Unlock Global Themes for Windows 7

Although there are already several different transparency and wallpaper options available for the Aero Theme within Windows 7, there are several global options that are hidden by default.  These include specialized themes for the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.  The following explains how to utilize these hidden themes:

1. Navigate to Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Windows/Globalization
2. The folder in question is hidden by default, so click on the ‘Organize’ dropdown tab and select ‘Folder and Search Options’
3. Click on the View Tab and select the radio button that says ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’
4. A folder entitled ‘MCT’ should appear, and within it contain five folders, which correspond with the themes available for the corresponding country
5. Selecting, for example, MCT-AU, and opening the Theme folder within, double-clicking ‘AU.theme’ will both apply this theme and all wallpapers to your theme menu
6. After applying the themes, consider hiding the hidden files to prevent ‘desktop.ini’ files from showing on your desktop.

AdBlock+ With Google Chrome

First off, you’ll want to grab the Dev Channel edition of Google Chrome if you don’t have this already[here].  You want this version because as of about a month ago this version includes an extension manager that will make this entire process easier for you.  Plus, now you are on the bleeding edge of Chrome releases.

First you will want to install AdSweep.  When you head to the page, make sure to click on the Google Chrome Extension link and not the user script[here].  After clicking the link for the extension, Chrome will ask if you want to save the file.  Say yes, then a box will automatically pop up asking if you would like to install, click “Install” and you are done.  Adsweep is basically your meat and potatos ad blocking program.  It will remove just about everything that you dont want.

Another way to block ads in Google Chrome is to head to userscripts.org and get the AdBlock+ for Google Chrome [here].  Make sure to click on the link for the Chrome extension, save it, and click Install after it is done downloading.  This script will allow you to selectively block advertisements on an ad by ad basis.

The one two punch combination of these programs should give you what you need to have a very nice online experience with Google Chrome.

Tips:

-To disable or enable extensions on the fly, click the wrench(or settings icon) in Chrome, then scroll down to “Extensions”

-Ctrl+Alt+B – Turn off the new AdBlock+ toolbar that you now have

-You can also get to your extensions setup page by typing the following into the superbar “chrome://extensions/”

-DPollitt