Change your default printer
If you regularly use multiple printers, you can pick one as your default printer. Windows and other programs then automatically use that device whenever you print. Watch this video to learn how to change your default printer.

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Change the system locale
The system locale determines the default character set (letters, symbols, and numbers) and font used to enter and display information in programs that don't use Unicode. This allows non-Unicode programs to run on your computer using the specified language. You might need to change the default system locale when you install additional display languages on your computer. Selecting a different language for the system locale doesn't affect the language in menus and dialog boxes for Windows or other programs that do use Unicode.

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How to Enable or Disable Recent Programs
This will show you how to enable or disable the Recent Programs feature for all users on the computer by turning user tracking on or off in Windows 7. By default, Recent Programs is enabled and turned on in Windows 7.

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Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall
By default, most programs are blocked by Windows Firewall to help make your computer more secure. To work properly, some programs might require you to allow them to communicate through the firewall. Watch this video to learn how to allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall.

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How to Change or Restore the Default Windows 7 Search Options
This will show you how to change or restore the default Search Options for the What to search, How to search, and When searching non-indexed locations settings in Windows 7.

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Automatically switch default printers between home, work, or school
Windows 7 offers the handy ability to automatically switch your laptop's default printer when it detects that you've moved from one network to another-from home to work, for example. This feature, called location-aware printing, is only available in premium editions of Windows 7. It's also only found on laptops and other portable devices that use a battery. Watch this video to learn how to change your default printer.

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Installing programs: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about installing programs. How do I activate Windows? Can I uninstall Windows 7? How do I install updates to Windows? Can I install a program made for an earlier version of Windows? Why do I have to be an administrator to install a program? How do I change the folder where a program installs?

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Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
Using Windows XP Mode, you can run programs that were designed for Windows XP on computers running Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions that also meet certain hardware requirements. Windows XP Mode was primarily designed to help businesses move from Windows XP to Windows 7. It isn't optimized for graphic-intensive programs such as 3D games, nor is it well suited for programs with hardware requirements such as TV tuners.

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How to Change the Default Libraries Icon
This will show you how to change the main default Libraries icon to any custom icon that you want instead in Windows 7.

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E-mail, calendar, photo, and video programs for Windows 7
Some programs that were included in Windows Vista and Windows XP aren't included in Windows 7. You can install similar products from other companies, or you can use Windows Live Essentials, a set of free programs you download and install on your computer running Windows 7. For photos and videos on Windows 7, you can view photos using the built-in photo viewer, make minor touch ups in Paint, and watch videos using Windows Media Player. For more advanced viewing, organizing, and editing features, try Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker.

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Change Default Font Style
Windows 7 uses Microsoft Sans Serif and Tahoma as default display font styles to display the text in dialog boxes.

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How to Change the Default HomeGroup Icon
This will show you how to change the default HomeGroup icon to any custom icon that you want instead in Windows 7.

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Change the Default New Library Icon
This will show you how to change the default New Library icon to any custom icon that you want instead in Windows 7.

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Windows installation problems: frequently asked questions
Here are some answers to common questions about installing Windows. How do I upgrade my computer from Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7? How do I get a product key? How do I make my computer start from the Windows installation disc, rather than the computer's hard disk? What can I try if I get a message saying there is a problem copying files? If I see a blue or black screen or a screen that doesn't change, is my installation broken? How do I install Windows 7 on a netbook? How do I fix a device, like a monitor, sound card, or printer, that doesn't work since I upgraded to Windows 7? Will my programs work with Windows 7? Can I try reinstalling Windows if my computer loses power during installation?

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What is program compatibility?
Program compatibility is a mode in Windows that lets you run programs written for earlier versions of Windows. Most programs written for Windows Vista also work in Windows 7, but some older programs might run poorly or not run at all.

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Make older programs run in this version of Windows
Most programs written for Windows Vista also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, you can try changing the compatibility settings for the program, either manually or by using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter. Watch this video to learn how to make older programs run in this version of Windows.

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Uninstall or change a program
You can uninstall a program from your computer if you no longer use it or if you want to free up space on your hard disk. You can use Programs and Features to uninstall programs or to change a program's configuration by adding or removing certain options. Watch this video to learn how to uninstall or change a program.

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Sharing with your friends using Windows Live Essentials
Previous versions of Windows included programs for organizing photos, sending and receiving e-mail and instant messages, and creating movies. Windows Live Essentials includes programs that make staying in touch and sharing with your friends easier, such as Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger, and Windows Live Movie Maker.

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Start your computer in safe mode
Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs don't run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed. Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. If a problem doesn't reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. If a recently installed program, device, or driver prevents Windows from running correctly, you can start your computer in safe mode and then remove the program that's causing the problem.

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Turn Windows features on or off
Some programs and features included with Windows, such as Internet Information Services, must be turned on before you can use them. Certain other features are turned on by default, but you can turn them off if you don't use them. To turn a feature off in earlier versions of Windows, you had to uninstall it completely from your computer. In this version of Windows, the features remain stored on your hard disk so you can turn them back on if you want to. Turning off a feature does not uninstall the feature, and it does not reduce the amount of hard disk space used by Windows features.

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Change Windows fonts
You can change the font in any part of Windows (for example, menus). Changing a Windows font doesn't change your program fonts. Watch this video to learn how to change Windows fonts.

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Change the default music or video player
After installing a new music or video player, you might find that your music and videos open in the new program instead of your old, favorite program. If so, you can change the settings in Windows so that your music and videos open again in your favorite player. Watch this video to learn how to change the default music or video player.

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What is a system image?
A system image is an exact copy of a drive. By default, a system image includes the drives required for Windows to run. It also includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk or computer ever stops working. When you restore your computer from a system image, it's a complete restoration-you can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced with the contents of the system image.

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Install or change a display language
You can change the language Windows uses to display text in wizards, dialog boxes, menus, and other items in the user interface. Some display languages are installed by default, while others require you to install additional language files.

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32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows? Would I benefit from using a 64-bit computer? How can I tell if my computer is running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version of Windows? Can my computer run a 64-bit version of Windows? Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows or a 64-bit version of Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows? Can I run 32-bit programs on a 64-bit computer? Can I run 64-bit programs on a 32-bit computer? How can I find programs and devices that work with the 64-bit version of Windows 7? If I'm running a 64-bit version of Windows, do I need 64-bit drivers for my devices?

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What happened to the e-mail and browser links on the Start menu?
In previous versions of Windows, icons for the default web browser and e-mail program were pinned to the Start menu by default. In this version of Windows, the pinned area at the top of the Start menu is empty by default.

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Find Windows-compatible programs
To find programs and devices that will work with Windows 7, look for products that display the "Compatible with Windows 7" logo. They've been tested to be compatible with both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.

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Installing Windows: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about installing Windows. How do I upgrade my computer from Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7? What preparations should I make before installing Windows? What do I need to have available? Should I upgrade or perform a custom installation? How do I install Windows 7 on a netbook? Should I install the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7? Can I uninstall Windows 7? Will my programs work with Windows 7?

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Install a program
You can do a lot with the programs and features included in Windows, but you might want to install other programs. How you add a program depends on where the installation files for the program are located. Typically, programs are installed from a CD or DVD, from the Internet, or from a network.

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Change the country or region setting
The country or region setting in Windows, referred to as location, indicates the country or region that you're in. Some software programs and services provide you with local information, such as news and weather, based on this setting. Watch this video to learn how to change the country or region setting.

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Open the Program Compatibility troubleshooter
Most programs written for Windows Vista also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If an older program doesn't run correctly, use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter to simulate the behavior of earlier versions of Windows.

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Understanding hardware and software for 64-bit Windows
If you're trying to decide between a PC running a 32-bit version of Windows 7 or one with a 64-bit version of Windows 7, you might be concerned about the difference between 32-bit drivers and programs and 64-bit drivers and programs.

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Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7
Depending on your hardware and your current edition of Windows Vista, you can use the Upgrade option during Windows 7 installation to upgrade from Windows Vista to a corresponding or higher edition of Windows 7. Upgrading is the most convenient way to get Windows 7 on your computer, because it keeps your files, settings, and programs from Windows Vista in place.

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Customize the Start menu
Organizing the Start menu can make it easier to find your favorite programs and folders. Learn: To pin a program icon to the Start menu; To remove a program icon from the Start menu; To move the Start button; To clear recently opened files or programs from the Start menu; To adjust the number of shortcuts for frequently used programs; To customize the right pane of the Start menu; To restore Start menu default settings; To search for programs from the Start menu; To add the Run command to the Start menu; To add Recent Items to the Start menu.

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How does Windows choose which drives to back up?
If you use Windows Backup to back up your files and you choose the default option (where Windows chooses which files to back up), Windows will back up local data files saved in libraries, files saved on the desktop, and files saved in default Windows folders. If your files span multiple drives, they will be included in the backup as long as they are in a library or in one of the folders being backed up. You can customize what is included in your backup by choosing individual folders, libraries, and drives. Windows will only back up drives that are formatted using the NTFS file system.

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Using Windows XP Mode
This video shows you how to use Windows XP Mode to run programs made for Windows XP in certain editions of Windows 7

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Windows Taskbar
Sure, the new Windows 7 taskbar is still the same familiar place for switching between windows. But now it's easier to see, more flexible, and more powerful. For instance, in Windows 7 you can pin favorite programs anywhere on the taskbar for easy access. Not crazy about the icon lineup? Now you can rearrange them any way you like by clicking and dragging...

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What's the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7?
The Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 is a collection of games and programs that you interact with using your fingers. To use these games and programs, you need either a laptop with a screen that supports multitouch or a desktop PC connected to a touchscreen that supports multitouch (including all-in-one PCs with touchscreens). To find this capability, look for a laptop, all-in-one PC, or touchscreen with the Windows 7 logo that says it supports Windows Touch. The Touch Pack comes preinstalled on many multitouch PCs running Windows 7.

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Looking for Windows Calendar?
You might have noticed that Windows Calendar isn't included in Windows 7. You can manage your calendar and events by installing a calendar program from another company or you can use Windows Live-programs for your computer and online services that work together. And, they're free!

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Looking for Windows Mail?
You might have noticed that Windows Mail isn't included in Windows 7. You can read and send e-mail messages by installing an e-mail program from another company or by using Windows Live-programs for your computer and online services that work together. And, they're free!

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