Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Interacting with the System Applet

In past versions of Windows, opening the System applet opened the System Properties dialog box, which contained a number of tabs for managing some major system features (such as computer name, hardware, System Restore, and Remote Access) and advanced features (such as the size of the paging file). Windows Server 2008 doesn't provide access to these features in the same way. Now you see the common general features first and click links to obtain access to more advanced features.

This window shows you the basics, such as how much system memory Windows recognizes and which edition of Windows you own. You can also see the workgroup you belong to, the type of processor installed in your machine, and whether you have multiple processors installed (this machine has two). If you ever have questions about any of this information, click the question mark icon in the upper-right corner of the window, and you see a Help file that describes all the entries in this display.

Activating Windows

The System window also shows whether you've activated your copy of Windows. If you haven't activated it, you see a notice specifying how many days you have left to do so. If you see this link, use the following steps to activate your copy of Windows:

1. Click the activation time link. You see the Windows Activation dialog box.
2. Click Activate Windows Online Now. Windows attempts to perform the activation process. If the process is successful, you see a success message.
3. Click Close.
   You see that Windows is activated. (You also see the Genuine Windows logo in the lower-right corner of the window.)

If you ever decide to upgrade your Windows edition, you'll receive a new product key. Click Change Product Key to enter the new product key. You have to activate Windows again after you finish the upgrade because the original activation is attached to the original product key.

Using the System Properties dialog box links

The System window has a number of links in it. Most of these links take you to the System Properties dialog box. For example, when you click Change Settings in the Computer Name, Domain, and Workgroup Settings section, you see the Computer Name tab of the System Properties dialog box.

At this point, you can change to any of the other tabs simply by clicking the tab you want. For example, clicking the Remote tab displays information about creating a Remote Desktop connection. Click the Advanced System Settings link, and you see the Advanced tab of the System Properties dialog box.

Clicking the Device Manager link doesn't take you to the Hardware tab of the System Properties dialog box, as you might think it would. Instead, it takes you to the Device Manager window.

The System window also provides a Windows Update link in the lower-left corner. Click this link, and you see the Windows Update window.