Windows 7: New Features

Explore the Windows 7 environment, identify new desktop components, and examine the start menu and task bar. Learn to switch between programs and move or resize windows.

Open the file menu to access print, choose a printer, view the print dialog and print preview, and adjust options like pages and copies, or print to a ptf.

Delete files and folders with the delete key, or by dragging to the recycling bin, or via right-click. They stay until you empty the bin, and you can restore them.

Open the recycling bin, view the files, and restore a deleted document or folder by right-clicking and selecting restore to return it to its original location.

Explore the start menu and the task bar to understand quick access, organization, and navigation in Windows 7.

Use the start menu to open applications with a search area that finds programs like Microsoft Word, and use control panel to configure computer, search for files, and shut down.

Master folder management in Windows 7 by creating, moving with cut and paste, and deleting items, then track revisions with previous versions and multiple file copies.

Learn to customize Windows Explorer with view and folder options, adjust column headings, sorting, and resizing, and switch among content, details, lists, and large icon views.

Explore window management in Windows 7, focusing on the fundamentals of managing windows within the operating system.

Explore how Windows 7 live thumbnails on the taskbar show real-time previews, bring a window full forward when clicked, and let you close a window from its thumbnail.

Learn to customize the folder details dialog by selecting which details to display—name, date, tags, size, rating—adapting for folders, from contacts with phone numbers to music with album and artist.

Sort files and folders by any detail using column headings, clicking to toggle ascending or descending order, and use the down arrow to filter a subset like word documents.

Create and manage stacks to organize files by themes. Use default or personal pictures, such as nature or architecture, and arrange items the way you want to see them.

Aero snap lets you maximize or restore a window by dragging the titlebar to the top; the Windows key plus up arrow also maximizes, and dragging down restores.

Explain metadata as data about data, including information like author, file size, and last modified. Learn to use keywords to locate and organize files efficiently.

Explore how Windows Explorer customization works, switch view modes from icons to lists, enable a preview pane, manage ratings, tags and dimensions, and share, burn, email, or print files.

Explore how the start menu search finds installed programs and indexed files, and how Windows Explorer can search a selected folder or storage device even when not indexed.

Shake a window by dragging its titlebar to minimize all others, keeping the active program in front; press Windows key + Home, then shake again to restore.

Explore the Windows 7 desktop environment, including desktop components, the taskbar, the start menu, and the notification area, to navigate a new working interface.

Explore how to customize the taskbar, start menu, and notification area in Windows 7, and learn about jump lists and gadgets to create shortcuts and improve daily use.

Master customizing the taskbar and Start Menu in Windows 7 to tailor your desktop experience.

Pin frequently used programs to the taskbar or Start menu for quick access to essentials like Chrome, Word, Outlook, and Explorer. Drag icons or right-click to pin.

learn to remove shortcuts by right-clicking the icon, unpin from the taskbar, or unpin from the start menu, and remove unpinned items from the start menu as needed.

Customize the taskbar and start menu by right-clicking the taskbar or start button and opening properties, then adjust recent programs and which items appear on the right side.

Customize the notification area in Windows 7 by right-clicking it, opening properties, and selecting each icon's visibility and individual settings.

Customize the notification area in Windows 7 by choosing which icons and notifications appear, including network, action center, volume, and third-party remote software icons, and restoring defaults.

Explore how to customize Windows 7 start menu and taskbar, pin and unpin programs, adjust power button actions, privacy settings, and notification area to tailor your interface.

Jump lists are pop-up lists providing quick access to recent and favorite files on the taskbar or Start Menu, accessible by right-clicking or dragging up from the icon.

Learn how jump lists appear in Windows 7 by selecting a program from the start menu to view shortcuts and the recent files list.

Explore how to work with gadgets in Windows 7, aligning with the topic on gadget usage.

Desktop gadgets in Windows 7 run independently from the side bar, delivering clocks and sticky notes. Customize colors, time zones, and always-on-top display, and view calendars without full app scheduling.

Access the gadget gallery by right-clicking the desktop, browse thousands of gadgets online, and verify the source before downloading.

Explore Windows 7 desktop gadgets, learn how to add freestanding clocks and weather widgets, drag them on screen, set always on top, and access online gadget galleries.

Explore the taskbar, start menu, and notification area in Windows 7, customize menus and pinned icons, and learn about jump lists and the online gadget gallery.

Discover how libraries and folders organize content in Windows 7 by creating and managing folders, translating them into libraries, editing file metadata, and searching the computer for specific content.

Explore how folders and libraries organize files in Windows 7 as part of the Windows 7: new features course.

Navigate Windows Explorer with the address bar, libraries, and navigation pane to manage pictures and files, using the command bar, search, and preview and details panes and file metadata.

Discover how to customize Windows Explorer views, adjust icon sizes, and enable a preview pane. Learn to organize files with ratings, tags, and dimensions, and use sharing, burning, and slideshows.

Learn how a library's storage locations work, including default locations and how to add or remove locations such as documents, my documents, public documents, and reports.

Create a library by right-clicking a folder or using the command bar to add folders, organizing documents from multiple locations.

Delete a library in Windows Explorer by selecting it and pressing delete. Deleting removes the library listing, a search across multiple locations, but does not delete the files or folders.

Add folders to a library by opening the library's contents pane, selecting the locations link, and choosing the desired folder; alternatively right-click a folder to add it.

Remove folders from the library by right-clicking and selecting remove. Alternatively, open the library contents pane and click remove to complete the action.

Set the default save location for a library by using the library locations dialog box and right-clicking a folder to choose set as default save location.

This topic covers working with Windows Explorer as part of Windows 7 new features, guiding practical use.

Discover how to customize Windows Explorer in Windows 7, choosing display modes from large icons to details, and tailoring sorting, grouping, filtering, and pane visibility including preview pane.

Explore how to use the view button in Windows Explorer to switch icon sizes from details to large icons, with the window updating as you drag the slider.

Change the layout by selecting organize, then layout, and choose the panes to show, noting that the contents page cannot be hidden.

Right-click a column heading to customize headings; use the shortcut menu for folder-type headings; check or clear headings as needed; click more to view details in the dialog box.

Resize and rearrange columns by dragging the border between column headings, or right-click a heading to choose size options and fit, then drag headings to reorder.

Sort files quickly by clicking the column headings to toggle between ascending and descending orders, then filter subsets using the dropdown arrow to select the desired criteria.

Explore stacking image files by month or by keywords to categorize a single folder. See how Windows 7 groups files as stacked categories in the default library, improving organization.

Select a file or folder, use the details pane to edit standard metadata such as author and keywords, and rely on Windows Explorer to display it in views.

Explore how to create and populate a documents library, add folders and locations, and manage items from removable drives, including deleting and removing locations.

Explore how to search for content using the new features in Windows 7. Gain practical tips for efficient content discovery.

Explore how to search your computer in Windows 7 using the start menu and Windows Explorer, including indexing and search locations for indexed versus non-indexed drives.

Explore the folder options dialog box, including the general, view, and search tabs, and learn how to search file names and contents using index locations or non-indexed locations.

Create and manage folders in various libraries, customize how we review files in Windows Explorer, edit and display metadata, and use multiple search options to locate content on the computer.

Explore device stage to work with and install locally attached devices, including printers, removable storage, and flash drives.

Navigate to devices and printers to learn how to manage hardware in Windows 7, including setup and basic configuration.

connect devices and install drivers to display a photo realistic taskbar icon of the exact device, such as a printer, which you can click for a thumbnail or full screen.

The device stage window provides easy access to frequently used commands, while Windows downloads updated device stage content automatically to keep the driver and device up to date.

Explore the devices and printers window as a central hub for frequently used devices, such as printers and removable drives, with device stage showing photorealistic icons.

Troubleshoot devices effectively by ensuring internet connectivity, checking for optional updates, enabling automatic updates, and installing latest drivers from the manufacturer.

Explore how to view and manage devices and printers, update drivers, and safely eject hardware using device manager and standard Windows tools.

Learn how to add a printer in Windows 7 using the devices and printers wizard, install via the on-screen steps, and use the manufacturer's setup program if needed.

Learn how to change the default printer by right-clicking the preferred printer and selecting set as default, and navigate printers or open properties to adjust settings.

Install and manage printers in Windows 7 by adding a local printer, sharing it on a network, setting defaults, and controlling the print queue, including pausing, printing, and deleting jobs.

Explore device stage, learn how it lists and configures devices, and review managing printers, including how to set a printer as your default.

Learn how to back up and restore files and folders, use BitLocker To Go to encrypt removable drives, and troubleshoot issues by recording steps and sharing with support.

Explore file protection in Windows 7 and learn how this feature safeguards data as part of the operating system's new features.

Back up your files to another location and restore them. Create a system image as a snapshot to recover on a computer, and repair Windows with a system repair disk.

Learn to set up and schedule backups in Windows 7, view backup details and contents, and perform restores including recovering system settings.

Configure automatic backups through the system and security control panel, set up backup with administrator password, choose items and destination, and set the backup schedule.

Schedule a backup from the control panel by selecting a destination (network share or drives) and choosing what to back up, including data files, new users, and instructors libraries.

Use the backup and restore window to restore files by browsing for folders, selecting items to restore, choosing original or a specified destination, and clicking restore.

Access the backup and restore utility in the control panel and select a backup. Restore the notes folder from documents to its original location.

Encrypt removable storage devices with BitLocker To Go, ensuring only authorized users can access them if the device is lost or stolen.

Explore troubleshooting techniques within Windows 7: new features, and learn practical steps to diagnose and resolve common issues.

Explore the troubleshooting window in control panel, with categories such as programs, hardware and sound, network and internet, system and security, plus links to run programs and configure devices.

Learn to troubleshoot Windows 7 issues through the control panel across categories and see a demo of troubleshooters, including addressing the Windows Experience Index not computed and adjusting display settings.

Use the program compatibility wizard in Control Panel to run programs made for previous versions of Windows, select the program, try recommended settings, test, and confirm if it’s fixed.

Capture all user steps and screenshots with the Windows 7 problem steps recorder, replay the issue, and email the recording to share detailed steps that show the error.

Demo the problem steps recorder (PSR) to record and report issues by capturing clicks, administrator prompts, and saving a compressed file for sending to support.

Back up and restore files and folders, and capture system state snapshots; encrypt removable media with BitLocker To Go. Practice troubleshooting and documenting steps for older programs compatibility and support.

Explore Internet Explorer 8 and its new features, focusing on security and privacy settings, managing browsing data, and private browsing to leave no temporary files behind.

Explore Internet Explorer security and privacy within Windows 7, including best practices to protect data and browsing safety.

Understand how the smart screen filter protects you from phishing and evolving threats in Windows 7, with options to enable or disable it and to report suspicious websites.

Set up the smart screen filter to make it available, using a simple link, then turn it on or off as needed.

Explore Internet Explorer security zones, including the internet zone, local internet zone, trusted sites, and restricted sites, to customize safety as you browse.

Configure the smart screen filter in Internet Explorer by opening Tools > Internet Options, selecting the Security tab, choosing trusted sites, and enabling or disabling the smart screen filter.

Learn how to clear your browsing history on public computers, choose what to preserve, and delete temporary files, cookies, form data, and passwords.

Learn delete browsing history options and manage what Windows 7 stores, including temporary internet files, cookies, history, form data, passwords, and private filtering data.

Learn to change temporary files settings in Internet Explorer via Internet Options under Tools, including how often the files update, moving the temporary area location, and viewing what’s stored locally.

Adjust how your browser caches temporary internet files by deciding when to check for newer versions, how many days pages stay in history, and where they're stored.

Use in private browsing to erase traces, with session data and convenience features disabled; launch from the safety menu or new tab and end by closing Internet Explorer.

Explore how InPrivate Filtering lets you control third-party data collection by tracking how sites record and share your browsing, with per-session enablement via the safety menu.

Enable the smart screen filter and explore Internet Explorer security options to keep browsing safe. Inspect trusted sites, security zones, privacy settings, and the handling of scripts and ActiveX.

Explore how to customize security and privacy settings in Internet Explorer 8, review browsing data, and learn about in private browsing and in private filtering features.

Discover Windows 7's new features, including the updated desktop, the start menu and taskbar customization, libraries, and device stage, plus improved file protection and Internet Explorer 8 security.