windows 7 enhancements

The Task bar

You can now "pin" your favorite programs anywhere on the taskbar for easy access. You can also rearrange them by clicking and dragging. The ‘show desktop’ button at the extreme right of the bar is also very useful, with options to view or access the desktop instantly.

Shake files!

If you have many windows open and want all but the one you are working on minimized, you simply need to grab the top of the window and shake it about! Also, thanks to Aero Peek technology, you can view thumbnails of open applications by mousing over its application button. If you mouse the thumbnail, the full corresponding window will come to the forefront, and all other windows will turn into transparent ‘glass sheets.’

Jumplists

This new feature gives you an application-wise view of a list of files you have recently accessed. You just need to right click the application icon on the task bar to view this list. Alternatively, drag the application button toward the desktop. This feature is also integrated into the Start Menu.

Snap to half

If you need to work on two documents simultaneously, simply drag your window to the left or right edge of the screen. The window will resize and snap to occupy one half of the screen. Repeat with the other window and they are locked next to each other. To maximize it again, drag the window to the top of the screen. The same effect can be achieved through keyboard shortcuts (Win + respective arrow keys).

Enable virtual wi-fi

Windows 7 includes a little-known new feature called Virtual Wi-Fi, which effectively turns your PC or laptop into a software-based router. Any other Wi-Fi-enabled devices within range - a desktop, laptop, an iPod perhaps - will "see" you as a new network and, once logged on, immediately be able to share your internet connection. This will only work if your wireless adapter driver supports it, though.

Homegroup networking

It is now a lot easier to share documents – you just need to use the ‘Homegroup’ wizard, and check the default folders you would like to share. You will be given a passcode that needs to be entered on other computers on the same network to share the files. Also, Windows Media Player allows you to stream music directly to another computer on the network. The only catch is that only computers running Windows 7 can join a Homegroup.  

Finally, here are some quick keyboard shortcuts to help you along with your transition to Windows 7:

• Alt+P
  Display/ hide the Explorer preview pane
• Windows Logo+G
  Display gadgets in front of other windows
• Windows Logo++ (plus key)
  Zoom in, where appropriate
• Windows Logo+- (minus key)
  Zoom out, where appropriate
• Windows Logo+Up
  Maximise the current window
• Windows Logo+Left
  Snap to the left hand side of the screen
• Windows Logo+Right
  Snap to the right hand side of the screen
• Windows Logo+Home
  Minimise/ restore everything except the current window