Windows 7 will roll out next month full of big promises and headline features, including greater speed, improved compatibility with existing applications, and an enhanced interface.
But sometimes it’s the little surprises in a new operating system that are the most endearing.
That’s because small fixes or enhancements can go a long way toward making your daily life with the PC more productive or more fun. Luckily, Windows 7 is full of them. Here are a few.
Drag and Snap
Windows 7 makes it easier to see and organize your running applications than any previous Windows version.
“Drag and snap,” for example, is a new feature that will automatically “snap” running applications to the edge of your screen if you drag them there. It will also sense the presence of other applications displayed on screen and allow you easily to align them side-by-side by making the edge of one application snap to the edge of another.
An open application window can also be “snapped” quickly to the edge of the screen by pressing the Windows key and tapping either the left or right arrow key on your keyboard. Holding down the Windows key and tapping the up arrow key will maximize an open application, while the Windows key plus the down arrow will minimize the program to the task bar.
Taken together, these new methods of application organization on screen will be of use to those who work with lots of applications open at the same time.
Enhanced Start Button Search
In Windows 7, you don’t have to go far to find a program, file, or feature. All you need to do is open the Start menu and begin typing. While this was possible in Vista, Windows 7’s Start menu search capabilities have been significantly enhanced to allow you to find features that previously were accessible only by opening…