Slideshow

Windows 7 screenshots: 10 cool desktop features

Guide to the most compelling features of the latest OS

By Shane O'Neill | CIO US
Published: 09:42 GMT, 20 October 09

Since the general beta release, Windows 7 has been through the testing wringer and has come out with mostly high marks for its speed, flexibility, user interface (UI) and networking features. The starting point of all this UI efficiency is the revamped taskbar, which allows faster and easier management of application windows, while also adding some visual flair.

Some Windows 7 features that will unclutter navigation are clickable thumbnails that appear when you mouse over a taskbar button, jump lists and Aero Peek, which makes all windows transparent except the one you want to look at. On the networking side, HomeGroups links Windows 7 computers on your home network to share photos, music and videos through Media Streaming.

Here's our photo collection of 10 key interface and networking features new to Windows 7.

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Sharing with HomeGroup

HomeGroups let you easily link Windows 7 computers on your home network to share pictures, music, videos, documents and devices such as a printer. In order to set up a HomeGroup, a user's Network Location needs to be set as "Home" in the Network and Sharing Center. When you create a HomeGroup, you specify which media files, folders and devices you want to share, and create a password so that only people with that password can join the HomeGroup.

Microsoft.com

  • Aero Peek
  • Sharing with HomeGroup
  • Media Streaming Options
  • Play To
  • Aero Snap
  • Jump Lists
  • Trippy Desktop Background Wallpaper
  • Libraries
  • Taskbar Peek
  • Windows Media Player Taskbar Controls

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