Windows 7: Expert Guides and Resources

Windows 7 is designed for networking and working with the internet, so when your network connection isn’t working, it can be particularly frustrating. Fortunately, Windows 7 comes with a built-in troubleshooter that you can use to repair a broken network connection. Choose Start→Control Panel→Network and Internet.

The Internet Sharing feature in Windows is easy. Windows 7 makes it easy for you to get connected to the Internet and to share an Internet connection with other computers in your network. You can use the Windows Internet Connection Sharing feature on your Windows 7 computer to let one or more computers share in your Internet connection.

You don’t have to close a computer program to open or switch to another application. You can use the Alt+Tab key to cycle between the programs. You can see all open programs by looking at the Windows 7 taskbar. Just click any running program on the taskbar to display that window and make it the active program.

The Windows Fax and Scan utility enables you to scan documents and pictures. Before you can scan documents and pictures, you must have a scanner installed on your computer. Your scanner must be listed in the Devices section of the Devices and Printers Control Panel window. To check to see if your scanner is properly installed, open the Device Stage.

The Sticky Notes accessory enables you to plaster the electronic equivalent of good old-fashioned Post-It notes all over your Windows 7 desktop. You can use Sticky Notes in Windows 7 as onscreen reminders: you can even color code them to help you stay organized.They remain securely wherever you put them on the desktop until you delete them!

Windows 7 can easily and quickly be customized to suit your needs. For many users, particularly those upgrading from Windows XP, one of the things you’ll want to do is add back some of the desktop icons that are "missing" in Windows 7. In fact, one of the first things that most people notice when running Windows 7 is that the initial desktop is nearly empty.

When you have many windows open in Windows 7, you can use the Flip and Flip 3-D features to quickly organize your applications. Flip and Flip 3-D, like Aero Peek, allow you to view what is happening in all of your open windows and shuffle them so that the one you want is on top. Flip To use the Flip feature, hold down Alt and press Tab.

One of the ways you can make Windows 7 work for you is by adding toolbars to the taskbar along the bottom of the desktop. The new and improved taskbar is one of the biggest changes in Windows 7; it's your entry to the most commonly used programs in Windows. Windows 7 makes it easy for you to personalize your workspace.

Most of the searches you'll need to perform in Windows 7 will be simple and straightforward. However, when you need to really drill down into the index to find a long lost file, consider using search filters to unleash the advanced search tools in Windows 7. You can use advanced search filters to modify a search so that the search engine takes into account specific file characteristics, which can help you isolate the most likely candidates.