Using the Windows 7 Desktop
Date: Sep 1, 2009
From using the new Taskbar to customizing Desktop Gadgets, Mark Edward Soper shows you how to get around in Windows 7.
Although the Windows 7 desktop still has a taskbar across the bottom of the screen, it represents a huge departure from previous Windows desktops. The new desktop makes it easier to manage programs, switch between program windows, and find the window you want to work with now.
)
)
Starting a Program From the Start Menu
You can start a program from a desktop shortcut, but you’re more likely to start a program from the Start menu.
)
Click the Start orb.
If the program is listed on the left pane, click it to start it.
If the program is not listed on the left pane, hover the mouse over All Programs.
Scroll to the program listing.
Click the program listing to start it.
)
NOTE
If the program is within a folder on the Start menu, click the folder to open it; then click the program name to start the program.
Opening a New Program Window
Windows 7’s taskbar also makes it easy to create a new program window for a currently running program.
)
- Right-click on an icon in the taskbar.
- Select the program name from the jump list.
- A new program window appears.
)
TIP
Use the Recent submenu to open a recently used document. Use Pin This Program to Taskbar to keep programs you use frequently on the taskbar at all times. Use Close Window or Close All Windows to close open program windows.
Maximizing, Minimizing, Restoring, and Resizing a Window
Windows 7 provides a variety of ways to control the size and position of program windows. In this section, you learn how to use your mouse to adjust window size and position. You can also use Aero Snap (this chapter, p. 28) to adjust window position from the keyboard.
)
- Click the upper-left corner to display the menu (optional).
- Click either control to minimize the window to the taskbar.
- Click either control to maximize the window to full screen.
- Click and drag to resize the window.
- Click and drag to move the window.
Click the upper-left corner to display the menu (optional).
Click either control to restore the program to its previous window size/position.
)
NOTE
As you can see from this tutorial, you do not need to open the upper-left corner menu to work with window sizing.
Using Aero Snap to Manage Windows
If your system uses the Windows Aero desktop, you can use your keyboard to move, maximize, or minimize the active window by using a new feature called Aero Snap. Aero Snap uses the Windows key along with the arrow keys to adjust window position.
)
- Program running in window.
- Press Window+right arrow keys.
- Active window moves to right of screen.
- Press Window+up arrow.
- Active window is maximized.
- Press Window+left arrow.
- Active window moves to left of screen.
)
)
)
NOTE
Press Window+down arrow to minimize active window to toolbar.
NOTE
To learn more about Windows Aero, see Chapter 12, “Personalizing Windows 7.”
Using Aero Peek to View the Desktop
If your system supports the Windows Aero desktop (the title bar of the active window is translucent when it is not maximized), you can use a new feature called Aero Peek to see your desktop, even if you have many program windows open.
)
- The Aero Peek control box. Hover the mouse over the box to view the desktop.
- Aero Peek displays only the outlines of open windows.
- Click the control box to toggle window display on and off.
)
NOTE
Windows 7 Starter Edition does not support Windows Aero.
Using Alt-Tab to Cycle Through Programs
Use the Alt-Tab keys (also known as “cool switching”) to select which program you want to make active. In Windows 7, pressing Alt-Tab cycles through live thumbnails of each running program.
)
- Press Alt-Tab.
- Thumbnails of active programs appear.
- Press Alt-Tab until desired program is highlighted.
- Release Alt-Tab, and program becomes active.
NOTE
In addition to the highlight shown in Step 3, the name of the program window is shown above the program thumbnails.
Using Windows Flip (WIN-TAB) to Cycle Through Programs
Systems running the Windows Aero desktop can use Windows Flip to cycle through running programs and select the one they want to make active. Windows Flip uses the Windows and Tab keys.
)
- Press the Windows and Tab keys.
- Running programs are displayed in an overlapping arc across the screen.
- Continue to press the Windows and Tab keys until the program you want to make active is at the front of the stack.
- Release the keys, and the program becomes active.
NOTE
You might see icons for minimized programs as well as program windows appear in Steps 2 and 3.
Using the Taskbar to View and Select Running Programs
The Windows 7 taskbar not only looks different than the one in previous versions of Windows (it uses icons, not text, by default), but it makes it easier than ever to choose the program you want to make active.
)
- Hover the mouse over a taskbar icon, and a thumbnail of the running program appears.
- Click the taskbar icon for the program, and the program becomes active.
- A program icon on the taskbar can represent more than one window.
- Move your mouse to highlight the window you want to make active.
)
)
)
NOTE
This feature requires Windows Aero.
Closing a Program
Windows 7 offers several ways to close a program, so you can select the method that’s best for a given situation.
)
- Click the red X in the upper-right corner of the program window to close the program.
- You can also click the upper-left corner to open the window menu.
- To close the program from the window menu, click Close.
- To close a program from the keyboard, press Alt-F4.
-
To close a program in the taskbar, right-click the program icon and select Close Window.
- To close all windows for a particular program from the taskbar, right-click the program icon and select Close All Windows.
)
)
Using Desktop Gadgets
Windows 7 improves Windows Vista’s use of gadgets (small desktop programs) by freeing them from the side of the monitor. In Windows 7, you can place desktop gadgets wherever you’d like on the desktop, and you can use gadgets developed for Windows Vista as well as those developed for Windows 7.
)
- Right-click an empty portion of the desktop.
- Select Gadgets.
- The Desktop Gadget Gallery appears.
- To place a gadget on your desktop, double-click the appropriate icon or drag the gadget to the desktop.
- To adjust settings for any gadget, move your mouse to the right side of the gadget and select the setup (wrench) icon.
- Select or enter the desired options and click OK when finished.
- To drag a gadget, move the mouse to the right of the gadget and click Drag Gadget.
Move the gadget as desired, and release the left mouse button to place the gadget.
)
)
NOTE
Use the Get More Gadgets Online link to download additional gadgets.
NOTE
Select a gadget; then click Show Details to learn more about the gadget.