Windows 7 Overview

1
Windows 7 Overview
2
The new Start Menu

• Note the search dialog at the bottom left
• Note at the bottom right
• how to enter sleep mode,
• lock the computer,
• restart,
• switch users, etc
• You can edit what is shown in the Menu
• Right-click on the taskbar and select properties
• Select Start Menu and click on Customize

3
Customizing the desktop

• Right-click and select view
• select icon size
• De-select align to grid
• Right-click and select Personalize
• Windows Color and Appearance
• Select windows colors
• At the bottom Open classic appearance let you
  choose the desktop interface AERO, Classic,
  etc.

4
Windows gadgets

• You can place gadgets on the desktop

5
What else is different?

• Administrator account is disabled (fix?)
• Power Users are mostly gone
• Boot.ini replaced by BCD boot configuration
  data stored in \Boot directory edited using
  bcdedit.exe or EasyBCD.
• \Documents and Settings replaced by \Users
• User Account Control (UAC) prompts for admin
  password (just like in Linux) even if logged as
  admin
• Run not in Start Menu add or user the search
  area
• Command prompt to run admin applications now
  require to be started as Run as administrator
• IPv6 is installed together with IP v4. No
  problems in small networks but conflicts with
  Active Directory. Longhorn should fix
• System Restore now restores (undelete) files not
  only programs like XP does.
• Neat stuff Flip (Alt-tab) and Flip 3 D
  (Windows-tab)

6
Compatibility issues/solutions

• Allows programs to be installed and run in
  compatibility mode

• But 16 bit installers will no work in 64 bit
  Windows 7.
• You can set a program to run as administrator
• Translation most programs will run in 7.

7
Network settings - ipconfig
8
Network settings - graphical
9
System Restore - Versions
10
Security policies refined
11
Many more details

• Faster than XP in machines I tested
• As stable as XP, not the VISTA debacle
• Setup as easy as XP
• Versions Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate
  (Enterprise)
• Student discount (Professional)
• Must choose 32 or 64 bits
• Microsoft