My desktop has a black background. Whenever i go to Desktop Properties, it won't let me change any of my backgrounds. I'm able to select the images, but the background never changed. I rather just have it back to the Vista background.

I have just lost my Windows links in the Start menu - those to Windows Defender, DVD Maker, Meeting Space etc. Apart from working through a list and having to put the links back manually, is there a quicker way that won't upset my PC too much?

The Recycle Bin icon in Windows Vista may not change to show whether or not it is full or empty. It may be either stuck on the empty icon or the full icon, but the Recycle Bin icon updates correctly when you press the F5 button on the keyboard to refresh the Desktop manually.

The Disk Defragmenter in Windows Vista is scheduled to run on every Wednesday at 1:00 AM. This article tells you how to disable the schedule (in case you've installed a third-party defragmenter), or modify the schedule accordingly.

The Templates section of TweakUI PowerToy for Windows XP helps you create or delete document templates (shown under the New menu.) This article tells you how to manage document templates using TweakUI PowerToy for Windows XP, under Windows Vista.

This article explains how to redirect the output of command line tools to the Windows Vista Clipboard.

After upgrading from Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Premium, the machine is missing all of the choices in AutoPlay that deal with aspects of Windows Media Player. These two options are missing in the AutoPlay dialog:

In Windows Photo Gallery, when I select a photo to email and click the E-mail button on the toolbar, nothing happens. It does not open a email window, and does not proceed to select size option. I noticed that many atleast get to the size option before it stops, but I cannot even get an email window to open. Using the Default Programs applet, I tried setting all Windows Mail as the default program for mail, but that has not helped.

I am looking for the option to search for Pictures, music or video like we had in Windows XP. It appears that the option is removed in Windows Vista. How do I search for Pictures, music and videos?

When you attempt to open a .PDF file that came as a mail attachment in Windows Mail, the following error may occur:

I inadvertently clicked Uninstall when I was trying to delete the Calendar gadget in the Windows Sidebar and it's completely gone from the gadgets list. How do I reinstate them? I don't prefer third-party alternatives.

Here is a quick tip on how to copy the Command Prompt output to the clipboard.

I have a folder that contains all my .jpg files. When I select to view the .jpg by thumbnail, majority of the pictures display do not match the file names?

When you open Windows Vista Start menu, and right-click Recent Items, the option Clear Recent Items List may be missing. Also, the Recent folder may be displayed with a generic folder icon in Windows Explorer.

When you right-click on the Desktop and click New, the Folder entry may be missing from the sub-menu.