When you first connect to a new network, Windows 8 prompts what type of network it is. If you later want to change this connection from Public to Private (or other way around) perform following steps:

Read more: Change network from public to private in Windows 8

Normally on a new Windows 7 installation start menu search works instantly, but with time it's getting slower and slower. This is because start menu searches not only for programs, but also for documents in your libraries, emails, Internet history, etc.

If you only use start menu search to find and launch applications you can massively improve search speed making start menu only search for applications and items such as control panel options rather that all these additional items which you never want.

Read more: Make Windows 7 Start Menu search faster

Some applications add addition button to make window stay always on top not allowing other open windows to cover it.
This useful feature can be added to almost any application windows via third party tools. One of them is freeware FileBox eXtender. You can download it from here or directly from developer's site.

This utility adds a little pin icon to all windows. Clicking it makes window to stay always on top. There are some other useful features as well such as roll roll-up window and favorite folders.

Read more: Make window stay always on top

Open Internet Explorer and go to Tools > Internet Options

In Browsing History section click on Settings

In Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window click View Objects

Read more: Delete ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer