Getting the Most Out of Windows 7

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If you are already running Windows 7, or are planning to upgrade to Windows 7, this is one good article to help you decide on what to expect from Microsoft's latest release on their OS lines.
For the record, I am already running Windows 7, and an official one at that. I'm saying that I'm running a licensed version of Windows 7 Ultimate. I did got the cheaper version, though, since my laptop was running Windows Vista Home Premium, and that is good enough for me.


This article could be a primer for Windows 7. Read on...


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Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7, is an excellent release. Microsoft listened to consumers and
technicians this time around to create a great operating system that has a lot of user-friendly features. This
article will cover several of those features to help you get the most out of your Windows 7 system.

First, your Start Menu remains the improved version seen in the last Windows release. You access your Start Menu by clicking on the Windows button at the bottom left of your screen. Once you click, your most frequently used programs are displayed right in front of you. You can "pin" programs to this menu by right-clicking them and choosing "Pin to Start Menu."

Access all your programs by clicking "All Programs" on the bottom of the menu, or simply type the program name into the search box. You'll see buttons linking to all your folders to the right of your menus. Your user folder will be there, as well as a link to documents, downloads, and pictures. You can customize what shows up by right-clicking next to your user picture and choosing "Properties," then click the "Start Menu" tab, then click the "Customize" button.

Next, take a look at your Taskbar - that's be bar that runs along the bottom of your computer screen. Any programs you have open will have an icon displayed on the Taskbar. The Taskbar is greatly improved in Windows 7. First, you can rearrange the icons in any order you like. Simply click on them, hold your mouse button down, and drag the icon where you want it.

If you have multiple windows open in a program they will "stack" on top of each other, looking a bit like a deck of
cards. When you click the stack of icons, a little window will pop up and show you a preview of each of your program windows so you can pick the one you want. There will also be an "X" button so you can quickly close those you don't need open anymore. If you have music or a video play, the preview window will have controls for you!

Next up is the windows themselves. If you have a window in a small size and you want it maximized, simply click on the top border of the window with your mouse. Hold down your mouse button and drag the window to the top of the screen. It automatically maximizes! Drag it down again and it will return to the size you had it.

Windows 7 makes comparing two documents or screens easy, too. Click on the top bar of the first window and drag it until your mouse point hits the left side of your screen. It will pop to fill half of your screen. Use the same technique to drag the second window to the right - it will fill the other half of the screen for side-by-side viewing.

A final useful feature in Windows 7 is a small button in the very bottom, right-hand corner of your screen. It looks like a tiny button on top of the Taskbar. Click that, and all windows on your screen minimize so you can see the desktop. Click again, and your windows pop back to where they were.

Windows 7 truly has a user-friendly interface that you'll find quick to learn and easy to work with. Explore these
features and others to get the most out of your copy of Windows 7.

Kristen enjoys writing and sharing good ideas. Come visit her new website about the pet play pen and a really great
idea - the puppy play pen.

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Windows 7
Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7, is an excellent release. Microsoft listened to consumers and
technicians this time around to create a great operating system that has a lot of user-friendly features.


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