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On October 22nd, three years
after Vista's release, Microsoft is releasing a new desktop operating
system: Windows 7. The Beta version of this OS was released
in January and has received great reviews from those testing the
product. It is said to have fixed all
the bugs that Vista had and additional improvements as well.
Windows 7 was designed to run faster and more efficiently than its
predecessors, using fewer resources and less memory.
Features
The most noticeable visual change is the
task bar. Open programs are represented by big square icons, that
you can hover over (Aero Peek) to get a glimpse of what you have open.
Instead of the Quick Launch bar, you can pin your favorite programs to
the task bar. These taskbar items can be dragged and dropped into
the order you prefer.
You can also right-click on any of the
taskbar icons to get Jump Lists, which are basically shortcut
lists pertaining to the programs. For instance, Internet Explorer will
present shortcuts for your last visited sites and tasks, like opening a
new tab, while Microsoft Office will list last opened, access and used
document and files are listed.
Aero Snap
You can use Snap to arrange and resize
windows with a simple mouse movement. By dragging one document to the
left, it automatically resized to fill the left half of your monitor.
Drag another window to the right, it resizes and fills in the right half
of your monitor, allowing you to compare the two in a matter of seconds.
Great for comparing documents, and moving files between two windows.
Aero Shake
Using Aero Shake, you can
quickly minimize all open windows on the desktop, with the exception of
one. To do this, just click the title bar of the window you want
to keep open, and shake back and forth, and all other open windows will
be minimized. To restore, shake the window.
Aero Peek
This feature is activated by hovering
over a button on the far right of the taskbar. It allows you to
quickly preview the gadgets and icons on the desktop without minimizing
all your windows. Move the mouse off the button and all of your
open applications are maximized.
Devices and Printers
A revamped device management
window takes much of the confusion out of connecting
your new gadgets. Devices like hard drives, thumb drives
and webcams will mostly be automatically detected, and
show up under this pane alongside other connected items
like mice, keyboards and Wi-Fi adapters. Manufacturers
will be able to customize the windows with specific
images and custom interfaces.
Windows 7 device management
Desktop Search
The new global search feature will
undoubtedly become the new user’s best friend. It’s
available as soon as you open the start menu and
displays results as soon as you start pouring in text,
letter-by-letter. Relevant documents are grouped
in categories and are hyperlinked to easy access.
The search field in "Files and Libraries" works the same
way.
Other great features are: the ability
to edit screenshots, place virtual sticky notes on the
desktop, a Startup Repair feature to troubleshoot
issues, and the ability to detect your location and
automatically select the correct printer, which is great
for laptops that are used at the office and at home.
Give our office a
call if you are interested in upgrading to WIndows 7.
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New Operating System
Microsoft's new OS for the pc/laptop is being released in
October /
Windows 7
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