Windows 7 features a number of useful new features
Windows 7 looks set to be a significant milestone in the evolution of Microsoft’s operating system. After the lukewarm reception to Vista, many users had decided to stick with Windows XP, but early reports suggest that the new software offers enough stability and power to tempt a large proportion of the PC user base. Windows 7 also benefited from reduced pre-order prices, which means that Microsoft had enjoyed healthy sales even before the actual DVDs were available for posting. In many respects, you’ll find Windows 7 looks and feels similar to Vista, and it’s only after you’ve spent some time with the software that you’ll begin to appreciate the various tweaks, improvements and innovations that you can take advantage of. When it comes to speed and stability, you should also notice significant improvements, particular when running Windows 7 on older hardware. Even if you’re upgrading from a previous version of Windows, we’d recommend running a clean install of the operating system to take full advantage of the new coding (making sure you’ve backed up all of your important documents and media files first, of course).
There are a whole host of new features introduced by Microsoft in Windows 7, though some are more noticeable than others. You’ll notice improved previewing features on the taskbar thumbnails, and a new jump lists feature that offers easy access to key functions and recently opened documents (right-click on a taskbar entry to try it). Networking functionality has been improved with the introduction of a new HomeGroup tool that makes it much easier to share files and stream media around the home across your local network. Hardware support has been enhanced to, and you’ll now find a superior interface through which to access connected printers and other devices. You can discover more about Windows 7 on the official site.
You shouldn’t have any problems working with the Windows 7 Start menu, but the new taskbar might take some getting used to – programs are shown as icons rather than bars by default, and you can pin any application to the taskbar permanently for easy access. Installing new software applications and hardware devices works in much the same way as in Windows Vista, while the list of accessories included with the operating system is alongside similar lines. Two new applications bundled with Windows 7 that you might have already downloaded and used are Media Player 12 and Internet Explorer 8, and further free programs are available from the Windows Live network.
The Network and Sharing Centre has received a number of extra tools and a few helpful tweaks, while the Security Centre has been revamped to include maintenance tasks as well and is now known as the Action Centre – this utility will still warn you about missing antivirus tools or an overdue spyware scan, but it’s now also responsible for areas of your system such as checking for Windows updates and backing up your important data.
(For a complete guide to all of the new features listed above, look out for The Essential Windows 7 Handbook, on sale from Magnesium Media from the 8th of October).
