Has Windows 7 changed the way you use your computer?

[napilopez]

Now for most if not all of us, Windows 7 has brought upon performance improvements, and course the new taskbar bring some new features that modify I our handling of applications, but has windows 7 changed anything in particular in how you use your computer?

For me there are at least a couple of things I do differently now:

I have the taskbar on top.
Never thought I would actually leave it like that, but I have. It just looks nice with seven I guess.

I run many more apps at the same time. Before, I would tend to close apps and reopen them if I needed to, rather than have several open windows in the background, sacrificing performance.

I rarely maximize windows anymore. Before, I would maximize almost everything. But now, thanks to the convenience of Aero snap, I can simply drag the bottom/top edge of a window to the bottom/top edge of the usable space, and it automatically vertically resizes the window. I prefer it alot this way, as it allows me to keep track of my contact lists while still browsing the internet or watevs. Not to mention it looks prettier and works more smoothly with aero peek.

I'm also making use of keyboard shortcuts within the OS more, as now there are more useful ones of these.

Overall, I feel more efficient, which at the end of the day, should be what an OS does.

Anything you've noticed?

 

[Mark]

No you pretty much covered it, I change the themes allot more now and find that you can personalize it allot better than previous versions.

 

[napilopez]

Oh yea, I totally forgot about themes. Themes actually feel more like themes again, a bit more like they were back in the day. Of course not the same level of customization, but I do find myself changing them around often, and even making my own.

Oh yea, I actually make use of gadgets. I guess it was just a performance issue for me, but I never made use of them in Vista, I know that you could detach them from the sidebar.

 

[garysgold]

I think I use it pretty much the same, but it is a lot more efficient. Snap to sides and snap to height for instance. Don't use the Recent Items list on the start menu much anymore. I don't maximize windows as much, but that's more due to having a widescreen monitor vs 17" CRT. The things I put on the 17" still get maximized, usually. I do have more apps left open also.

Gary

 

[ekopaxus]

.

I've been using Windows7 pretty much the same as previous versions of Windows. The performance is amazing with Windows7 compared to Vista.

.

 

[smarteyeball]

Nothing radically different, but I do take advantage of Aero Snap and the live Preview Windows.

oh, and changing the display to medium 125% is something I really miss when I'm in Vista.

 

[skunksmash]

well, the little window prompt you get when you hover the taskbar, is simply a work of art on windows 7, selecting a page from many becomes easy, & dare i say fun.....

a lot of the snap functions im using regularly now.......when i travel back over to vista the Aero on it actually looks plain now, yet before i had W7 vista's Aero had me in a daze with its beauty.... (still love vista though)

the finished product will be AMAZING......




SK

 

[garysgold]

oh, and changing the display to medium 125% is something I really miss when I'm in Vista.

This can be done in Vista. Personalize/adjust font (DPI). 120% is available, but you can click on custom and choose what you want.

Gary

 

[anykey]

I seem to be following the general trend here.
I too now keep apps open rather than close 'em.
And with a wide screen I am using keyboard Winkey+right, Winkey+left to snap windows to the side.
My task bar is still at the bottom of the screen and holds the apps I use all the time. Yeah I like Win7 :shock:

 

[chev65]

I like how the Explorer docking shows all windows from one location. Much easier to use for me. And I like having the program icons using the extra space that Explorer doesn't need anymore. And I agree that keeping apps open because they all have their own dock is much easier now. The new taskbar alone is worth the upgrade.

 

[napilopez]

Oh, I forgot one of the most important ones . In vista I would like live in the task manager, seeing what programs were using up what resources. I rarely ever open the task manager now

 

[Romulinx2]

It is easier to use, runs smoother. Running progs are easy to see on the task bar. Moving windows around to run multiple progs is so easy. It also looks great. Doesn't crash, but neither did Vista 64. I'm really happy with it.

Oh I missed it! My 202nd post............LOL

 

[smarteyeball]

This can be done in Vista. Personalize/adjust font (DPI). 120% is available, but you can click on custom and choose what you want.

Gary

Yeah mate, I've tried that but the 7 implementation is far superior in that it tends to increase 'everything' evenly (fonts etc). It's a bit more hit and miss in vista.

Plus I also use custom themes in Vista that only work properly at 96DPI. Any other setting breaks them

 

[DTree]

Yeah, I guess I'm using it differently.
I didn't do Vista so I find I'm spending 90% of my time tweaking or reading up on possible tweaks

 

[Marc Winter]

I'd call myself a poweruser (lots of open apps, even more windows of course, intensive use of keyboard-shortcuts etc)...

W7 change my approach to work radically:

Taskbar is located on the left (leaving more height on my widescreen), windows are minimized when not in use (which I didn't do so frequently before - especially with mails and other outlook-windows) because they're easy to find when required.

Themes are completly "just for fun" - which is why I'd never have thought that I would actually use them. Nonetheless I change themes at least once a day - depending on my mood . So: Great thing!

All in all: W7 is so much more efficient for my workflow - I can't live without it anymore.

 

[pooch]

No real change here, I like and use the wallpaper changer. I am slowly getting used to pinning programs on the taskbar
I don't like or use the gadgets but then I didn't use the sidebar in Vista either I always thought of it as one of the biggest resource hogs

 

[WightBoy]

Games run better on windows 7 then they did in vista so i now play all my games on highest graphics with no lagg

 

[linuzo]

I would have to say since Windows 7 it has changed my whole outlook on Microsoft Computing. Jumplists, aero snap and peek. Wow that is all I have to say, however I am wondering when Firefox will lauch an app supporting jumplists as well.
As far as having more programs open I would say I use about the same, since I call myself a power user I do use quite a bit of applications. I still need to setup my raid array but that will require a new motherboard for that. I would have to say I think I will actually buy Windows 7 this time. Good Job MS.

 

[composer]

.

I've been using Windows7 pretty much the same as previous versions of Windows. The performance is amazing with Windows7 compared to Vista.

.

I agree - some say its not true and that it is just as slow. NOT TRUE at all. The amazing feat is that Windows 7 runs so slick that it makes even the oldest of hardware run seemingly very fast.

A few things I would like to see though is a built in Adobe reader and PAR program. This and some really nice templates and the ability to customize templates for emails and I would be very happy.

 

[black dog]

I was not intersted in Windows Live email so i gave Thunderbird a try and like it a lot. I have even ditched Outlook Express on my XP partition in favour of Thunderbird .

I now just use Sleep rather than shutting down every night. Also think the new Superbar is the Ducks whatsicles and now couldnt possibly get by without it .

It has given me a new found enthusiasm for computering. I love it !