What's new in windows 7?
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:44 amWindows 7 Tips
Windows 7 Beta has now set the standards high! With lots of hard work, the Windows Team has produced a product that today’s computer user can be completely grateful for. Picking up where Vista left off, Windows 7 has done its fair share of cleaning and enhancing interface as well the structure of Windows. Windows 7 has launched a large variety of new upgrades, features and hardware. Windows 7 is very user-friendly and will prove beneficial for the techy, as well as the average user.
If you have recently installed Windows 7, below are tips to ensure your experience with Windows 7 is a pleasant one. Enjoy!
Add-Ons
Always check your add-ons. This could be the reason why your internet pages are loading slowly. This can be done by simple clicking Tools, and next click Manage Add-ons. Scroll down the list to view the add-ons, as well as the loading times. If you see any that are not of importance to you, feel free to disable it.
Administrator Privileges
Do you constantly receive an error message due to limited rights as a user? Simply pressing Ctrl+Shift as you click on the desired item will allow you to launch your application as an administrator.
Aero Peek
This feature (located in the bottom right corner of your taskbar) allows you to view or access items located on your desktop. You can also perform an aero peek by simply pressing Win+Space.
Cancel Background Noise
Noised produced in the background when working can be quite a distraction. To help cancel or decrease this noise, Windows 7 has provided a keyboard shortcut: Win+Home. The noise will immediately be brought to a minimum as you continue to handle your other tasks. To restore the audio, simply press Win+Home again.
Changing the Default Starting Directory
Are you one of those people who go through a lot of files you don’t need before reaching the files that you do need? To make sure your files are there when you start, Windows 7 allows you to change the starting directory. To do this, simply go to Windows Explorer via the Start Menu. When editing the properties, also change the target by typing: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}.
Window will continue to display your changes until you tell it otherwise. To view your documents quickly, use the keyboard shortcut Win+E.
Command Prompt
Windows 7 makes it easier to browse through your directory. A step up from the Windows XP Command Prompt function, Windows 7 does the work for you. To do this, press and hold the Shift key as you browse over the context menu. The network drive location will appear immediately.
Desktop Space
Although widescreens are very common with today’s computers, there are a lot of people who wish those “black bars” weren’t there. They want and need desktop space. To begin saving space with little effort, position your taskbar on either the left or right side of your screen. The beautiful thing about the Windows 7 taskbar is that it fits snuggly when docked, giving you the space you need to complete your tasks without feeling cluttered. Making this simple chance will give you and your windows more breathing room.
Display Settings
If your screen display isn’t as sharp as it could be or your screen is too dark, Windows 7 has the perfect solution.
Experiment with ClearType Text Tuning (cttune.exe) and Display Color Calibration (dccw.exe). You can also access these tools from the Control Panel. You will not be disappointed and your eyes will thank you.
Duplicating Windows
This feature is designed to allow you to open an application that is currently open already without having to go to the Start Menu. To do this, simply hold down the Shift key as you click on the taskbar item. A new, duplicate window of your application will open. To do this without performing the above steps, you can use the shortcut by simply clicking on the third button located on your mouse.
OpenType Layout
Windows 7 includes a wide variety of typefaces. Along with these many typefaces are addition features. For example, one of the many choices is Gabriola. With OpenType Layout, Gabriola can be displayed in an array of unique sets, superfluities and embellishments.
Image Burning
Windows 7 makes burning .ISO images easy! You would begin by double-clicking on the desired CD or DVD .ISO image that you wish you wish to use. A dialog box will appear to assist you with the burning process. This feature is wonderful for anyone who does a great amount of disc burning, as it prevents you from having to search for the latest and greatest burning utilities.
Installing Fonts
No more manually installing fonts! Windows 7 has made adding fonts easy. There is now an Install button located in the font view box. This isn’t the only perk provided with the font option. Other options allow you to hide certain fonts that aren’t in agreement with your regional settings and group various weights together. There is also a new text altering tool that gives you the options of demibold, demibold italics, and italic bold. This is definitely a step up from the normal bold, italics, and regular options.
Laptop Installation via USB Flash Drive
If you own a laptop, you are aware that the majority of these machines have no DVD and/or CD-R drive, so installation can be a drag. Windows 7 makes this easy. For example, if you want to install Windows 7 Beta on your laptop to replace your current operating system, simply take your reformatted flash drive (should be at least 4GB) and copy the ISO image onto the corresponding drive. Although this method can be a bit tedious, it is faster than performing the typical installation
Make Windows Live Messenger Invisible
If you enjoy talking with your friends on Windows Messenger, the Windows 7 team has made it their priority to make sure that you can easily access your application at all times from your Taskbar (compliments of Windows Live Essentials. For those who do not use the program on a constant basis, there is the infamous system tray. To do this you must first close the messenger and via shortcut properties, command the messenger to run in Windows Vista compatibility mode. This should handle your problem.
Managing Your Windows
Windows 7 makes managing your windows a breeze. You can move you windows by simply dragging them to the left, right, up and down. To maximize the window, drag it to the top of the screen. You can also maximize your page according to vertical and horizontal settings by double-clicking the top or bottom border. There are also shortcuts for these options located below:
Win+Left Arrow (dock to left)
Win+Right Arrow (dock to right)
Win+Up Arrow ( maximize/restore)
Win+Down Arrow (minimize)
Win+Shift+Up Arrow (maximize/restore vertical size)
Win+Shift+Down Arrow (maximize/restore vertical size)
Organizing the Taskbar
Windows 7 makes organizing your taskbar a breeze. If you haven’t noticed, the items in the taskbar are not locked. You can drag them any place (on the taskbar of course), and are free to arrange them however you wish. Once you have arranged your items, there will be assigned keyboard shortcuts based on the items position. These shortcuts are: Win+1, Win+2, and so on. These shortcuts are perfect for the taskbar lovers.
Problem Steps Recorder
This feature is a life-saver and proves to be very beneficial for the users who aren’t as technically advanced. It allows you to record your computer activity, meaning it literally keeps track of the keyboard and mouse. This nifty feature also has a comments section! When you are done recording and making your comments, Windows 7 saves your recording in the ZIP file format. To access the program, you can perform a search for psr.exe or simply open it from the Control Panel.
Projection Capabilities
Technical issues with OEM display drivers and projectors are a thing of the past. Windows 7 solves this problem with a simple keyboard shortcut: Win+P (or you can access it from the run menu by entering displayswitch.exe. After pressing this, you will be presented with a window with iconic display options. You can navigate through these options (clone, extend, or external only) using the arrow keys. For more control when doing presentations, press Win+X . This shortcut will take you to the Windows Mobility Center, where you change the presentation mode, monitor you IM programs, and a host of other cool things.
Quick Launch Toolbar
If you are an avid user of this feature, I’m sure you have detected that it is missing from the Windows 7 interface. Windows 7 feels as if the toolbar isn’t as important to the average user, but if you are one of the individuals who need this feature, follow the simple steps below:
Right-click on the taskbar.
Select Toolbars.
Select New Toolbar.
Type %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch in the folder selection dialog.
Click OK.
After enabling the quick launch toolbar, your options will be the same as they always were. Feel free to arrange your quick launch as you wish.
Quickly Access Your Most-Used Folders
If you are tired of clicking around or taking a journey just to get to the folders you access daily, and sometimes hourly, this is the perfect feature for you. Windows 7 allow you to pin these folders to your taskbar. To do this, simply drag the desired folder, and you’re done! The folder will appear immediately
Switching Windows
This feature is great for the individual who constantly has many windows open at once. For example, if you have a few windows open belonging to the same application (or a group), this feature allows you to navigate through the windows within that specific group. Just hold down the Ctrl key as you click on the desired application’s icon to quickly view the windows. You can also press Alt+Tab to perform this action, but the aforementioned approach is the most efficient and user-friendly.
Take Advantage of Jump Lists
Jump Lists has become a favorite of many taskbar lovers. Not only does use of it allow you to easily access various programs (i.e. Windows Live Messenger), it also prevents you from using the dreaded right-click context menu. You can also access the jump lists if you left-click and simply “drag up.” There are also other instances with Internet Explorer 8 that allow this dragging function.
Taskbar Navigation
Making the taskbar navigation was one of the best decisions Windows 7 has ever made. This small feature saves you an enormous amount of time that you would normally use clicking around on your taskbar. To begin hold down Win+T. This will place you on the taskbar and you will use the arrows keys to help you choose the desired window. After making this decision, press Enter to make the document or application active. After performing the desired changes, press Esc to exit.
The Ribbon & Format Compatibility
The functionality and style of the Ribbon is a favorite of Vista users. Windows 7 has incorporated the Ribbon feature in its Paint and WordPad applications. Another feature that most users aren’t aware of is that WordPad now has the ability to read and write XML file formats, as well as other open document programs.
Troubleshooting
There isn’t a computer in this world that will not give you technical difficulties. Your computer can freeze at any moment or your pages may not load as fast they should. To help with issues such as these, Windows 7 allows you to create a bootable system repair disc. Just simply enter system repair disc into the search box on the Start Menu to begin restoring your computer.
Vista Taskbar
If you are a fan of the Vista interface, then you will love this option. To begin altering your layout, simply right-click on the taskbar, and click Properties. In the Properties dialog box check the small icons box. Next, change the taskbar buttons settings to combine when taskbar is full. Although there are a few loose screws, the view and function thus far is impeccable.
Wallpaper
If you are a huge wallpaper fan, you will love the choices Windows 7 provides. Upon installation and choosing of your location, there are wallpapers that you can use to express your nationality. If you choose France, you will have the choice of choosing wallpapers depicting beautiful French landscapes and landmarks! But keep in mind not all wallpapers are available to you, but are located in a hidden directory. To browse Windows 7’s international wallpaper collection visit: C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT. Double-clicking on any theme will allow you to an array of images from the selected country.
Windows Monitor Management
If you are using dual monitors this is a very helpful tool. Very similar to windows management, but instead monitor management allow you to move windows across monitors. The keyboard commands for this function are located below:
Win+Shift+Left Arrow (move to left monitor)
Win+Shift+Right Arrow (move to right monitor)
Windows 7 Beta has now set the standards high! With lots of hard work, the Windows Team has produced a product that today’s computer user can be completely grateful for. Picking up where Vista left off, Windows 7 has done its fair share of cleaning and enhancing interface as well the structure of Windows. Windows 7 has launched a large variety of new upgrades, features and hardware. Windows 7 is very user-friendly and will prove beneficial for the techy, as well as the average user.
If you have recently installed Windows 7, below are tips to ensure your experience with Windows 7 is a pleasant one. Enjoy!
Add-Ons
Always check your add-ons. This could be the reason why your internet pages are loading slowly. This can be done by simple clicking Tools, and next click Manage Add-ons. Scroll down the list to view the add-ons, as well as the loading times. If you see any that are not of importance to you, feel free to disable it.
Administrator Privileges
Do you constantly receive an error message due to limited rights as a user? Simply pressing Ctrl+Shift as you click on the desired item will allow you to launch your application as an administrator.
Aero Peek
This feature (located in the bottom right corner of your taskbar) allows you to view or access items located on your desktop. You can also perform an aero peek by simply pressing Win+Space.
Cancel Background Noise
Noised produced in the background when working can be quite a distraction. To help cancel or decrease this noise, Windows 7 has provided a keyboard shortcut: Win+Home. The noise will immediately be brought to a minimum as you continue to handle your other tasks. To restore the audio, simply press Win+Home again.
Changing the Default Starting Directory
Are you one of those people who go through a lot of files you don’t need before reaching the files that you do need? To make sure your files are there when you start, Windows 7 allows you to change the starting directory. To do this, simply go to Windows Explorer via the Start Menu. When editing the properties, also change the target by typing: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}.
Window will continue to display your changes until you tell it otherwise. To view your documents quickly, use the keyboard shortcut Win+E.
Command Prompt
Windows 7 makes it easier to browse through your directory. A step up from the Windows XP Command Prompt function, Windows 7 does the work for you. To do this, press and hold the Shift key as you browse over the context menu. The network drive location will appear immediately.
Desktop Space
Although widescreens are very common with today’s computers, there are a lot of people who wish those “black bars” weren’t there. They want and need desktop space. To begin saving space with little effort, position your taskbar on either the left or right side of your screen. The beautiful thing about the Windows 7 taskbar is that it fits snuggly when docked, giving you the space you need to complete your tasks without feeling cluttered. Making this simple chance will give you and your windows more breathing room.
Display Settings
If your screen display isn’t as sharp as it could be or your screen is too dark, Windows 7 has the perfect solution.
Experiment with ClearType Text Tuning (cttune.exe) and Display Color Calibration (dccw.exe). You can also access these tools from the Control Panel. You will not be disappointed and your eyes will thank you.
Duplicating Windows
This feature is designed to allow you to open an application that is currently open already without having to go to the Start Menu. To do this, simply hold down the Shift key as you click on the taskbar item. A new, duplicate window of your application will open. To do this without performing the above steps, you can use the shortcut by simply clicking on the third button located on your mouse.
OpenType Layout
Windows 7 includes a wide variety of typefaces. Along with these many typefaces are addition features. For example, one of the many choices is Gabriola. With OpenType Layout, Gabriola can be displayed in an array of unique sets, superfluities and embellishments.
Image Burning
Windows 7 makes burning .ISO images easy! You would begin by double-clicking on the desired CD or DVD .ISO image that you wish you wish to use. A dialog box will appear to assist you with the burning process. This feature is wonderful for anyone who does a great amount of disc burning, as it prevents you from having to search for the latest and greatest burning utilities.
Installing Fonts
No more manually installing fonts! Windows 7 has made adding fonts easy. There is now an Install button located in the font view box. This isn’t the only perk provided with the font option. Other options allow you to hide certain fonts that aren’t in agreement with your regional settings and group various weights together. There is also a new text altering tool that gives you the options of demibold, demibold italics, and italic bold. This is definitely a step up from the normal bold, italics, and regular options.
Laptop Installation via USB Flash Drive
If you own a laptop, you are aware that the majority of these machines have no DVD and/or CD-R drive, so installation can be a drag. Windows 7 makes this easy. For example, if you want to install Windows 7 Beta on your laptop to replace your current operating system, simply take your reformatted flash drive (should be at least 4GB) and copy the ISO image onto the corresponding drive. Although this method can be a bit tedious, it is faster than performing the typical installation
Make Windows Live Messenger Invisible
If you enjoy talking with your friends on Windows Messenger, the Windows 7 team has made it their priority to make sure that you can easily access your application at all times from your Taskbar (compliments of Windows Live Essentials. For those who do not use the program on a constant basis, there is the infamous system tray. To do this you must first close the messenger and via shortcut properties, command the messenger to run in Windows Vista compatibility mode. This should handle your problem.
Managing Your Windows
Windows 7 makes managing your windows a breeze. You can move you windows by simply dragging them to the left, right, up and down. To maximize the window, drag it to the top of the screen. You can also maximize your page according to vertical and horizontal settings by double-clicking the top or bottom border. There are also shortcuts for these options located below:
Win+Left Arrow (dock to left)
Win+Right Arrow (dock to right)
Win+Up Arrow ( maximize/restore)
Win+Down Arrow (minimize)
Win+Shift+Up Arrow (maximize/restore vertical size)
Win+Shift+Down Arrow (maximize/restore vertical size)
Organizing the Taskbar
Windows 7 makes organizing your taskbar a breeze. If you haven’t noticed, the items in the taskbar are not locked. You can drag them any place (on the taskbar of course), and are free to arrange them however you wish. Once you have arranged your items, there will be assigned keyboard shortcuts based on the items position. These shortcuts are: Win+1, Win+2, and so on. These shortcuts are perfect for the taskbar lovers.
Problem Steps Recorder
This feature is a life-saver and proves to be very beneficial for the users who aren’t as technically advanced. It allows you to record your computer activity, meaning it literally keeps track of the keyboard and mouse. This nifty feature also has a comments section! When you are done recording and making your comments, Windows 7 saves your recording in the ZIP file format. To access the program, you can perform a search for psr.exe or simply open it from the Control Panel.
Projection Capabilities
Technical issues with OEM display drivers and projectors are a thing of the past. Windows 7 solves this problem with a simple keyboard shortcut: Win+P (or you can access it from the run menu by entering displayswitch.exe. After pressing this, you will be presented with a window with iconic display options. You can navigate through these options (clone, extend, or external only) using the arrow keys. For more control when doing presentations, press Win+X . This shortcut will take you to the Windows Mobility Center, where you change the presentation mode, monitor you IM programs, and a host of other cool things.
Quick Launch Toolbar
If you are an avid user of this feature, I’m sure you have detected that it is missing from the Windows 7 interface. Windows 7 feels as if the toolbar isn’t as important to the average user, but if you are one of the individuals who need this feature, follow the simple steps below:
Right-click on the taskbar.
Select Toolbars.
Select New Toolbar.
Type %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch in the folder selection dialog.
Click OK.
After enabling the quick launch toolbar, your options will be the same as they always were. Feel free to arrange your quick launch as you wish.
Quickly Access Your Most-Used Folders
If you are tired of clicking around or taking a journey just to get to the folders you access daily, and sometimes hourly, this is the perfect feature for you. Windows 7 allow you to pin these folders to your taskbar. To do this, simply drag the desired folder, and you’re done! The folder will appear immediately
Switching Windows
This feature is great for the individual who constantly has many windows open at once. For example, if you have a few windows open belonging to the same application (or a group), this feature allows you to navigate through the windows within that specific group. Just hold down the Ctrl key as you click on the desired application’s icon to quickly view the windows. You can also press Alt+Tab to perform this action, but the aforementioned approach is the most efficient and user-friendly.
Take Advantage of Jump Lists
Jump Lists has become a favorite of many taskbar lovers. Not only does use of it allow you to easily access various programs (i.e. Windows Live Messenger), it also prevents you from using the dreaded right-click context menu. You can also access the jump lists if you left-click and simply “drag up.” There are also other instances with Internet Explorer 8 that allow this dragging function.
Taskbar Navigation
Making the taskbar navigation was one of the best decisions Windows 7 has ever made. This small feature saves you an enormous amount of time that you would normally use clicking around on your taskbar. To begin hold down Win+T. This will place you on the taskbar and you will use the arrows keys to help you choose the desired window. After making this decision, press Enter to make the document or application active. After performing the desired changes, press Esc to exit.
The Ribbon & Format Compatibility
The functionality and style of the Ribbon is a favorite of Vista users. Windows 7 has incorporated the Ribbon feature in its Paint and WordPad applications. Another feature that most users aren’t aware of is that WordPad now has the ability to read and write XML file formats, as well as other open document programs.
Troubleshooting
There isn’t a computer in this world that will not give you technical difficulties. Your computer can freeze at any moment or your pages may not load as fast they should. To help with issues such as these, Windows 7 allows you to create a bootable system repair disc. Just simply enter system repair disc into the search box on the Start Menu to begin restoring your computer.
Vista Taskbar
If you are a fan of the Vista interface, then you will love this option. To begin altering your layout, simply right-click on the taskbar, and click Properties. In the Properties dialog box check the small icons box. Next, change the taskbar buttons settings to combine when taskbar is full. Although there are a few loose screws, the view and function thus far is impeccable.
Wallpaper
If you are a huge wallpaper fan, you will love the choices Windows 7 provides. Upon installation and choosing of your location, there are wallpapers that you can use to express your nationality. If you choose France, you will have the choice of choosing wallpapers depicting beautiful French landscapes and landmarks! But keep in mind not all wallpapers are available to you, but are located in a hidden directory. To browse Windows 7’s international wallpaper collection visit: C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT. Double-clicking on any theme will allow you to an array of images from the selected country.
Windows Monitor Management
If you are using dual monitors this is a very helpful tool. Very similar to windows management, but instead monitor management allow you to move windows across monitors. The keyboard commands for this function are located below:
Win+Shift+Left Arrow (move to left monitor)
Win+Shift+Right Arrow (move to right monitor)