Desktop Interface

The Windows 7 desktop interface, also known as the graphical user interface (GUI), has been significantly improved. The difference will be more noticeable for end users migrating from Windows XP than Windows Vista as the latter introduced Windows Aero. The Windows 7 user interface will be very familiar to any previous Windows user as it continues to include a Start menu, taskbar, notification area, and desktop. However, most of these features have been changed and improved.

Believe it or not, many of these changes do have end-user productivity in mind as opposed to being purely focused on eye candy. Many end users had significant issues with the changes in the desktop environment from Windows XP to Windows Vista and the migration to Windows 7 will not be any easier. It is extremely important to learn and understand the new Windows 7 desktop environment features and properly educate the end users. As you will see, the planning and preparation process of a Windows 7 deployment is just as important as proper user training and education.

Windows 7 includes more than one user experience option that may be selected through the Themes option of the Personalization console of the Control Panel. These themes allow for different user experiences:

• Windows Classic - resembles the Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000 desktop interface. The Start menu, however, does not have the option for a classic style, it can only be set as far back as the Windows XP Start menu.
• Windows Basic and Standard - depending on the edition of Windows 7 and hardware compatibility this is the Windows 7 default user interface without Aero features.
• Windows Aero - this is the new and default Windows 7 user experience, edition and hardware allowing. It includes all the Aero features including Glass, Snap, Peek, etc.

Important new and improved features of Windows 7 include:

• Bundled applications - Microsoft has included multiple new and improved bundled applications including the calculator and sticky notes while removing Messenger, Mail, and Photo Gallery, which are now a part of Microsoft Live Essentials.
• Improved Start menu - similar to the default Windows XP and Vista Start menu with an improved search bar and other useful features.
• Jump Lists - allows for quick access to associated tasks of the application selected.
• Notification area - similar to the notification area introduced in Windows 95, it now has customizable options for more effective notifications of system and application status.
• Taskbar - similar to Windows XP and Vista. Microsoft has removed the quick launch toolbar and now allows programs to be pinned to the taskbar for launching and accessing open windows.
• Themes - multiple new and improved themes to customize the desktop backgrounds, window colors, sounds, screen saver, and power options.
• Windows Aero - multiple features including Aero Peek, Snap, Shake, Glass, etc. This requires compatible hardware and Windows 7 edition.
• Windows Explorer - the shell for accessing Windows Explorer has been vastly improved. The menu bar has been removed and various new and enhanced features such as Libraries, address bar, navigation pane, and search have been added.