings?

1. Click to open Phone and Modem.

   Note

   • You might need to provide information, such as your country or region, and any special phone dialing rules in the Location Information dialog box before you can access the Phone and Modem dialog box.
2. Click the Modems tab.
3. Select the modem you want to change settings for, and then click Properties.
4. Change the settings you want, and then click OK.

How do I tell what kind of modem my computer uses?

If you have broadband Internet access through an Internet service provider (ISP), you most likely have a broadband modem. The modem is usually connected to a cable or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and is then connected to your computer through an Ethernet cable and network adapter.

Most newer computers no longer come with a dial-up modem. Many older computers have dial-up modems, which connect to the Internet by dialing a telephone number over a telephone line.

What are the different kinds of modems?

There are two common kinds of modems:

• Broadband modems. Broadband modems connect to either a cable or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and they provide high-speed Internet access.
• Dial-up modems. Dial-up modems connect to the Internet by dialing a telephone number over a telephone line. Dial-up modems usually provide Internet access at a much slower speed than broadband modems.

Modems: frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some common questions about modems.

 What are the different kinds of modems?

There are two common kinds of modems:

• Broadband modems. Broadband modems connect to either a cable or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and they provide high-speed Internet access.
• Dial-up modems. Dial-up modems connect to the Internet by dialing a telephone number over a telephone line. Dial-up modems usually provide Internet access at a much slower speed than broadband modems.

 How do I tell what kind of modem my computer uses?

If you have broadband Internet access through an Internet service provider (ISP), you most likely have a broadband modem. The modem is usually connected to a cable or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and is then connected to your computer through an Ethernet cable and network adapter.

Most newer computers no longer come with a dial-up modem. Many older computers have dial-up modems, which connect to the Internet by dialing a telephone number over a telephone line.

 How do I change the modem settings?

1. Click to open Phone and Modem.

   Note

   • You might need to provide information, such as your country or region, and any special phone dialing rules in the Location Information dialog box before you can access the Phone and Modem dialog box.
2. Click the Modems tab.
3. Select the modem you want to change settings for, and then click Properties.
4. Change the settings you want, and then click OK.

 How do I install a modem?

Most broadband modems are external devices. You install one by plugging it into a network port on your computer.

Many dial-up modems are internal and come pre-installed on computers. If you are installing an internal dial-up modem on a desktop computer, you'll need to open your computer case and plug the card into an empty slot. To install an external dial-up modem, plug it into a modem port on your computer. All dial-up modems plug into a telephone line.

Windows will find and automatically install the necessary drivers when it detects that you're installing a new modem. If Windows can't find or install the right driver for your modem, you might need to install the modem manually. For more information, see Install or remove a modem.

 What is TAPI?

The Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) is a standard protocol in Windows that allows your computer to use telephone lines for communication services.

 What is Modem on Hold (MOH) and how do I determine if my modem has it?

Modem on Hold is a feature that allows your dial-up modem to work with call waiting. If you have Modem On Hold running and receive a call on the line that the modem is using, the modem can go into a hold state and pick up where you left off after you complete the call.

Modem on Hold requires that your modem supports it (as well as your Internet service provider (ISP)). Contact your ISP and check your modem settings to determine if you can use Modem on Hold. For more information, see Change modem settings.

manually install a modem

1. Click to open Phone and Modem.

   Note

   • You might need to provide information, such as your country or region and any special phone dialing rules, in the Location Information dialog box before you can access the Phone and Modem dialog box.
2. Click the Modems tab.
3. Click Add, and then follow the instructions in the Add Hardware Wizard.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Install or remove a modem

Usually, Windows will find, and then automatically install, the necessary drivers when you install a modem. However, if Windows can't find or install the correct driver, you might need to install the modem manually.

To manually install a modem

1. Click to open Phone and Modem.

   Note

   • You might need to provide information, such as your country or region and any special phone dialing rules, in the Location Information dialog box before you can access the Phone and Modem dialog box.
2. Click the Modems tab.
3. Click Add, and then follow the instructions in the Add Hardware Wizard.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

To remove a modem

If Windows automatically installs the wrong driver, or if you have problems with your modem, you can remove it.
1. Click to open Phone and Modem.

   Note

   • You might need to provide information, such as your country or region and any special phone dialing rules, in the Location Information dialog box before you can access the Phone and Modem dialog box.
2. Click the Modems tab.
3. Select the modem you want to remove, and then click Remove.

Change modem settings

You can change modem settings, such as the speaker volume.

1. Click to open Phone and Modem.

   Note

   • You might need to provide information, such as your country or region and any special phone dialing rules, in the Location Information dialog box before you can access the Phone and Modem dialog box.
2. Click the Modems tab.
3. Select the modem you want to change the settings for, and then click Properties.
4. Change the settings you want, and then click OK.

For more information, see Modems: frequently asked questions.

Phone and Modem: using the Dialing Rules, Modems, and Advanced settings

The following are descriptions of the settings on the Dialing Rules, Modems, and Advanced tabs in Phone and Modem.

1. Click to open Phone and Modem.
   If you haven't opened Phone and Modem before, a dialog box will be displayed, prompting you to type your area code and access codes.
2. Click New, click the Calling Card tab, and then click New.

 Dialing Rules tab

The Dialing Rules tab lists all currently defined dialing locations (sets of rules applied to outgoing phone calls from your computer's modem). Use this tab to add, delete, or configure dialing locations. When you specify the destination phone number, the rules associated with the dialing location determine whether the area code must be included, such as whether a calling card should be used.

The Dialing Rules tab in the Phone and Modem dialog box

The following table describes the options on the Dialing Rules tab.

Control	Description
Locations	Lists all of the currently defined locations on your computer. The currently selected location appears in bold text, and its rules apply to any phone calls made from your computer. Double-clicking a location opens the Edit dialog box, where you can make changes to the rules associated with that location.
New	Allows you to create a new location and specify the rules associated with that location.
Edit	Allows you to edit the rules for the currently selected location.
Delete	Removes the currently selected location and all rules associated with it. It does not remove any existing calling card definitions.

 Modems tab

The Modems tab lists all modems currently installed on your computer. Use this tab to add, remove, and configure modems.

The Modems tab in the Phone and Modem dialog box

The following table describes the options on the Modems tab.

Control	Description
The following modems are installed	Lists the modems currently installed on your computer, and the communications port your computer uses to communicate with each modem.
Add	Allows you to install a new modem on your computer. If the drivers for your new modem are not already installed on your computer, you will be asked to install the drivers provided by the modem manufacturer.
Remove	Uninstalls the currently selected modem from your computer. You should unplug or remove the modem from your computer after uninstalling it, or it could be detected and reinstalled the next time you start your computer.
Properties	Allows you to view or change the configuration of the currently selected modem. The options available depend on the make and model of the modem.

 Advanced tab

The Advanced tab lists the telephony providers (software used to communicate with telephony hardware, such as modems) currently installed on your computer. Use this tab to add, remove, and configure providers.

The Advanced tab in the Phone and Modem dialog box

The following table describes the options on the Advanced tab.

Control	Description
Providers	Lists the telephony providers currently installed on your computer.
Add	Allows you to add a Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) service provider to the list and make it available to telephony programs. To do this, you must have the drivers for the TAPI-supported telephony hardware already installed on your computer.
Remove	Removes the selected TAPI service provider from the list. Removing a TAPI service provider makes it unavailable to telephony programs. It does not delete any files from your computer.
Configure	Allows you to view or change the properties of the selected TAPI service provider. If this is unavailable, there are no configurable properties for the service provider.

Calling Card tab

The Calling Card tab lists different calling-card dialing rules. When you use a calling card, you usually have to dial an access number, your account number, a PIN, and the phone number that you want to dial. Every card could require different combinations of these elements, and could require them in a different order than cards from other providers. Use this tab to specify which calling card to use for each type of call. If a specific card is not in the list, you can create a new definition and specify its rules.

The Calling Card tab in the New Location dialog box

The following table describes the options on the Calling Card tab in the New Location dialog box.

Control	Description
Card types	Lists the calling cards currently defined on your computer. Select the one you want to use from the list.
New	Allows you to create a new calling card definition. For more information, see Phone and Modem: setting up calling card information.
Edit	Allows you to edit the currently selected calling card definition. For more information, see Phone and Modem: setting up calling card information.
Delete	Removes the selected calling card definition from the list.
Account number	Requires you to enter the account number from your calling card provider.
Personal ID number (PIN)	Requires you to enter the PIN number from your calling card provider.
Access phone numbers for	Displays the access numbers to be used for each type of call made with this card. To change the access numbers, click the calling card definition, and then click Edit.

define an area code rule

In the New Area Code Rule dialog box, specify how certain phone numbers in the same or other area codes need to be dialed.

The New Area Code Rule dialog box

The following table describes the options in the New Area Code Rule dialog box (or the Edit Area Code Rule dialog box).

Control	Description
Area code	Enter the area code that requires special dialing. It can be the same area code that you are dialing from.
Prefixes	If all of the prefixes in an area code are dialed the same way from your location, select the first option. If certain prefixes in the destination area code need to be dialed differently from the others, select the second option, and then click Add to specify each prefix.
Rules	If you need to dial numbers to access phone numbers in the defined area code and prefixes, select the Dial check box, and then type the numbers in the box provided. If the area code is required to dial numbers in the specified prefixes, select the Include the area code check box.

Phone and Modem: setting up dialing locations

The following sections provide descriptions of the New Location and Edit Location settings in Phone and Modem.

1. Click to open Phone and Modem.
   If you haven't opened Phone and Modem before, a dialog box will be displayed, prompting you to type your area code and access codes.
2. Click New.

 General tab

Use the General tab in the New Location dialog box to set up the basic properties of your dialing location, such as the name and the area code associated with this location. This information will be displayed in the list on the General tab.

The General tab in the New Location dialog box

The following table describes the options on the General tab in the New Location dialog box.

Control	Description
Location name	Type a name for a new location (or change the name of an existing location).
Country/region	Select the country or region in which this location exists.
Area code	Identify the area code for the phone line that calls from this location will be made from.
Dialing rules	If you need to type certain numbers to access an outside line, enter the numbers here. If you need to have a carrier code for long-distance or international calls, enter those numbers also.
Call waiting	If you have call waiting and want to disable it when the modem dials, select the To disable call waiting, dial: check box, and then enter the code your phone provider requires to disable call waiting. Commonly used codes are listed, but you can also type your own. If your phone provider supports disabling call waiting, it's a good idea to do this because call waiting can disconnect a call.
Dial using	If you have only pulse-style dialing, select Pulse. Otherwise, select Tone.

 Area Code Rules tab

In some places, some prefixes within an area code are considered local calls, and other prefixes within the same area code are considered long distance. Use this tab to specify those relationships and the rules for dialing those numbers.

The Area Code Rules tab in the New Location dialog box

The following table describes the options on the Area Code Rules tab in the New Location dialog box.

Control	Description
Area code rules	Lists the area code rules that you've already created, showing the area code, prefixes, and how numbers matching each rule are dialed.
New	Allows you to create a new area code rule. (See "To define an area code rule" later in this topic.)
Edit	Allows you to edit an existing area code rule. (See "To define an area code rule" later in this topic.)
Delete	Deletes the currently selected area code rule.

 To define an area code rule

In the New Area Code Rule dialog box, specify how certain phone numbers in the same or other area codes need to be dialed.

The New Area Code Rule dialog box

The following table describes the options in the New Area Code Rule dialog box (or the Edit Area Code Rule dialog box).

Control	Description
Area code	Enter the area code that requires special dialing. It can be the same area code that you are dialing from.
Prefixes	If all of the prefixes in an area code are dialed the same way from your location, select the first option. If certain prefixes in the destination area code need to be dialed differently from the others, select the second option, and then click Add to specify each prefix.
Rules	If you need to dial numbers to access phone numbers in the defined area code and prefixes, select the Dial check box, and then type the numbers in the box provided. If the area code is required to dial numbers in the specified prefixes, select the Include the area code check box.

 Calling Card tab

The Calling Card tab lists different calling-card dialing rules. When you use a calling card, you usually have to dial an access number, your account number, a PIN, and the phone number that you want to dial. Every card could require different combinations of these elements, and could require them in a different order than cards from other providers. Use this tab to specify which calling card to use for each type of call. If a specific card is not in the list, you can create a new definition and specify its rules.

The Calling Card tab in the New Location dialog box

The following table describes the options on the Calling Card tab in the New Location dialog box.

Control	Description
Card types	Lists the calling cards currently defined on your computer. Select the one you want to use from the list.
New	Allows you to create a new calling card definition. For more information, see Phone and Modem: setting up calling card information.
Edit	Allows you to edit the currently selected calling card definition. For more information, see Phone and Modem: setting up calling card information.
Delete	Removes the selected calling card definition from the list.
Account number	Requires you to enter the account number from your calling card provider.
Personal ID number (PIN)	Requires you to enter the PIN number from your calling card provider.
Access phone numbers for	Displays the access numbers to be used for each type of call made with this card. To change the access numbers, click the calling card definition, and then click Edit.

Phone and Modem: setting up calling card information

The following are descriptions of the New Calling Card and Edit Calling Card settings in Phone and Modem.

Click to open Phone and Modem.

Note

• If you haven't opened Phone and Modem before, a dialog box will be displayed, prompting you to type your area code and access codes.

To choose calling card settings, click the Calling Card tab. Select a common, predefined calling card from the Card Types list, or create a custom calling card by clicking New. If you click New, you will see the additional tabs described below.

 General tab

Use this tab to specify the basic properties of your calling card.

The General tab in the New Calling Card dialog box

The following table describes the options on the General tab in the New Calling Card dialog box.

Control	Description
Calling card name	Provides space to type a unique name that you will recognize in the calling card list. The name can be as descriptive as you like, up to 127 characters. (This name will appear in the list on the Calling Card tab of the New or Edit Location page.)
Account number	Provides space to type the account number you got from your calling card provider.
Personal Identification Number (PIN)	Provides space to type the PIN you got from your calling card provider.
Calling card details	Lists the types of calls supported by this calling card. You can change them by providing information on the Long Distance, International, or Local Calls tabs. Until you provide the information for a certain call type, that call type will not appear in this list.

 Long Distance, International, and Local Calls tabs

These tabs allow you to specify the way each type of call is dialed.

The Long Distance tab in the New Calling Card dialog box

The following table describes the options on the Long Distance, International, and Local Calls tabs in the New Calling Card dialog box.

Control	Description
Access number for long distance, international, or local) calls	Provides space to enter the access number (the phone number you must dial to access the calling card provider’s network). In some cases, it's a short sequence of numbers; in other cases, it's a full phone number.
Calling card dialing steps	Displays the steps to take when someone makes a call using this calling card. To provide the information, select each step of the call from the buttons below the list. To reorder the list, select a step in the list, and then click the Move Up or Move Down button. To remove a step, select it, and then click Delete.
Move Up	Moves the selected step up one position toward the top of the list.
Move Down	Moves the selected step down one position toward the bottom of the list.
Delete	Removes the selected step from the list.
Access Number	Inserts the access number into the dialing steps list. The access number is displayed in the text box at the top of the screen.
Account Number	Inserts the account number into the dialing steps list. The account number is displayed on the General tab.
PIN	Inserts the PIN into the dialing steps list. The PIN is displayed on the General tab.
Destination Number	Inserts the number you are dialing into the dialing steps list. This number is supplied by the program you use to dial the modem. For example, you can use Network and Sharing Center to create remote network connections using a dial-up modem. The phone number of the remote network is supplied as part of the definition of that network connection. This button tells the dialing process where that number should be used.
Wait for Prompt	You can choose one of the following options: Wait for a dial tone. The modem continues dialing as soon as it detects the tone on the phone line. Wait for a voice message to complete. The modem continues dialing after the phone line goes quiet for a short period. Wait for a specific length of time. Specifies the number of seconds that dialing must pause.
Specify Digits	If your calling card provider requires you to enter any other digits (including the * and # keys) during the dialing process, you can create a step and specify those digits.

Adjusting brightness automatically using adaptive brightness

Adaptive brightness is a feature in Windows that uses a light sensor to automatically adjust the display brightness to match the lighting conditions in your computer's surroundings. To use adaptive brightness, you must have light sensors installed and enabled on your computer.

To determine if your laptop or computer monitor supports adaptive brightness, look for the Enable adaptive brightness setting in Power Options (mentioned in the following procedure) or check the information that came with your computer.

To turn adaptive brightness on or off

1. Click to open Power Options.
2. Under any plan, click Change plan settings.
3. Click Change advanced power settings.
4. In the list, expand Display, and then expand Enable adaptive brightness.
5. To turn adaptive brightness on or off when your computer is running on battery power, click On battery, and then, in the list, click On or Off.
6. To turn adaptive brightness on or off when your computer is plugged into an outlet, click Plugged in, and then, in the list, click On or Off.
7. Click Apply. Click OK.

Note

• Adaptive brightness is not available in all editions of Windows 7.

Adjust your monitor's brightness and contrast

You can adjust the brightness and contrast of your monitor to improve the readability of text and to make digital pictures appear more like they'll look when printed.

To improve the results when adjusting the brightness and contrast settings for your display, use Display Color Calibration. (Display Color Calibration helps you adjust these color settings and others.) For more information about calibrating your display color in Windows, see Calibrate your display.

The way you adjust brightness and contrast varies and depends on your specific display.

• Brightness and contrast buttons on the front of the monitor. Some monitors have brightness and contrast controls on the front and use the standard symbols shown in the following image.
  Brightness and contrast symbols
• On-screen menu. You can change the brightness and contrast settings for some displays by using an on-screen menu, and then setting the brightness and contrast in the resulting menu. Many times, you can view the on-screen menu by pressing a button—possibly labeled Menu—on the front of the monitor.
• Laptop display. Laptop displays don't have brightness or contrast buttons on the front. For a majority of laptops, there isn't a control for setting the contrast. However, you can set the brightness of many laptops by pressing and holding the Fn key, and then pressing a function key to decrease brightness () or increase brightness When using Display Color Calibration on a laptop, set the display to the maximum brightness setting.

For more information about setting the brightness and contrast for your display, check the information that came with it or go to the manufacturer's website.

 Adjusting brightness automatically using adaptive brightness

Adaptive brightness is a feature in Windows that uses a light sensor to automatically adjust the display brightness to match the lighting conditions in your computer's surroundings. To use adaptive brightness, you must have light sensors installed and enabled on your computer.

To determine if your laptop or computer monitor supports adaptive brightness, look for the Enable adaptive brightness setting in Power Options (mentioned in the following procedure) or check the information that came with your computer.

To turn adaptive brightness on or off

1. Click to open Power Options.
2. Under any plan, click Change plan settings.
3. Click Change advanced power settings.
4. In the list, expand Display, and then expand Enable adaptive brightness.
5. To turn adaptive brightness on or off when your computer is running on battery power, click On battery, and then, in the list, click On or Off.
6. To turn adaptive brightness on or off when your computer is plugged into an outlet, click Plugged in, and then, in the list, click On or Off.
7. Click Apply. Click OK.

Note

• Adaptive brightness is not available in all editions of Windows 7.

Correct monitor flicker (refresh rate)

Flicker can be a problem on CRT monitors. LCD monitors (also called flat-panel displays) don't create flicker.

A flickering CRT monitor can contribute to eyestrain and headaches. You can reduce or eliminate flicker by increasing the screen refresh rate. A refresh rate of at least 75 hertz generally produces less flicker. (Because LCD monitors don't create flicker, they don't need to be set at high refresh rates.) For more information about choosing the best refresh rate for your monitor, see Getting the best display on your monitor.

To correct flicker:
1. Click to open Screen Resolution.
2. Click Advanced settings.
3. Click the Monitor tab, and then, under Screen refresh rate, click the screen refresh rate you want. The monitor will take a moment to adjust. If you want to keep the changes, click Apply. If you don't apply the changes within 15 seconds, the refresh rate will revert back to your original setting.

   Notes

   • If you notice flicker on a CRT monitor, you might need to change your screen resolution before changing the refresh rate. The higher the resolution, the higher your refresh rate should be—but not every screen resolution is compatible with every refresh rate. For more information, see Change screen resolution.

   • Changes to the refresh rate affect all users who log on to the computer.

Reduce the number of open programs or windows

The more programs you have open, the more system resources Windows needs. Try closing programs that you're not currently using, or reducing the window size.

Avoid running too many graphics-intensive programs at the same time

Even if you have only a few programs running, some programs (such as video-editing programs) and features (such as high-definition television) use a lot of system resources. Running too many of these programs at the same time puts a strain on system resources and might degrade display quality or make video appear jittery or disconnected.

Reduce your monitor's resolution

On some computers, very high resolutions require a lot of system resources to display properly. If you notice problems at high resolutions, try lowering the resolution until the problems disappear.

1. Click to open Display.
2. In the left pane, click Adjust resolution.
3. In the Resolution list, click the resolution you want, and then click Apply.

Turn off automatic resizing in programs that aren't designed for high–DPI display

If you set the dots per inch (DPI) higher than 96, and you're running the Aero desktop experience, the text and other items on the screen might appear blurry in some programs that aren't designed for high–DPI display. To avoid this problem, follow these steps:

To make text and on-screen items clearer in programs that aren't designed for high DPI

1. Click to open Display.
2. In the left pane, click Set custom text size (DPI).  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. In the Custom DPI Setting dialog box, select the Use Windows XP style DPI scaling check box, and then click OK.

Upgrade to a more powerful video card

A computer's video card contains dedicated memory that it uses to display graphics. The more memory the card has, the better the quality. If your computer's display isn't as good as you want it to be, consider upgrading to a faster video card.

Ways to improve display quality

The appearance of your computer's display can be influenced by several factors. The monitor you use and its settings, how Windows is configured, and how you use your computer can all have an effect on display quality.

To ensure that your monitor is calibrated correctly, check the instructions that came with your monitor. To learn how to configure Windows display settings, see Getting the best display on your monitor.

Trying to run too many programs at the same time can cause display problems such as jittery or choppy video. If you notice erratic or reduced visual performance on your computer, try one or more of the actions described below.

 Reduce the number of open programs or windows

The more programs you have open, the more system resources Windows needs. Try closing programs that you're not currently using, or reducing the window size.

 Avoid running too many graphics-intensive programs at the same time

Even if you have only a few programs running, some programs (such as video-editing programs) and features (such as high-definition television) use a lot of system resources. Running too many of these programs at the same time puts a strain on system resources and might degrade display quality or make video appear jittery or disconnected.

 Reduce your monitor's resolution

On some computers, very high resolutions require a lot of system resources to display properly. If you notice problems at high resolutions, try lowering the resolution until the problems disappear.

1. Click to open Display.
2. In the left pane, click Adjust resolution.
3. In the Resolution list, click the resolution you want, and then click Apply.

For more information, see Change screen resolution.

 Turn off automatic resizing in programs that aren't designed for high–DPI display

If you set the dots per inch (DPI) higher than 96, and you're running the Aero desktop experience, the text and other items on the screen might appear blurry in some programs that aren't designed for high–DPI display. To avoid this problem, follow these steps:

To make text and on-screen items clearer in programs that aren't designed for high DPI

1. Click to open Display.
2. In the left pane, click Set custom text size (DPI).  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. In the Custom DPI Setting dialog box, select the Use Windows XP style DPI scaling check box, and then click OK.

For more information, see Make the text on your screen larger or smaller.

 Upgrade to a more powerful video card

A computer's video card contains dedicated memory that it uses to display graphics. The more memory the card has, the better the quality. If your computer's display isn't as good as you want it to be, consider upgrading to a faster video card.

Getting the best display on your monitor

Windows chooses the best display settings, including screen resolution, refresh rate, and color, based on your monitor. These settings differ depending on whether you have an LCD or a CRT monitor. If you want to adjust your display settings, or if these settings were changed and you want to restore default settings, use the following recommendations.

LCD monitors, also called flat-panel displays, have largely replaced CRT monitors. They are far lighter and thinner than bulky CRT monitors, which contain heavy glass tubes. LCD monitors also come in a wider range of shapes and sizes, which include widescreen screens and standard-width screens, with ratios of 16:9 or 16:10 width-to-height for widescreen models and 4:3 for standard-width models. Laptops also use flat-panel displays.

LCD monitors are much slimmer and lighter than older-style CRT monitors.

For both LCD and CRT monitors, it's typical that the higher the dots per inch (DPI) you set to display on your screen, the better the fonts will look. When you increase the DPI, you are increasing the screen resolution. The resolution you use depends on the resolutions your monitor supports. At higher resolutions, such as 1900 x 1200 pixels, items appear sharper. They also appear smaller, so more items fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, such as 800 x 600 pixels, fewer items fit on the screen, but they are larger.

Windows allows you to increase or decrease the size of text and other items on your screen while keeping your monitor set to its optimal resolution. For more information, see Make the text on your screen larger or smaller.

The best display settings for an LCD monitor

If you have an LCD monitor, check your screen resolution. This helps to determine the clarity of on-screen images. It's a good practice to set an LCD monitor to its native resolution—the resolution a monitor was designed to display based on its size. To see your monitor's native resolution, check the display settings in Control Panel.

1. Click to open Screen Resolution.
2. Click the drop-down list next to Resolution. Check for the resolution marked (recommended). This is your LCD monitor's native resolution—usually the highest resolution your monitor can support.

The monitor's manufacturer or reseller should also be able to tell you the native resolution for your LCD monitor. (CRT monitors don't have a native resolution.)

Screen Resolution in Control Panel shows the recommended resolution for your monitor.

An LCD monitor running at its native resolution usually displays text better than a CRT monitor. LCD monitors can technically support lower resolutions than their native resolution, but text won't look as sharp and the image might be small, centered on the screen, edged with black, or look stretched. For more information, see Change screen resolution.

Because stand-alone monitors are usually larger than laptop screens, they typically support higher resolutions than laptops.

Resolution based on LCD monitor size

Monitor size	Recommended resolution (in pixels)
19-inch standard ratio LCD monitor	1280 × 1024
20-inch standard ratio LCD monitor	1600 × 1200
20- and 22-inch widescreen LCD monitors	1680 × 1050
24-inch widescreen LCD monitor	1920 × 1200

Laptop screen size	Recommended resolution (in pixels)
13- to 15-inch standard ratio laptop screen	1400 × 1050
13- to 15-inch widescreen laptop screen	1280 × 800
17-inch widescreen laptop screen	1680 × 1050

Set the color for an LCD monitor

To get the best color displayed on your LCD monitor, make sure to set it to 32-bit color. This measurement refers to color depth, which is the number of color values that can be assigned to a single pixel in an image. Color depth can range from 1 bit (black-and-white) to 32 bits (over 16.7 million colors). For more information, see Change color management settings.
1. Click to open Screen Resolution.
2. Click Advanced settings, and then click the Monitor tab.
3. Under Colors, select True Color (32 bit), and then click OK.

The best display settings for a CRT monitor

For a CRT monitor, it's important to change the screen resolution to the highest resolution available that provides 32-bit color and at least a 72-Hertz refresh rate. For more information, see Change screen resolution.

If the screen is flickering, or viewing the screen is uncomfortable, increase the refresh rate until you are comfortable with it. The higher the refresh rate, the less likely there will be any noticeable flicker. (Because LCD monitors don't create flicker, they don't need to be set at high refresh rates.) For more information, see Correct monitor flicker (refresh rate).

Resolution based on CRT monitor size

Monitor size	Recommended resolution (in pixels)
15-inch CRT monitor	1024 × 768
17- to 19-inch CRT monitor	1280 × 1024
20-inch and larger CRT monitor	1600 × 1200

Note

• Unlike LCD monitors, CRT monitors generally don't come in widescreen sizes. Almost all have a standard 4:3 screen ratio, with resolutions in the same 4:3 ratio of width to height.

Set the color for a CRT monitor

Windows colors and themes work best when you have your monitor set to 32-bit color. You can set your monitor to 24-bit color, but you won't see all the visual effects. If you set your monitor to 16-bit color, images that should be smooth might not appear correctly.

1. Click to open Screen Resolution.
2. Click Advanced settings, and then click the Monitor tab.
3. Under Colors, select True Color (32 bit), and then click OK. (If you can't select 32-bit color, check that your resolution is as high as possible, and then try again.)