More Windows 7 Start Menu

Following my second Good Boot Start Menu/Toolbar walkabout last week, I received several e-mails asking why I’m dedicating my Good Boots to “frilly little Windows 7 features” rather than important subjects like viruses and how to back up.

My response was I’ve been there and done that (viruses and backup) so often, I though Good Booters might enjoy a vacation from gloom and doom.

Besides it’s summertime and the livin’ should be easy or at least a bit easier. So why not take some time to enjoy and marvel at the new and improved features of Windows 7 installed on the beast that sits on your desktop.

The Windows 7 Taskbar has two improved feature.
1. Regardless of how many programs you have open, by passing your pointer over the “preview Desktop with Aero Peek” button located at the far right of your Taskbar you can sneak a quick peek of your Desktop.

By default this feature should be available. If not, right click on your Start Menu access button, click Properties and click on the “Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop” to place a checkmark in the checkbox.

2. Former XPer’s and Vista users may remember how difficult it was to find a blank space on their toolbar that would allow them to place their pointer and drag their toolbar about their Desktop.

With Windows 7, by right clicking on your Start Menu access button and selecting Properties, you can conveniently click on the little down triangle on the “Taskbar location on screen:” button to relocate the taskbar to the left, right top or bottom of your screen.

A new Windows 7 Start Menu feature is the option of having the Power button set to activate your action choice. By default the Power button action is “Shut down” with its alternate Power button options available by clicking on the little triangle at the end of the Power button.

However should you prefer having Switch user, Log off, Restart, Lock or Sleep as your default Power button action, right click on your Start Menu access button, click on the triangle on the “Power button action:” button and set your default Power button to your choice of action.

I also suggest you right click on your Toolbar and explore the available quick access options. You can:
1. Access all your Toolbars
2. Create a toolbar.
3. Start your Task Manager.
4. Lock your Taskbar.
5. Adjust your Windows presentation.
6. Access all Toolbar Properties.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.