by Artemis

Created on: July 21, 2010

After making a transition to Windows 7, I found many new things in Windows 7 and therefore have to adjust for the better.

1. Simplicity in driver installation. Windows 7 recognizes many new hardware, so that driver installation from CD that comes from the hardware is usually unnecessary. If Windows 7 doesn't have the driver, as long as the computer is connected to the Internet, Win7 will download the driver automatically. And for added information, all drivers originally written for Windows Vista is completely supported in Windows 7. So, it's a bit different to the time when Windows XP drivers can't be used in Windows Vista. This time, the transition should be seamless.

2. We can forget the old days when we have different hot keys to switch views from laptop to projector. Mine uses Fn+F5, while some friends may use Fn+F7, Fn+F3, Fn+F9 and many other combination. Now, it's done by Windows through a new hot key that everyone has: Win+P.

3. When copying or downloading large files that takes some time to complete, we can see progress right from the task bar button of the application itself. So, no more peeking just to know how far it has gone.

4. Wi-Fi is now handled by Windows 7. Yes, WinXP could do it just as well. But back then, many laptop manufacturer included their own software and overrode Windows XP Wireless Network Settings. Now, it's all the same across laptops.

5. Want to minimize all other windows except the one we currently work on? Just shake this windows. Want to restore other windows back? Shake this one again. This feature is called "Aero Shake".

6. Often works in MS Word, Excel and some other applications that are capable of saving and opening documents? If you do, just like WinXP onwards, those files will be listed at the left-hand side of the start menu. In Win7, each application will have its own "Recent Documents". Just point the mouse cursor to the small arrow at the right of the application name, a long list of recent documents will appear. So, Win7 is rich in recent documents, and don't be surprised to have more than 100 of "recent documents" from different applications.

7. Vista's Sidebar Gadget is now Desktop Gadget. Quite the same thing, except this time, the gadgets may be placed anywhere, not limited to the sidebar, since the sidebar is short lived. There's no more sidebar in Win7.

8. Want to neatly work with 2 windows (or applications)? Drag one to the left, Windows will resize the window to fill the entire half left screen. Then, drag another to the right, Windows will resize it to fill the half right screen. So, you have 2 windows neatly tiled on your screen.

Those 8 points above should be more than enough to complete your transition from Windows XP and Windows Vista to the new Windows 7. Wish you a nice computing experience with Windows 7.

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