Eight Must-Know Windows 7 Features
The latest version of Windows is a far cry from its predecessors. Learn more about the updates and new features that make it the most advanced version of Windows to date.
Windows often has the reputation of being the workhorse operating system. Apple OS X gets the credit for the visual bells and whistles, while PC users are stuck with a drab Windows 7. The truth is far different. There are a few reasons why Windows 7 still sits atop the heap, and one of them is how far the OS has come in terms of productivity and fun. Yes, Windows can be fun and easy to use! Here’s why.
- The taskbar has been totally redesigned to use less screen real estate and provide more functionality. For instance, you can pin and arrange your necessary applications, documents and Web sites on the taskbar so they are available for launching at any time. When you hover the cursor over a taskbar button for a program that is running, you will see a thumbnail preview of what’s open.
- Aero Peek is a great tool to use when screen real estate is valuable. If you have multiple windows open and you need to find something under them, hover your cursor over the right end of the taskbar and you’ll see the words “Show desktop.” Click this, and all the open windows become hidden, presenting a clean view of the icons, files and folders currently living on your desktop.
- Aero Snap automatically maximizes and resizes windows when you drag a window to an edge of the screen. With one movement you can have a single window fill the screen or, with two movements, you can snap together two windows that fill the screen, side by side, to quickly compare them. Drag a window again, and it returns to its original size.
- Aero Shake is a cool way to manage a lot of open windows, too. Just click and hold the cursor on the window you want to use, shake it back and forth, and the other windows automatically hide as the one you shook comes forward.
- Windows Search is a fast and thorough way to find files. It provides immediate feedback to you; as soon as you start typing, you get a list of files on your PC that match the letters you type.
- HomeGroup makes it a snap to create and join home networks, so the whole family can share files and printers. This feature also lets you watch and share movies, music, photos and videos that are on one PC with any device on the network that is running Windows 7. If you have an XBox 360, you can wirelessly connect it to your PC and watch media stored on your computer. HomeGroup lets you adjust the security settings for every item you decide to share.
- Windows Live Essentials is a bundle of programs that enable you to easily organize, manipulate and create photos, videos and blogs. Additionally, it provides you with tools for managing multiple email accounts and parental controls.
- Device Stage makes it easy to connect and configure printers, cameras, phones, music and other devices. Just plug a device into your PC and Device Stage shows you all the menus and options for using that device in one window.
These eight features only skim the surface of the many that are engineered into Windows 7. If you want to learn more or ask any questions about Windows, every Staples store has a certified Microsoft Advisor on staff to help you.