Browsing and working with your files and folder is easy with Windows 7 s new look Windows Explorer.

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Getting Started with Windows 7

In Windows 7, the desktop has been given an overhaul and makeover to introduce a clean new look. While the basic functionality remains the same, there are a few new navigation features to make using your computer easier and more intuitive.

Using the Taskbar

One of the biggest changes in the way you use Windows 7 has got to be the new Windows 7 Taskbar. You can now access more programs than ever with a single click. The taskbar displays an icon for each application that is currently running. When you rest your mouse over an icon, you’ll see thumbnail images of your open files – click on an image to jump directly to a file.

Pinning a program to the taskbar

The taskbar also serves as a dock for your favourite programs. Just like tacking notes on a bulletin board, you can use Windows 7’s Pin feature to keep the programs close at hand.

Click on Start and All Programs, right-click on the application you want to pin, and then select Pin to Taskbar.

In this example, Paint has been pinned.

You can change the order your programs appear in on the taskbar simply by dragging an icon to another location.

Jump List

Jump Lists are designed to make it easier to find what you want and perform common

operations associated with an application.

To access a Jump List, right click on any Taskbar program icon and its Jump List appears.

What you see depends on the program. For

example, the Jump List might provide quick access to commands or display shortcuts to recently opened files.

Internet Explorer’s Jump List has

Working with files and folders

Browsing and working with your files and folder is easy with Windows 7’s new look Windows

Explorer.

To open Explorer, click on the icon on the taskbar.

Using copy and paste

The navigator pane on the left displays locations such as your C: drive, network drives and other devices such as DVD drives.

Move to the file or folder you want to copy, and click once to select it. Do not open it.

Tip: Want to copy more than one file (or folder)? Hold down the Ctrl key on

your keyboard and select any files and folders you want to copy. Release the Ctrl key when you’re complete. All highlighted files and folders will be copied.

Click on Organize on the menu bar and select Copy. (You can also right click on the file or folder and select

Copy.)

Navigate to the location you want to copy to, click on Organize and select Paste.

Modifying the Explorer window

You can modify the view of the Explorer window Navigation pane Content area

Current location (address bar)

3 You can also change what you see in the Explorer’s Details pane on the right by

clicking on the Change your view button on the toolbar.

Explorer menu bar

As part of several changes in Windows 7, the menu bar in Windows Explorer is not visible. To make the hidden Explorer menu bar visible, just click on the Organize button in

the top left corner of Windows Explorer. Go to the Layout menu option and choose

Menu bar.

Working with Libraries

Libraries are new in Windows 7. You can use libraries simply as a store for files and folders. However, you can also use them to gather folders from different locations and display them as a single collection, without moving or copying them from where they are.

When you open Windows Explorer, you will see a Libraries section in the navigation pane. The Documents library displays the files and folders in your Home drive. You can use Local Documents to store files in your C: drive.

Adding files and folders to a library

You can use a library simply as a folder, i.e. you can save or copy files directly into it. You can also use Windows7’s include

feature to display a folder from another location in a library. For example, to add a folder containing images to the Pictures library, click on Pictures in the navigation pane, then click the Includes link under the library title.

In the Locations box, click the Add button. Browse to the folder, then click the Include

folder button.

Note: This essentially creates a link to the folder from the library; it does not move or copy the

original folder.

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Navigating with Aero

The Windows 7 interface (Aero) provides some useful navigational improvements, mixing graphics with handy new ways to manage and personalise your desktop. Specific features are

Peek, Shake and Snap.

Peek

Peek is a valuable feature of Aero. Clicking Show Desktop at the end of the Taskbar,

when open Windows are not maximised, makes them transparent so that you can see

the icons on your desktop.

Shake

Shake automatically resizes the window of your choice. By shaking a window (dragging back and

forth) with the mouse, all other windows will minimise, while the window that is being shaken stays active on the screen. When the window is shaken again, all minimised windows are restored.

Aero Peek showing thedesktop

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Snap

You can use Snap to resize open windows quickly. Drag a window to the top of the screen to maximise it. Drag it down to restore it to its original size.

You can also tile 2 windows by dragging one to the right and the other to the left.

Search

You can use the search box on the Start menu to find files, folders, programs, and e-mail messages stored on your computer.

To find an item using the Start menu click the Start button, and then type a word or part of a word in the search box. You'll instantly see a list of relevant files on your PC. Keywords are

highlighted to make it easier to scan the list.

Few people store all their files in one place these days, so Windows 7 will search external hard drives, networked PCs, and libraries.

Attaching a printer

There are several ways to connect a printer to your computer. Which option you choose depends on the device itself

Network Printer

When adding a network printer at the office, you'll usually need the name of the printer or the printer queue name. If you can't find it, contact your network administrator.

Click the Start button , and from the Start menu, click Devices and Printers.

Click Add a printer, and in the Add Printer wizard, click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth

printer.

In the list of available printers, select the one you want to use, and then click Next. (If your computer is connected to a network, only printers listed in Active Directory for your domain are displayed in the list.)

If prompted, install the printer driver on your computer by clicking Install driver. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

For users on Supported Desktop machines, network printers can be accessed from the U drive.

U\ISG\Printers

A Printers folder has been set up for each college or support unit, and is structured so you can browse to the printer for the building or unit you are in. Right-click on the printer you wish to access and from the menu displayed select Connect.

Snipping Tool

Snipping Tool can be used to capture and

save a screen shot of any object on your screen.

• Free Form Snip: Draw an irregular line, such as a circle or a triangle around an object. • Rectangular Snip: Draw a precise line by

dragging the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.

• Window Snip: Select a window, such as a browser window or dialog box that you want to capture.

• Full-screen Snip: Capture the entire screen when you select this type of Snip.

To Capture a Snip

• Open Snipping Tool by clicking the Start button, and All Programs, then select

Accessories, and click Snipping Tool.

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Keyboard shortcuts

Start Menu

+ <E> My Computer <Ctrl> + <Shift> + <N> Create new Folder

+ <-> or + <+> Zoom

+ <P> Connect to projector + <Tab> Flip 3D

Windows Management

+ <space> Peek at Desktop + <D> Show/Hide Desktop + <M> Minimize all Windows

+

+ < > Minimise/Restore

Taskbar