You can simply click and drag icons to rearrange them.

You can simply drag and drop icons or tabs on the taskbar to change their position, whether they represent programs pinned to the taskbar or active windows. As in previous versions of Windows, you can drag the taskbar to the left or right or top of the screen as well – if you want to do this, make sure the Lock the taskbar option is unticked on the right-click menu.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

Copy your existing files using Windows Easy Transfer before upgrading.

Whether you’re upgrading your existing PC to Windows 7, or moving data over from a different machine, there are tools and tricks available that enable you to bring your files and applications with you. If you’re installing Windows 7 on top of Vista, the setup program should leave your existing files and folders intact. However, it’s a good idea to back everything up beforehand just in case. If you’re moving from XP then the custom install will be necessary and you won’t have any choice but to back up first. The best method is via Windows Easy Transfer, a tool which takes the hassle out of migrating your old files to the new operating system. There are different versions for XP and Vista, and for 32-bit and 64-bit systems – click here to find the right version for your PC. Once installed, use the step-by-step guide to back up your files and settings.

Files can be transferred using several methods.

The custom installation of Windows 7 isn’t without its drawbacks. The fact that it’s going to wipe your drive means you’ll lose everything, including your programs. The Windows Easy Transfer tool will back up your data files but not applications – make sure you have all your installation discs to hand so you can reinstall programs afterwards. However, even if you’re able to reinstall your old programs there’s no guarantee they’ll work with Windows 7. The introduction of new operating systems often renders legacy programs useless. Fortunately, there’s a feature built into Windows 7 that can help you run these applications.

A simple wizard can help you get older programs working.

Compatibility Mode is the tool you want to find in Windows 7 if you’re having problems with older software. It enables you to run these programs in an artificial environment – for example, if you have a program that was originally designed for Windows XP you can use Compatibility Mode to mimic the system settings it needs to run. Exercise some caution with the types of applications you’re trying to run in Compatibility Mode – the tool shouldn’t be used for the likes of antivirus software or other critical applications.

Windows 7 can try and emulate previous versions of the OS.

If your programs are already installed on Windows 7, click on the Start button then type compatibility in the Search box. Click Run Programs Made For Previous Versions Of Windows to launch the relevant wizard – this tool will analyse your hard disk then list all of your installed programs. From the list, select the program that isn’t running correctly. Click on Next and you have two options – the first is to Try Recommended Settings, which does exactly what it says it will. If this doesn’t work, the other option is to use the Troubleshoot setting, which will take you step-by-step through the available options.

Windows XP Mode is a free download for Windows 7.

Don’t panic if your older programs still don’t work after you’ve tried Program Compatibility. You can use Windows XP Mode, an add-on that you can get from here. This free plug-in enables you to run a version of XP from within Windows 7 (in other words, a virtual PC). Once you’ve downloaded and installed it, go to the All Programs menu, click on the Windows Virtual PC link and then select Virtual Windows XP. You can even cut and paste documents between the emulated PC and your actual machine.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

It's easy to customise the way that folders are displayed.

The way that Windows Explorer displays your files and folders can be tweaked in a variety of ways, from the sorting method to the thumbnails and icons used to represent different file types. Some of the on-screen windows (such as the details pane) can be toggled on and off via the Organise/ Layout menu, while a more detailed set of options can be accessed by selecting Organise/ Folder and search options. It’s possible to show hidden files, display full folder paths, and hide file extensions, for example.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

Make use of the scroll wheel to launch new windows.

To quickly open up a new instance of a program (such as a new Word document or a new Internet Explorer window), simply click on the relevant taskbar entry using your mouse’s scroll wheel. If a program is pinned to the taskbar in the first place, you can launch it using the same method.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

The beta of Windows 7 SP1 can now be downloaded.

Microsoft has released the first public beta version of Windows 7 Service Pack 1, but warned end users to steer clear until the official release (scheduled for the start of 2011).  ”The SP1 Beta does not provide new end-user features, and installation is not supported by Microsoft,” the company said in a blog posting. Service Pack 1 pulls together all the security patches and bug fixes released since the operating system’s launch, and if you want to try it out now you can get it from here.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

Music and video files can be played without a separate program.

Windows 7 includes extensive preview capabilities built into Windows Explorer – open up the Preview pane if it isn’t already visible (via the icon on the right hand side of the toolbar), select a media file, and you’ll be able to listen to it or watch it without launching a third-party application.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

Jump lists can also be accessed on touchscreen devices.

The new jump lists feature in Windows 7 has received a lot of attention, and can be accessed by right-clicking on an entry in the taskbar. However, you can also open up a jump list by clicking on the program bar or icon and dragging upwards with the left mouse button – this is designed to make the Windows 7 operating system easier to operate on touchscreens.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

The Action Centre houses most of the security settings.

The new Action Centre included as part of Windows 7 is the natural successor to the Security Centre you’ll be familiar with from XP and Vista. Its remit has been expanded to include maintenance tasks and general PC housekeeping as well as virus scanning and malware protection. The first time you notice the Action Centre will probably be as a small white flag that appears in the notification area (or system tray) – this usually indicates that there’s a task that needs to be completed or a scan that needs to be run in order to keep your PC secure. More urgent tasks will be flagged up using a red cross.

The Action Centre also covers system backups, Windows Update, program compatibility and performance information, making it a comprehensive resource that should make managing your computer and preventing serious problems much easier. You can open the Action Centre by clicking on the icon in the notification area or by navigating through Control Panel. Any important messages or recent actions will be displayed in the centre of the screen, with further options and settings available on the left. Some of the options – such as User Account Control – will require administrator privileges before any changes can be made. When you visit the Action Centre, the most important and urgent messages will be displayed first – you’ll also be given quick links to deal with the issues that have been listed. On the left hand side are the key tools and settings you’ll need, with further utilities available at the bottom.

The Windows Firewall can be tweaked in a number of ways.

Microsoft first introduced a built-in firewall as part of Windows with later editions and Service Packs of XP, and while it doesn’t offer much in the way of advanced features, it’s an important first line of defence against the various threats that are lurking out on the Web. The good news is that it’s straightforward enough for everyone to use, and doesn’t need much in the way of configuring (though a number of more advanced options are available should you need them). The firewall will be activated by default when you install and start up Windows 7, while the Action Centre will warn you if it is ever switched off or disabled by accident. The easiest way of getting to it is via Control Panel – switch to one of the icons views and you’ll notice a Windows Firewall icon at the end.

You can think of a firewall program as acting as a border patrol for your PC – if it’s doing its job, it will be checking both incoming and outgoing data to make sure there’s no suspicious activity that might indicate a remote hacker or a spyware program installed on your hard drive. Whenever a new connection attempt is made, you’ll usually be prompted to either allow or block access, and the firewall can be configured to remember which applications you do and don’t trust. Over time, your firewall should become better at spotting potentially dangerous network activity.

Microsoft Security Essentials is available as a free download.

Windows 7 has gone further than any previous release of the operating system in terms of providing enhanced security. Microsoft has also taken the extra step of offering its own antivirus product in the form of Security Essentials, and what’s more it’s available to download for free. Security Essentials goes further than the Windows Defender package that’s supplied along with the operating system. Whilst the latter only guards against spyware, Security Essentials covers a much wider range of threats. Like most anti-malware applications it relies on a threat definition file and it’s important to keep this up to date to ensure that your machine is protected. When you install the program the first thing it will do is download the latest updates. It will then scan your system to check for existing infections.

Once the program is installed and running, the home page is colour-coded to show you the system status. You can opt to do a one-off scan at any time by choosing between Quick, Full and Custom then clicking the Scan Now button over on the right. On the Settings tab you can set up a schedule to run a scan automatically at a selected time. You also have the option to exclude certain files, locations and file types from the scanning process. Make sure that Real-time protection is turned on, which enables the program to monitor your system for suspicious activity and to have it automatically scan downloads and email attachments. On the History tab you can get an overview of the program’s activity.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

You can mute sounds from other programs when taking a call.

New in Windows 7 is a feature that will reduce the volume of your applications when the system detects that you’re receiving or making a phonecall with your PC (via a service such as Skype). To tweak this behaviour, or to disable it completely, open up the Hardware and Sound/ Sound dialog from Control Panel and visit the Communications tabs.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)

The Run as... feature makes a return in Windows 7.

After being left out of Vista, the option to run an application as a different user makes a return in Windows 7. To do this, hold down Shift, then right-click on a shortcut or executable file and choose Run as a different user from the menu that appears. This should come in handy if you’re the owner of the PC but happen to be using someone else’s account.

(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 3rd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)