Features and Functions New in Windows 7
Here is a list of features and functions that Microsoft introduced in Windows 7:
Action Center: Users can see the alerts Windows 7 shows, which is a handy way to control annoying UAC messages from the desktop while not having to disable the feature.
Aero Shake: When you use Aero Shake to click and shake one open window, all the other windows on the desktop minimize. Aero Snap: Drag a window to an edge of the display, and it will automatically maximize. Drag it to an edge again to minimize it. Aero Peek: Point to the right edge of the taskbar to watch open windows turn transparent, revealing all your hidden icons and gadgets. Aero Templates, Themes: New backgrounds and themes were created for Windows 7 including free additional themes downloadable from Microsoft. Device Stage: Device Stage keeps track of and helps users interact with the compatible devices connected to a Windows 7 computer. You can view device status and run common tasks from a single window. Domain Join: Business users quickly connect to different office networks. Gadgets (improved): The Sidebar has been eliminated. Gadgets can be placed anywhere, and new gadgets have more functionality.
HomeGroup: Users can quickly create home networks between computers using Windows 7. Jump Lists: Right-click a program icon and see a list of recently used files that use that program.
Libraries: Make it easier to find, work with, and organize documents, music, pictures, and videos scattered across your PC or network with libraries. Location-Aware Printing: If you travel between offices or home and office, location-aware printing is handy. Windows 7 remembers which network and printer you use and automatically switches the default printer to match the one you last used. Multiplayer Games: Microsoft revived three XP multiplayer games: Internet Checkers, Internet Spades, and Internet Backgammon. You can also access multiplayer games like Roblox. Networking (improved): The improved taskbar widget allows for quick network connection and configuration. Play To function: Right-click the music tracks want to hear and select Play To. Play To works with other PCs running Windows 7 and devices compliant with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) media standard. Performance (improved): Sleep mode reconnects with wireless networks, background processes are limited to those needed for currently used devices, faster desktop searching, and easier setup for external devices are all improvements. Taskbar: Pin favorite programs anywhere on the taskbar. Rearrange programs in any way you like by clicking and dragging. Point to a taskbar icon to see a thumbnail preview of open files or programs. Then, move your mouse over a thumbnail to preview the window full screen. Windows Media Center (improved): A few new features were added, and it integrates with Home Group.
Windows Media Player 12: This upgrade from version 11 plays the most popular audio and video formats including new support for 3GP, AAC, AVCHD, DivX, MOV, and Xvid. Windows Touch: Windows Touch supports computers with touch screens. Windows XP Mode: This mode allows an XP session of Windows to run so that business applications work within Windows 7. However, it does not work with most current Intel and some AMD-based computers.
