How to Use Sticky Notes in Windows 7

Microsoft Windows has given us another reason to abandon pencil and paper with the Sticky Notes application that is available in most versions of Windows 7. Instead of having to keep a notepad handy, users can create multi-colored notes and arrange them on their desktop to remind them of tasks, keep lists or any other number of uses for this incredibly handy application.

These notes can be resized and dragged anywhere on your desktop you wish to place them, and are the ultimate quick note. Instead of having physical notes pasted around the edge of your computer screen you can now place virtual notes right on your desktop!

How to Access Sticky Notes

To turn on the Sticky Notes application, go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, Sticky Notes. This will create a small yellow note upon your desktop. Left-click on the note and start typing--the note will get longer as needed. When you need another note click on the "+" symbol located on the top left side of the active note.

To delete a note, click the "x" on the top right side of the note. If you close out the last note the application itself will close.

Access Sticky Notes in a Flash

To place Sticky Notes on your Start Menu, right-click on the Sticky Notes icon in the All Programs->Accessories menu and select "Pin to Start Menu." This will enable you to easily access the program without having to dig through all of the menus.

To place Sticky Notes on your Desktop, right-click on the Sticky Notes icon in the All Programs ->Accessories menu and select "Send to," then click "Desktop (create shortcut). This will place a shortcut on your desktop to enable fast access.

If you frequently have multiple windows open you may desire to pin the Sticky Notes application to your taskbar so that will always be visible. Right-click on the Sticky Notes icon in the Accessories menu once again and select "Pin to Taskbar." The icon will be placed on your taskbar, and you can drag the icon across the taskbar to find a position that you prefer.

Change the Colors of Your Sticky Notes

To change the color of your sticky note, right-click on a note and select which color you prefer. Colors available are blue, green, pink, purple, white and yellow.

Change the Format of A Sticky Note:

Despite the lack of formatting buttons, keyboard shortcuts can be used to format text before and after it is typed. To change the formatting of text that is already typed, highlight the text and press the shortcut combination.

Bold text: Ctrl + B
Underlined text : Ctrl + U
Italicized text: Ctrl + I
Strikethroughs: Ctrl + T
Bullets: Ctrl + Shift + L
Increased font size: Ctrl + Shift + >
Decreased font size: Ctrl + Shift + <

These notes can be piled one on top of the other or arranged in a pleasing arrangement on your screen. They are in the background when another window is active, but one click on the Sticky Notes icon on your taskbar will bring them to the forefront again.

Uses for Sticky Notes:

Use Sticky Notes for anything that you would normally jot down on a piece of paper; if you need a larger space drag the bottom right corner to resize them as needed. A scroll bar will appear if the note is larger than the space allotted to it, meaning that you will never run out of room on these tiny sheets of virtual paper.

Write notes, lists, tasks, numbers, codes or even little inspirational sayings and paste them to your desktop to help you through your day. Closing the application will not delete the notes; they will reappear when the program is started again.

This application eliminates the panic of a lost note; these pages will always be on your desktop unless you delete them and even better, they can be copied into a Notepad or other text file and saved as desired.

You can even hide smaller notes behind larger ones, preventing prying eyes from seeing the notes that are for you only.

Sticky Notes are one of those features that quickly become an essential part of your workday. Once you try this application you will wonder what you ever did without it!

Note: This feature is available in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise.

References:

Microsoft Windows 7 Features: Sticky Notes
Microsoft: Using Sticky Notes