I promised a couple of days ago that I would explore and explain some new features in file management with Windows 7. I aim to keep my promises, so hear I go. The two biggest changes to file management in Windows 7 lie in the additions of Libraries and easier folder Favorites. To me, Microsoft made a mistake getting rid of the Common Tasks pain implemented in Windows XP which was great for beginners, but I won’t cry over spilled milk.
The Favorites option in Windows 7 allows you to drag a folder you need to access often, either local or on the network, to the Favorites folder, and it will be available to you quickly from everywhere. I like it. Simple, and easily managed.
The Libraries function may help some business users, but I know it will be too complicated for the average computer user. In theory, you can drag like folders together to form a Library. The Library would hold, for example, all your spreadsheet documents from multiple folders, side-by-side. With the powerful searching capability and Jump Lists (I explained in Day 1), I think this feature will get little use and has little value.
Not new to Windows 7, but I quickly demonstrate for people making the jump from XP that Microsoft has adopted the Mac like triangles for opening and closing folders in the folder tree versus the plus/minus used since at least Windows 95…I can’t remember back to Windows 3.1.
Lastly, I demo the new Devices and Printers option that brings together a succinct summary of any device connected to your computer.
Have a look at the video to see all these functions in action!
