New Features in Windows 7

The newest version of Microsoft Windows, Windows 7, is now available on campus for staff and faculty members. This significant upgrade brings a host of new features to the operating system, as well as new and efficient ways of accessing your data and performing your daily duties.

Your department-assigned computer may still be running Windows XP, and Windows 7 is available if you'd like the upgrade. If you'd like to test drive Windows 7, it's already installed in the computer labs across campus.

If your department purchases a new computer, WIndows 7 will be installed on it. As we reimage currently owned computers (reinstalling Windows), Windows 7 will likely be installed. However, due to system requirements, older computers may not be eligible for an upgrade. Any upgrade will wipe files and programs from your computer, so make sure to have a current backup of your data!

Some Windows 7 features operate quite differently from Windows XP. We'll cover some of the most noticeable differences to get you on your way with Windows 7.

View more information about new features in Windows 7 »

The Start Button

One of the first things you'll notice about Windows 7 is the Start Button; it's now a simple orb with the Windows flag on it. The Start Menu has new capabilities, and easier ways of locating files and programs on your computer.

• As with Windows XP, programs can be pinned to the top of the Start Menu
• Clicking All Programs gives you an expandable list of programs on your computer
• You can use the integrated Search box at the bottom of the Start Menu to search for anything: files, Control Panel preferences, programs, etc.
• If you've ever used the "Run" command in Windows XP, you can type and search for "Run" here, or often type the command you would have typed in the Run window and it will launch directly from the Search box

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer, the file browsing and management application built into Windows, has also been updated. Its core functions remain, but there are new ways to get to your data faster. You can browse your files and directories in the mail Explorer window as before.

• The address bar at the top of the Explorer window now has a breadcrumb-style path bar, showing you the folders underneath the folder you're viewing
  • You can click on any of the arrows next to each folder level to browse other folders at that level, eliminating the need to back out several steps
  • You can also click directly on any level in the path bar to go straight there
• You can also click in the path bar to bring up the "classic" address bar, and type the name of the folder you're looking for; live search results will populate as you type

Aero 3D

Aero 3D is a new window display and management feature of Windows 7. In earlier versions of Windows, you could press the ALT key plus the Tab key to scroll through your open windows. This is still true, but Windows 7 also gives you more options!

• If you hold the Windows key plus the Tab key, you are presented with Flip 3D, a 3D version of ALT+Tab, displaying live previews of each open window
• ALT+Tab still works, and if you pause over each window, you are presented with the same live preview
• Right-clicking on applications in the task bar brings you what Windows 7 calls "jumplists," common tasks (or frequently visited webpages or favorites) associated with each program
  • You can also pin particular tasks or destinations to these jumplists
• Live previews are also available if you hover over applications in the taskbar; again, if you pause over each one, the display will change to show you that window temporarily and allow you to choose which window you'd like
  • Not all applications support these features yet, but will in the future, as more of them receive Windows 7 compatibility updates