Features in Windwos 7: The Taskbar (2nd Part)

Another thing I like the new taskbar in Windows 7 is the new enhanced notification area.
 
The Notification Area of Windows 7.

It still the same notification area like we see on the past versions of Windows but the main difference is Notification can now be control and hide them easily by just dragging up the icon that you want to hide and if you want to visible in the taskbar, just drag it down.

 
 
This figure shows that if you drag the icon up, the icon that you’ve drag is now on the hidden icons tray.

The Action Center

The Action Center is a new security feature in Windows 7. The Action Center is the successor of Windows Security Center (it was first introduced in Windows XP SP2). The Action Center has the same features in Windows Security Center but a lot of enhancement. Action Center can report any errors of your computer, reminders you of update of the software especially Anti-virus program, Maintenance reviews and Troubleshooting advices.

 
The Action Center notification. It reviews you current computer status. As you can see I don’t have problems. So which means that my computer is safe and up-to-date.

In previous version of Windows, the Show Desktop icon was integrated on the Quick Launch. Now on Windows 7, the Show Desktop is now at the end next to the clock and date and it’s now a button. It has the same functionality but the more interesting part is when you hover your mouse over the Show Desktop button, you can see the Windows are turned into glass and you can see the preview of the Desktop just like the switcher I shown you on the 1st part.

The Show Desktop demonstration. As you can see when I hover (not click) the mouse over the button, it turns the window into class except Yahoo! Messenger. It doesn’t have the Aero Glass integration so it doesn’t turn into glass, it just disappears itself.

So that is the taskbar feature on Windows 7. On my next blog, I will show to you the new enhancement Windows Explorer and the new Desktop Themes.

My reaction on the new taskbar

It’s great and well organized. It really enhance my workflow and it keeps things organized. The preview pane of the application is great. I don’t have to switch it, I’m just going to preview it. It’s awsome, fast, and simple enhance the user. When I saw the new taskbar for the first time, I was impress of the changes and yes at first it was hard. But when you get to use of it, it won’t be hard. It’s more easier than ever. I love it. I’m giving it a 5 star! Good Job Microsoft.