What's different in Windows 7

Windows 7 is the latest operating system from Microsoft.  An operating system is the software that allows interaction between all the programs you use and the hardware, such as the printer, mouse and keyboard.  When you use a computer with Windows 7 you may notice that a some things look a bit different.

Some people will also find they have different versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to the older ones they were used to.  See the University's Office 2007 web pages for more information and self-help guides.

• Finding programs
• Customise the Start menu
  • Pin programs to the Start menu
  • Jump Lists
• Taskbar changes
• Viewing the desktop
• Finding your files
  • Networked files
  • Personal File Space
  • Map a network drive
• Introducing libraries
• Other new features to try

Finding programs

To find a program, click on the Start button (the icon in the bottom left corner of the screen) to open the Start menu.  This lists recently used programs.  To access other programs click on All Programs at the bottom of the Start menu.  Many programs are grouped into folders to make them easier to find, rather than having to search through a long list.  Click on an appropriate folder to find the required program.

Tip: The quickest way to find a program is to type all or part of its name into the Search programs and files box on the Start menu, wait a couple of seconds and then you'll see the program listed on the Start menu.

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Customise the Start menu

Pin programs to the Start menu

You can personalize the Start menu so it lists the programs you use most often. To do this, find the program you want to add (eg via All Programs on the Start menu) then right click on it and choose Pin to Start Menu.  That program will now be pinned to the top of your Start menu.

 

You can also add program shortcuts to the Taskbar (the strip between the Start menu and the clock).  To do this, use the method above, and choose Pin to Taskbar. 

If you change your mind, simply right click on a pinned program and choose to ‘unpin’ it.

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Jump Lists

Jump Lists, new to Windows 7, are shortcuts to recently used files, organised by program.  They appear on the Start menu and the Taskbar.

To access a Jump List on the Start menu, click the arrow next to a program name and a list of recently used files will appear (Jump Lists are only available once you have opened a file in a package at least once).  Click on a file name to open it.

Jump Lists also appear when you right click a program icon on the Taskbar.

Pin files to a Jump List

Regularly used files can be pinned to a Jump List so that they are always easily accessible, regardless of how many other files you have opened since.  To pin a file to a Jump List, hover over the file in the list of Recent files and click on the drawing pin icon to Pin to this list.

Viewing the Desktop

The shortcut to the desktop has moved to the other side of the screen.  Click on the bar next to the clock in the bottom right corner to go to the desktop.  Note that if you just hover over this bar, you can preview the desktop without going to it.

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Finding your files

Networked files

Windows 7 has renamed and reorganised some of the folders that you might be used to seeing when organising your files.  If you can't see the networked file locations you're used to, click on the link to Computer on the left hand menu (eg when you open or save a file).  This is like the old My Computer folder.  If you are unsure where to save your files or can't see the networked folders you expect, speak to your IT support staff.

Map a network drive

When using a university PC many of your network file locations should have been set up for you.  If you do need to map a new network drive, double click on the Computer folder to open it and then click on the Map network drive option.

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Introducing Libraries

When you save or open a file, or look in Windows Explorer, the file management options are different to previous operating systems you may be used to.  Windows 7 has introduced Libraries as a new way of managing files from more than one location on your computer in one place.  Libraries do not store files/folders as such, rather they store links to files and folders which might be physically stored in a number of different places.

When you save a file at work, always browse to the correct network folder via the Computer folder, rather than saving via libraries, to ensure that you are saving your files in the right place.

More information about Libraries is available online.

Other new features to try

Windows 7 comes with new features you can try, some of which are outlined below. 

Windows Snap

It is often helpful to be able to see 2 windows side by side, eg a Word document and an Excel spreadsheet.  Use the Restore Down icon (between the minimise and the close package icons) to reduce the size of a full screen window, then drag the title bar to the left or right of the screen.  When your cursor hits the edge of the screen, the window will resize to fit half the screen.  Drag another window to the opposite side to compare them.  More information about the other features of Windows Snap is available

Windows Flip

This is an updated feature which was found in previous versions and allows you to scroll through all your open windows and switch to another one using the keyboard rather than the mouse.  Hold down the Alt key and press the Tab key to show thumbnails of all open windows.  Keep pressing the tab key to scroll through the different windows and release both keys when you find the window you want to bring to the front.

Windows Flip 3D

An alternative version of Windows Flip.  This shows a larger stack of open windows.  Hold down the Windows key on the keyboard and keep pressing the Tab key to scroll through the windows.

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