Small laptops, netbooks and computers with small monitors may be flexible, but visual space is limited on the screen. Multiple applications, screens and icons can make it difficult to navigate and multitask. You can modify settings and options in Microsoft Windows 7 to optimize the space you have and make it easier to work on a screen with limited space. Even for larger computer systems, combining apps and making the taskbar smaller can free up space on your desktop and can make navigating multiple open windows, such as numerous Internet search windows, easier. This Windows 7 guide presents several tips on how to maximize your desktop space by optimizing your operating system settings.

Right-click on your start menu and select "properties" from the pop-up menu. The "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" box will appear. Click on the "Taskbar" tab and click the selection marked "Use small icons". Press "Apply" and the icons on your desktop will shrink slightly. When your icons are smaller, you have more usable space and your desktop will appear less cluttered.

Configure applications to open multiple window instances in the same window to save space and make navigation easier. Right-click on the start menu and choose "Properties" from the menu. On the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" box, select the "Taskbar" tab. Click on the drop-down menu next to the "Taskbar buttons" selection. Your options are "Always combine, hide labels", "Combine when taskbar is full" and "Never combine". Maximize space by selecting "Always combine, hide labels". "Never combine" should be selected if you do not open many windows at the same time, as it provides more file name visibility. Select "Combine when taskbar is full" if you occasionally open multiple windows, but prefer to maintain full file names when you only have a few windows open.

After making adjustments to your Windows 7 setting, review your selections to ensure they work well for your computer usage style. Make modifications to your settings as needed.

Check out the how tos below to learn other tips for the Windows 7 Operating System:

1. How to Burn Disk Images in Windows 7
2. How to Change the Taskbar Clock Setting in Windows 7
3. How to Change What the Power Button Does in Windows 7
4. How to Combine Apps and Make the Taskbar Smaller in Windows 7
5. How to Create a Full Search in Windows 7
6. How to Create a Virtual Hard Disk in Windows 7
7. How to Display Empty Drives in Windows 7
8. How to Dock Window from Left to Right to Center in Windows 7
9. How to Encrypt a USB Drive in Windows 7
10. How to Magnify the Screen in Windows 7
11. How to Make Your Background a Slideshow in Windows 7
12. How to Minimize Hide Expand Browse Windows in Windows 7
13. How to Quickly Arrange Icons in Windows 7
14. How to Quickly Create a New Instance of a Program in Windows 7
15. How to Quickly Lock the Screen in Windows 7
16. How to Remove or Add Run Command in Start Menu in Windows 7
17. How to Run an Application as Administrator in Windows 7
18. How to Run An Application As Another User in Windows 7
19. How to Show or Hide the Preview Side Bar in Windows 7
20. How TO Stretch a Window Vertically in Windows 7
21. How To Turn On and Off Security Settings in Windows 7
22. How to Use the App Locker in Windows 7