Microsoft has launched a totally new version of their Windows operating system. Windows 7 was recently released on new computers or as an upgrade for Windows XP users.
Windows 7 features some new and convenient features that PC users will like once they get accustomed to the new layout and can find their way around the seemingly hidden menus. The new and improved Taskbar is one of the best and most improved features of Windows 7.
The new Taskbar offer more power and is easier to use than previous Taskbars. In older versions of Windows users had to drag icons to the Quick Launch bar and then integrate that into the Taskbar. In Windows 7, users can either pin programs to the Taskbar or simply allow them to only appear there when they are running.
Once program icons are pinned to the Taskbar, users can tell if the program is running by looking for a box around the icon. Granted, the box is slightly subtle but once it is recognized it will be easy to spot. Hovering the mouse of the icons will bring a pop-up thumbnail of what is running within that program.
Right clicking on an icon brings up what are called Jump Lists. These are lists of frequently used commands for that program, for example the last seven documents worked on within Microsoft Word, the option to unpin the program from the Taskbar and the option to close the window.
Icons on the Taskbar can be rearranged by simply dragging them from one place to another using the mouse. Pinning and unpinning icons from the menu is as simple as right-clicking on the icon when the program is open.
Aero Peek
On the far right side of the task bar, next to the time and date, is a small translucent outlined rectangle. This rectangle has been dubbed Aero Peek by Microsoft and acts similar to the Show Desktop feature in older versions of Windows. Resting the mouse on this area makes open Windows transparent and allows the desktop to appear. Clicking on this area hides open Windows completely and allows access to the desktop.
System Tray
Windows 7 System Tray has made working with the Task Bar much simpler than in days past. Previously, practically every application installed placed a notification in the System Tray and constant reminders and pop-ups were at best irritating to users. In Windows 7, these little pesky applets are caged together in a pen and are only visible when users choose for them to be. In addition, Microsoft gave the user more power to control whether or not notifications could be sent out.
Window View
Right clicking on a blank area of the Taskbar brings up a list of different options for viewing open Windows. Users can choose to have then stacked on top of each other, side by side, or cascading. These options allow users more control of how they are working. The best Windows view feature is the click into place. When two Windows are open and the user wants to view them side by side, they can simply drag one all the way to the left and off the screen and the other one all the way to the right and off the screen. The two Windows will pop back into place, each occupying half the available real estate.
The Taskbar and System Tray improvements in Windows 7 are just two of the major improvements Microsoft made to Windows. There are many more exciting features to be explored and that will make the PC users life easier.
source: suite101
