Microsoft Windows 7 User Manual
Welcome to
Windows 7
1 1
You told us what you wanted. We listened.
This Windows
the new and improved features that will
help deliver the one thing you said you
wanted the most:
® 7 Product Guide highlights
Your PC, simpli ed.
3 3
Contents
INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS 7 6
DESIGNING WINDOWS 7 8
Market Trends that Inspired Windows 7 9
WINDOWS 7 EDITIONS 10
Windows 7 Starter 11
Windows 7 Home Basic 11
Windows 7 Home Premium 12
Windows 7 Professional 12
Windows 7 Enterprise / Windows 7 Ultimate 13
Windows Anytime Upgrade 14
Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack 14
Windows 7 Editions Comparison 15
GETTING STARTED WITH WINDOWS 7 16
Upgrading a PC to Windows 7 16
WHAT’S NEW IN WINDOWS 7 20
Top Features for You 20
Top Features for IT Professionals 22
Application and Device Compatibility 23
WINDOWS 7 FOR YOU 24
WINDOWS 7 FOR YOU: SIMPLIFIES EVERYDAY TASKS 28
Simple to Navigate 28
Easier to Find Things 35
Easy to Browse the Web 38
Easy to Connect PCs and Manage Devices 41
Easy to Communicate and Share 47
WINDOWS 7 FOR YOU: WORKS THE WAY YOU WANT 50
Speed, Reliability, and Responsiveness 50
More Secure 55
Compatible with You 62
Better Troubleshooting and Problem Solving 66
WINDOWS 7 FOR YOU: MAKES NEW THINGS POSSIBLE 70
Media the Way You Want It 70
Work Anywhere 81
New Ways to Engage 84
WINDOWS 7 FOR IT PROFESSIONALS 88
WINDOWS 7 FOR IT PROFESSIONALS:
MAKE PEOPLE PRODUCTIVE ANYWHERE 92
Remove Barriers to Information 92
Access Information from Anywhere 95
WINDOWS 7 FOR IT PROFESSIONALS:
MANAGE RISK THROUGH ENHANCED SECURITY AND CONTROL 100
Protect Data on PCs and Devices 100
Protect Workers and Infrastructure 102
Builds on Windows Vista Security Foundation 103
WINDOWS 7 FOR IT PROFESSIONALS:
REDUCE COSTS BY STREAMLINING PC MANAGEMENT 106
Easier Deployment 107
Keep PCs Running Smoothly 110
Better Support for Client Virtualization 115
WINDOWS 7 FOR IT PROFESSIONALS:
MICROSOFT DESKTOP OPTIMIZATION PACK 116
Microsoft Application Virtualization 117
Microsoft Asset Inventory Service 118
Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management 119
Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 120
Microsoft System Center Desktop Error Monitoring 120
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization 121
WINDOWS 7 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE LOGO PROGRAMS 122
Windows 7 Logo for PCs 123
Windows Starter Logo 123
Compatible with Windows 7 Logo 123
RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 124
Windows 7 System Requirements 124
HOW TO FIND MORE INFORMATION 126
Resources for Everyone 126
Resources for IT Pros 127
Resources for Device Manufacturers 127
Resources for Software Developers 127
APPENDIX A: EXPANDED EDITIONS FEATURE COMPARISON 128
APPENDIX B: FEATURE COMPARISON CHART 131
APPENDIX C: NEW KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS 134
APPENDIX D: INSTALLATION OPTIONS FOR UPGRADING TO WINDOWS 7 135
INDEX 136
DISCLAIMER 139
PCs are an integral part of the daily lives of billions of people around the world. They are
used for more functions than anyone could have imagined just a few years ago, and as
PCs become more deeply woven into our everyday lives, our expectations keep increasing.
With Windows® 7, you told us what you expect from a PC. And we listened.
In Windows 7 we’ve developed hundreds of little improvements and a few big ones that
add up, frankly, to a whole lot less. Less waiting, less clicks, less hassle connecting to devices,
less power consumed and less overall complexity.
And with less of what you don’t need, your PC running Windows 7 will help you do more
by making everyday tasks simpler and easier. Windows 7 is clean and uncluttered, with
a streamlined interface that puts the tasks you want to accomplish right at your nger-
tips. You have more control over where to put the things you use most often. Managing
multiple windows is easier. And we’ve improved search so that you can nd the information
you want quickly.
We’ve made it easier to add PCs to your home network, share les between networked
PCs, and use and manage other connected devices like cell phones, cameras, and MP3
players. Even browsing the Internet is easier thanks to improvements in Windows Internet
Explorer® 8.
You asked for improvements in the basic fundamentals like performance, responsiveness,
safety, reliability, and compatibility. We designed Windows 7 to start up, shut down, and
resume from sleep quickly so you don’t have to wait as long to get stuff done. We’ve
reduced the number of system prompts that can interrupt your day. And you’ll have greater
control over what your kids can do on the PC. Even better, you’ll nd innovative ways to
safeguard your personal data—all while getting more ways to personalize your PC and
make it truly your own.
With Windows 7, we’ve also made new things possible. You’ll nd fresh ways to enjoy and
share your music, photos, video, and recorded TV when and where you want regardless of
how or where it’s stored. Windows 7 gives you more ways to access your data and work
productively from any location including making it easier to connect to wireless networks.
And we’ve added new ways to interact with your PC through touch-enabled screens.
In the enterprise, the role of the PC is evolving just as quickly as it is in the home. With
Windows 7, IT professionals have more ways to help their people get more done—more
securely and from more locations—while still maintaining control over increasingly complex
computing environments.
Welcome to Windows 7.
7 7
Designing Windows 7
More than a billion people use Microsoft® Windows every day. You use it
in signi cant ways, like earning a living. You use it in personally meaningful
ways, such as using a webcam to visit with a faraway loved one. And you
experience it in small ways, like playing your favorite song or whiling away
a few minutes with a game. Though each situation might be different, your
satisfaction relies on one thing: that your PC works, plain and simple.
In designing Windows 7, we focused on creating a better experience,
regardless of what you do on your PC. And although we’ve made some
architectural changes in Windows 7, we’ve focused mainly on building
upon the platform improvements of the Windows Vista
Server
By de nition, a great PC experience means seamless operation across all of your hardware, software, and
devices. We want to make sure you have a broad choice for the programs and devices you use with your
PCs. Today, the Windows Vista Compatibility Center lists more than 10,500 applications and 9,500 devices
with a compatible download or driver version. In most cases, the same software and hardware that works
on Windows Vista will also work on Windows 7.
Furthermore, we were careful to design Windows 7 so that the investments that our partners and our
enterprise customers have made in Windows Vista will continue to deliver great value as they upgrade
to Windows 7. We’ve worked closely with our partners from the earliest planning phase. Before writing
code, we talked to original equipment manufacturers, the companies that make PCs. Before de ning
application programming interfaces, we talked to developers. And before adding support for new
devices, we worked with device manufacturers to understand how next-generation hardware could
create new scenarios.
® 2008 operating systems.
® and Windows
Market Trends that Inspired Windows 7
As we planned Windows 7, we took a hard look at how the world of technology is changing and what
that means for you. In doing so, we identied some key themes that inuenced our engineering design
efforts and helped us to focus on where we could deliver the highest value to you.
• Hardware advances. Since Tablet PCs with touch screens were introduced more than ve years
ago, a whole range of new devices has made touch technology more popular. Similarly, the
reduced cost of random access memory (RAM) has led many more people to use 64-bit proces-
sors. Other advances include solid-state drives (SSDs), faster wireless networking, enhanced
Bluetooth connectivity, multicore central processing units (CPUs), and powerful new graphics
accelerators.
• Expanded diversity and sophistication of devices. The type and range of devices continue
to expand. Nearly 1,500 new Plug and Play devices are identied each day, with more than 4
million expected by 2010. At the same time, devices like MP3 players and mobile phones store
more information and offer more features than ever before.
• Growth of mobile computing. In the United States, portable computers are becoming more
prevalent than desktops, and we’re seeing a growing variety of them, like small notebook PCs,
ultra-mobile PCs, and Tablet PCs.
Designing Windows 7
• More connection options. People want to get online easily and stay online using whatever
Internet connection is available. Furthermore, people want to be able to access work and home
information, no matter where they are.
• Connecting multiple PCs in the home. Today, more than half of U.S. households have more
than one PC—yet setting up a home network can still be a challenge. For many people, it’s even
more difcult to manage, nd, and share information across multiple PCs.
• More digital media. People now have access to more types of digital media than ever, includ-
ing music, video, TV, photos, and an ever-increasing amount of rich content on the Web. This
media needs to be easier to nd, use, and share—digital media should be accessible through
more devices without any added complexity, regardless of whether people are listening to music
on wireless headphones or watching movies on a big-screen TV.
• A rapidly evolving Web. Browsing the Web remains the single most popular activity on the
PC, with people spending more time—and doing more things—online. They want a Web
browsing experience that supports all that the Web has to offer, with everyday tasks and
content at their ngertips. They want easier ways to connect with friends and interact with
social networks. And they also want protection from hackers, malicious software (malware),
and other Internet-based threats.
• Increased focus on costs. Although businesses often adopt new operating systems for better
security and quantiable cost savings, application and device compatibility can prevent them
from moving forward. IT professionals need to know that adopting new technologies will make
running and managing PCs easier, help increase data security, and extend the investments they
have already made in existing applications and devices
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Windows 7 Editions
Windows® 7 Enterprise/Windows® 7 Ultimate
Windows
®
7 Enterprise/Windows
®
7 Ultimate
Windows® 7 Professional
Windows® 7 Home Premium
Windows
®
7 Home Premium
Windows® 7 Home Basic
Windows
®
7 Home Basic
Windows® 7 Starter
Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate are no-compromise
editions for people who want everything Windows 7 has to offer
*
.
Windows 7 Professional is everything you need for work and home.
This business-focused edition is great for small- and medium-sized
companies, and people who have networking, backup, and security
needs and multiple PCs or servers.
Windows 7 Home Premium is the best entertainment experience on
your PC. This edition provides full functionality on the latest hardware,
easy ways to connect, and a visually rich environment.
Windows 7 Home Basic makes the things you do every day faster and
easier. This edition is designed for value PCs in emerging markets.
Windows 7 Starter Edition is the entry-level edition for small notebook
PCs and other PCs with limited hardware. It makes using your PC simpler.
Different people expect different things from their PCs, which is why we offer
multiple editions of Windows 7. And because your needs can change over
time, we have designed Windows 7 so that you can move up to editions
with more features, without giving up the features you already have.
*Note: Windows 7 Enterprise has the same features as Ultimate, and also
includes volume activation capabilities. It is available only to customers with
a Software Assurance Agreement.
Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7 Starter makes small notebook PCs and other PCs with limited hardware easier to use because
it puts less between you and what you want to do—less waiting, less clicking, and less hassle connecting
to networks. Windows 7 Starter is designed to meet basic needs and combines the latest in reliability
and responsiveness with the familiarity of Windows. Key features that you will nd in the Starter edition
include the following::
• Broad application and device compatibility
• Safety, reliability, and responsiveness
• Ability to join a homegroup
Windows 7 Editions
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Basic is an entry-level edition that will be offered in a number of emerging markets
to customers with value priced PCs. Windows 7 Home Basic makes it faster and easier to get to the
programs and documents you use most often, so you can spend less time looking and more time doing
the things you want to do. In addition to the benets found in Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic includes
the following:
• Live thumbnail previews
• Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing)
• Ability to extend your screen across multiple monitors
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Windows 7 Home Premium
The best edition for consumers, Windows 7 Home Premium provides the best entertainment experience on your PC.
You’ll nd easy ways to connect to other PCs and devices, all in a visually rich environment that makes everyday use
simpler and more engaging. With Home Premium you can create a homegroup to share all of your favorite photos,
videos, and music with other networked PCs running Windows 7. And you’ll be able to watch shows for free when
and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media® Center.* In addition to the features in Windows 7 Starter
and Home Basic, you’ll also get the following::
• Advanced window navigation and personalization with several new Microsoft Aero® desktop improvements
• The ability to create a homegroup, so you can easily share les between your networked PCs and devices
• The ability to watch Internet TV and record TV on your PC with Windows Media Center
• Remote Media Streaming and improved support for different media formats
*Note: For some aspects of Windows Media Center functionality, a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required. Internet access is
required. Free Internet TV content varies by geography. Some content may require additional fees.
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Professional has all the features you need for business, along with all the great media and entertainment
features of Windows 7 Home Premium. You’ll be able to run many Windows XP productivity programs natively in
Windows 7 or by using Windows XP Mode*, and recover your data easily with automatic backups to your home or
business network. You’ll also be able to connect to company networks easily and more securely. In addition to the
features in Windows 7 Home Premium, you’ll also get the following:
• Domain Join, which gives you the ability to join a managed Windows Server network
• Advanced Backup and Restore to help you back up your entire system to a home or business network,
and Encrypted File System to help protect your data
• Windows XP Mode* for running older productivity applications that require Windows XP
• Location Aware Printing, which helps you set different default printers for your home and work networks
*Microsoft recommends 2 GB of memory, and an additional 15 GB of hard disk space per virtual environment, to run Windows XP Mode.
Windows XP Mode requires either OEM pre-installation or post-purchase installation of Windows XP Mode (which runs on Windows 7
Professional or Ultimate) and a virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC.Windows Virtual PC requires a processor capable of
hardware virtualization, with Intel-VT and AMD-V features enabled.Both Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC can be downloaded
from www.windows.com/business/downloads. For more information on system requirements, go to www.microsoft.com/virtual-pc.
Windows 7 Enterprise / Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate are the most versatile and powerful editions and are designed to
address the needs of both enterprise customers and consumers who want every feature of Windows 7. While the
features in these editions are the same, Windows 7 Enterprise includes volume activation capabilities and is only
available to customers with a Microsoft Software Assurance Agreement.
Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate help make you productive anywhere, enhance security and
control, and streamline PC management. They also offer remarkable ease of use with the entertainment
features of Home Premium and the business features of Professional, plus the exibility to work in many differ-
ent languages. Quite simply, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate include everything Windows 7 has
to offer.
Windows 7 Editions
In addition to the previously mentioned features, these editions include the following:
• Microsoft BitLocker™ and BitLocker To Go™ drive encryption and data protection on internal and external
drives and storage devices
• DirectAccess, which helps give you a more secure connection to your corporate network over the Internet
• Microsoft BranchCache™, which helps provide faster access to content from remote le and Web servers
at branch locations
• Microsoft AppLocker™, which helps prevent unauthorized software from running on workers’ PCs
• Enterprise Search Scopes, which make it easy to discover and search content on intranet portals
• Multilingual user interface packs, which let you work in any of 35 languages
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Windows Anytime Upgrade
Sometimes you want to be able to do more with your PC. That’s why we’ve made it easier for you to
move from one edition of Windows to the next. For example, you may have purchased a small notebook
PC with Windows 7 Starter but decide soon after that you want to customize your desktop or create
a homegroup. With Windows Anytime Upgrade, you can add features to Windows 7 in as few as 10
minutes. Upgrading from one edition of Windows 7 to another with more features is easy and quick, and
you’ll keep your programs, les, and settings.
SPECIAL NOTE:
In the EEA/EU (including Croatia and Switzerland) and Korea, Microsoft will ship versions of these editions that do not include
certain features.
“N” editions (for example, Windows 7 Home Premium N) do not include Windows Media Player and related technologies such as
Windows Media Center and Windows DVD Maker (distribution in EEA/EU only).
“KN” editions (for example, Windows 7 Home Premium KN) will not include Windows Media Player and related technologies such as
Windows Media Center and Windows DVD Maker (distribution in Korea only).
“K” editions (for example, Windows 7 Home Premium K) are the Korean language versions of the products, which contain links
added to the Programs menu that go to Web sites that contain links to download competing media players and instant messaging
software (distributed worldwide).
Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack
Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance is a dynamic desktop solution available to
Software Assurance customers for use with Windows 7. It helps reduce application deployment costs,
enables delivery of applications as services, and allows for better management and control of enterprise
desktop environments. Technologies provided in the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack include:
• Microsoft Application Virtualization
• Microsoft Asset Inventory Service
• Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management
• Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset
• Microsoft System Center Desktop Error Monitoring
• Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization
Windows 7 Editions Comparison
This table summarizes the key differences between the editions:
Key Features
Starter Home Premium Professional Enterprise/Ultimate
Windows Taskbar and Jump Lists
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Windows 7 Editions
Internet Explorer 8
Join a homegroup
Home media streaming,
including Play To ^
Aero Glass and improved
desktop navigation
Windows Media Center^ and
Internet TV ¹
Create a homegroup
Windows XP Mode
Domain Join and Group Policy
controls
Advanced Backup and Restore
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓
✓ ✓
✓ ✓
✓
DirectAccess
Multilingual User Interface Packs
A more detailed comparison of features in each edition can be found in Appendix A.
^These features are not available in box for “N” or “KN” edition versions.
¹ Internet access is required. Free Internet TV content varies by geography. Some content may require additional fees.
Note: Windows Home Basic (not shown here) is only available in emerging markets.
✓
✓
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Getting Started with Windows 7
Whether you’re buying a new PC or upgrading your current PC to Windows
7, you probably want to get through the setup process as quickly as
possible. Windows 7 is designed to get you up and running fast.
Windows 7 includes a new Getting Started experience that points you in
the right direction by highlighting some common tasks associated with
setting up your new PC. You’ll see Getting Started on the Start menu when
you rst use Windows 7. Use it to explore new features, transfer les from
your old PC, add user accounts, and more. Getting Started is there when
you need it and stays out of your way when you’re doing other things.
Upgrading a PC to Windows 7
We realize that upgrading to a newer version of Windows can sometimes be a challenge, depend-
ing on what operating system you are currently running, your familiarity with PCs in general, and your
current system con guration. With that in mind, we have designed Windows 7 for a smooth upgrade
from Windows Vista and have improved several tools that can aid you in the upgrade process. (See the
Windows Easy Transfer and Windows Upgrade Advisor sections that follow.)
Because Windows 7 is built on the same architectural platform as Windows Vista, the transition to
Windows 7 should be fairly smooth whether you’re using a 32-bit or 64-bit system, although you will
need to ensure that your PC has the latest service pack rst.* If your upgrade gets blocked due to incom-
patible or missing drivers, you may be able to load a new or updated driver from the Compatibility Center
and continue with the upgrade.
*Note: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released in April 2008. Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) was released in May
2009. While you can upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 with SP1, Microsoft recommends that you install both Service
Packs before upgrading.
Getting Started with Windows 7
Migrating from Windows XP
Windows 7 is best experienced on a new PC with the latest hardware, but if your computer meets the
minimum speci cations, you can install Windows 7 on a PC running Windows XP. Windows 7 must be
“custom” installed (also known as a “clean” installation) over Windows XP. Before beginning the installation,
you’ll need to copy your les and settings to an external drive. After Windows 7 has been installed you will
need to re-install all of your programs using the original installation media and then copy over the les
and settings you backed up to your external drive. Because Windows 7 requires a custom installation, we
strongly recommend that you get help with this process from your local computer service provider.
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
In general, if your PC can run Windows Vista, it can run Windows 7. But if you’re not running Windows
Vista, or are just not sure if your system is ready to run Windows 7, there’s an easy way to check. Just use
the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. You’ll get a report telling you if your PC can run Windows 7 and if there
are any known compatibility issues with your programs or hardware, like printers or scanners. If there’s a
x, you’ll get suggestions for next steps. For example, it will let you know if you need an updated driver
for your printer and show you where to get it.
Note: To learn more about the Windows Upgrade Advisor, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/upgradeadvisor
Windows Upgrade Advisor report
16 17
Windows Compatibility Center
You may want to know if your devices and software will work with your computer, and that you have all
the latest updates so your stuff works the way it’s supposed to. First introduced with Windows Vista, the
Windows Compatibility Center is a single location where you can quickly and easily verify that your exist-
ing devices and applications will work—and double-check to make sure that your new purchases work
too. The Compatibility Center is updated frequently so you can nd the most current software and drivers
to make things run perfectly. You can even share feedback with Microsoft to help improve the Compat-
ibility Center or get help from the Windows community.
Note: To learn more about the Windows Compatibility Center, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility.
Windows Compatibility Center
Getting Started with Windows 7
Windows Easy Transfer
Windows Easy Transfer helps you move les, folders, program settings, and system settings from your
old PC to your new one. With the newest version of Windows Easy Transfer, you can leave the transfer
unattended. If Windows encounters a le or setting that it can’t transfer, it will complete the rest of the
migration and then show you any items that failed to transfer and give you the option to try again.
Windows Easy Transfer also works well if you’re adding a second PC. With the new Windows Easy Transfer
le explorer, you can see les on other PCs and choose the ones you want to copy to your new PC. If
you’re not sure what you want to transfer, you can use the new Selective Restore feature to save all the
les and settings on your old PC to removable media. You can then choose the les and settings you
want to transfer. Everything else remains safely stored in your Windows Easy Transfer archive, in case you
want to access it later.
You’ll need the same version of Windows Easy Transfer on all PCs to transfer les, folders, program
settings, and system settings. For PCs running Windows 7, Windows Easy Transfer automatically copies
the latest version of Windows Easy Transfer to other PCs running Windows 7 after you’ve connected
them. If you’re running Windows Vista or Windows XP, however, you will need to manually install the
Windows 7 version of Windows Easy Transfer on your PC from the installation media in Windows 7 before
you can begin transferring data.
Windows Easy Transfer helps you move your
les, folders, and settings to your new PC.
18 19
What’s New in Windows 7
Top Features for You
We’ve designed Windows 7 to be the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. We
focused on helping your PC perform the way you want it to—quickly, easily, and with less effort. Although
many of the new improvements are under the covers, Windows 7 also includes many more visible
enhancements that will help you play with, work with, and manage your PC.
The following table highlights some of the features that we think you’ll really like.
Key Feature What You Can Do
Aero Shake Click a window pane and shake your mouse to minimize all
other open windows. Shake the pane again to restore the
windows to their original sizes.
Aero Themes and Aero Background Use new themes or choose a slideshow of your favorite photos
to make your PC re ect your personal taste.
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go Help protect sensitive data with new, easier ways to protect
and recover drives and extend that protection to USB remov-
able storage devices, such as ash memory drives and
portable hard disk drives.
Home Media Streaming Use your PC as a hub and make music, videos, photos, and
recorded TV available on other PCs or stream it to supported
devices using Play To.
HomeGroup Easily share les and printers between PCs running Windows 7
that are connected to your home network.
Improved Windows Taskbar Open les and get around your PC faster. Pin programs you
use often to the taskbar and launch them with a single click.
Key Feature What You Can Do
Internet and Digital TV Watch Internet TV content and turn your PC into a digital
video recorder by using the support in Windows Media Center
for many new broadcast TV tuners.*
Internet Explorer 8: Visual Search See rich, relevant, visual suggestions as you type search terms.
Internet Explorer 8: Web Slices Get the information you want from the Web updated and avail-
able at your ngertips, without leaving the page you’re on.
Jump Lists Reduce clutter and quickly get to tasks and your favorite,
recent, and frequently used les.
Live Thumbnail Previews Manage lots of open windows easily with live thumbnail
previews of active windows
Location Aware Printing Set different default printers for your home and work
networks.
What’s New in Windows 7
Mobile Broadband Eliminate the need to install additional software when you use
your data card for Internet access.
Remote Media Streaming Access your home-based digital media libraries over the Inter-
net from another PC running Windows 7 outside the home.
Snap Resize and expand windows more quickly and easily compare
the contents of two different windows.
View Available Network (VAN) See and connect to available networks—including Wi-Fi,
broadband, dial-up, and virtual private network (VPN)—in just
a few clicks.
VPN Reconnect Get consistent VPN connectivity by automatically reestablish-
ing a VPN connection whenever the Internet connection is
temporarily lost.
Windows Search and Libraries Search your own PC and the PCs and devices connected
to your network to nd items regardless of where they’re
stored.
Windows Touch Interact with your PC with a touch-screen monitor by using
your ngers and multitouch gestures.
Windows Troubleshooting Resolve common issues quickly without having to call for help.
Windows XP Mode Run many older Windows XP productivity applications right on
your Windows 7 desktop.
Note: For certain aspects of Windows Media Center functionality, a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required. To watch
Internet TV, Internet access is required. Free Internet TV content varies by geography. Some content may require additional fees.
20 21
Top Features for IT Professionals
From networking to security and search to user management, Windows 7 offers IT professionals a wide
range of new and improved features. These include the following:
Key Feature What You Can Do
AppLocker Control which applications are allowed to run on user PCs.
BranchCache Improve application responsiveness and end user productivity
at branch of ces while reducing the load on your Wide Area
Network (WAN).
DirectAccess Enable workers to more securely connect to corporate
networks over any Internet connection—without requiring the
extra step of initiating a VPN connection.
Federated Search and Enterprise
Search Scopes
Problem Steps Recorder Help your workers troubleshoot application failures by giving
VHD Boot Ease the transition between virtual and physical environments
Windows PowerShell 2.0™
Enable search engines, document repositories, Web appli-
cations, and proprietary data stores to be searched from
Windows 7, without writing and deploying client code.
them the ability to reproduce and record their experiences and
then send that information to support staff.
by reusing the same master image within a VDI infrastructure
and on physical PCs.
Automate repetitive tasks with this graphical scripting editor that
helps you write scripts that access underlying technologies.
Application and Device Compatibility
We recognize that your PC experience involves programs and devices from many different providers, so
we’ve made a signicant effort to ensure that the applications and devices you use and love are compat-
ible with Windows 7 and work the way you’d expect them to.
Windows 7 helps address application compatibility in several ways. Perhaps most importantly, we worked
to minimize changes in the way applications and devices interact with Windows. As a result, the work
done by third-party software and hardware developers to make their products work on Windows Vista
generally carries forward for Windows 7. In most cases, the same software and hardware that works with
Windows Vista will also work with Windows 7.
In addition, we created a comprehensive list of the most widely used consumer and business applica-
tions, which were tested throughout the development cycle. We also created new and improved tools
such as the Windows Upgrade Advisor, Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT), Windows Compatibility
Center, Quality Cookbook, Application Verier, and ISV Developer Portal to help customers and software
developers assess application compatibility.
For untested programs or applications developed in-house, Windows 7 offers a number of in-the-box
compatibility aids. For example, if a program fails to install because of a hard-coded version check,
the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter can automatically x the problem (with the user ’s consent)
and rerun the installer. Windows 7 also includes an expanded application shim infrastructure and a
Problem Steps Recorder that people can use to capture application compatibility issues for evaluation
by technical experts.
What;’s New in Windows 7
Furthermore, we continually monitor application compatibility issues throughout the Windows ecosys-
tem. We designed Windows 7 to monitor application health and, with the user’s permission, provide
feedback to Microsoft so that we can work quickly with application developers to resolve compatibility
problems and issue a x if necessary. Microsoft has also invested in partner outreach efforts so that soft-
ware developers have the resources required to ensure application compatibility.
As with applications, we are also working to ensure that devices compatible with Windows Vista will work
just as well with Windows 7. As a part of this effort, we have greatly expanded the list of devices and
peripherals being tracked for compatibility with Windows 7. We have identied thousands of devices
through data collected via the Customer Experience Improvement Program and through outreach efforts
to device and PC manufacturers, and we have tested those devices for compatibility with Windows 7.
When updated device drivers are required, we are working to ensure that you can get them directly from
Windows Update or through links to driver downloads on device manufacturer Web sites.
22 23
Windows 7
for You
Windows 7 is more than just engineering and innovation—it’s
the product that you asked for.
You’ve told us you want everything you do on your PC
to be faster and easier. You’ve said that you’d like it if the
technology and devices in your home worked better together.
And because you spend a lot of time on the Web, you’ve
mentioned that you’d like that experience to be faster and
safer—and that you’d like it to be consistent with your of ine
experience so that you don’t have to learn two different ways
to do the same thing.
In essence, you said that you wanted your PC simpli ed. And
with Windows 7, that’s exactly what you’ll get.
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Windows 7 for You
Simplies Everyday Tasks
Windows 7 streamlines and simplies the tasks you do most often. Its enhanced Start menu and Windows
Taskbar put the les and programs you use most within easy reach, so they don’t clutter your desktop. And
the desktop’s new streamlined interface puts you in control so you can get where you want to go faster.
With an improved search engine and Windows Explorer in Windows 7, you don’t have to wade through
multiple results to get the les or programs you’re looking for. No matter where les are located on your
PC or on your network, nding them is a snap. Browsing the Web is simpler too, thanks to new features
in Internet Explorer 8 that put the information you’re looking for right at your ngertips.
With Windows 7, you’ll even nd it easier to share things, whether you’re using Windows Live Essentials
to communicate and share with friends, or sharing content and printers among devices connected to
your home network.
Works the Way You Want
Superior performance, reliability, and security enhancements make your PC work the way you want—that
is, without fuss and with fewer problems. Windows 7 is designed to start, shut down, and resume from
Standby faster. We’ve even engineered Windows 7 to help extend the battery life of your portable PC.
Windows 7 gives you new ways to help keep you and your data safe with enhanced security features, a
more secure online experience, and Parental Controls. Keeping your PC running smoothly—and nding
out what to do when there’s a problem—is much simpler too because you’ll be able to resolve most
issues from one central location. You’ll recover from problems faster with self-healing diagnostic features
and troubleshooters. In fact, Windows 7 will often x issues without any impact to you.
Best yet, Windows 7 is extremely exible. Need to run older business and productivity programs that require
Windows XP? Now you can, with the new Windows XP Mode. Plus, you can make your PC truly your own
with more options than ever for you to customize and personalize your PC to match your personality.
Makes New Things Possible
Windows 7 delivers enhancements that will help you do exciting new things with your PC. Windows
Media Center and Windows Media Player help you enjoy your media in new ways and places. Are your
family photos located on a different PC in your home? No problem.What if you’re away on business and
want to listen to a playlist that’s on your home PC? Believe it or not, you can do that too.
With Windows 7, it’s easier than ever to keep communications owing and get things done—no matter
where you are—with new features that help you connect to the Internet and your corporate network
from remote locations. Choose separate default printers for your home ofce or business ofce. When
you’re ready for a break, use the improved Games Explorer to discover and play new games featuring
higher denition graphics with ner resolution.
Windows 7 makes it easier to move beyond the traditional mouse and keyboard and interact with your
PC using your ngers and multitouch gestures to control what happens on your screen.
Windows 7 for You:
Simpli es Everyday Tasks
In Windows 7, we set out to streamline and simplify the things you do
every day—and you’ll nd you can get more done with a lot less effort. The
user interface is nimbler and more responsive, with navigation that gets
you where you want to go—fast. Connecting PCs and devices is easier.
Networks are simpler to discover and use. And through the combination
of Windows 7 and Windows Live, you can simplify your life online with
great programs, innovative Web services from Microsoft, and integration
with other popular online services.
Simple to Navigate
You’re probably already familiar with how to use and manage windows and don’t want to have to relearn
what you already know. So the new Windows 7 features that help you get to les, work with windows, and
manage your desktop, have been designed to be intuitive and familiar. These enhancements deliver great
new ways to help you get more done with less effort.
Windows 7 for You: Simpli es Everyday Tasks
Windows Taskbar
The taskbar is one of the most familiar aspects of Windows. When you open les and programs, their
icons show up on the taskbar so you can switch between them. Previous versions of Windows, however,
automatically decide where on the taskbar to place each item, and the locations sometimes change with
new sessions.
In Windows 7, the taskbar puts what you want to do at your ngertips. You decide where each program
goes so you know precisely where to click. When you install a new program, its icon is temporarily placed
at the bottom of the Start menu so you can drag it to the taskbar for convenient access in the future.
You can pin frequently used programs to
the taskbar or even pin a speci c document
to a program. For example, if you are work-
ing on a large document over the course of
a week, you might want to pin your word
processing program to the taskbar and the
document to that program. That way, you’ll
always have a fast way to launch the docu-
ment and continue working.
Pin frequently used programs
to the taskbar.
Simple to Navigate
You’ll see live taskbar thumb-
nails of each open window so
you can keep track of the les
and programs you’re using and
select them more easily. Rest
your cursor on the thumbnail,
and Aero Peek brings the full size
window into focus. You can also
close a window directly from the
thumbnail preview window.
Rest your cursor on a thumbnail
preview to see the open window.
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When you have a large number of windows open for
a program, the open windows for that program are
displayed as a list. We’ve enhanced this list view by
adding the ability to peek at a highlighted window or
even close a window directly from the list.
Programs use the new taskbar to provide more infor-
mation in more intuitive ways. For example, you can see
progress bars on a taskbar icon, so that you can stay
aware of progress without keeping the window visible.
Windows Taskbar Shortcuts
Thumbnail over ow list
supports closing windows.
+ T
Brings focus to the rst item in the taskbar. Press
again to cycle through each item.
+ # (1–9)
If a program in the 1–9 slot is running, the
keystroke will launch it. If it is running with one
window, the same keystroke will switch to that
window. If it is running with multiple windows,
the keystroke will cycle between each thumbnail
of the open windows for that program. Aero
Peek will help you nd the right window. (Note:
ALT+WinKey+# will open the corresponding
program’s Jump List)
SHIFT + click on taskbar icon
Launches a new instance of a program
Middle mouse button +
click on taskbar icon
SHIFT + CTRL +
click on taskbar icon
Middle mouse button +
Launches a new instance of a program in
elevated security mode
Closes the window
click on taskbar thumbnail
CTRL + click on a taskbar group Restores the last active window in the group.
Continued clicking will continue restoring the
successive windows in the group
Drag up from a taskbar icon Opens Jump List
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