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Windows 7 in action: A smarter way to manage windows

By | September 28, 2009, 12:38pm PDT

Summary: Over the past few months, I’ve snapped hundreds of screenshots of the Windows 7 interface, for use in galleries here at ZDNet and in an upcoming book. But static screenshots don’t do justice to some of the nuances of actually using a feature. So when ZDNet’s crack staff of video producers offered to help me produce some screencasts, I jumped at the chance. This is the first in a series of of four close-up looks at the Windows 7 interface. You’ve no doubt heard about Aero Snap and Aero Shake. Here’s a chance to see these features in action.

Over the past few months, I’ve snapped hundreds of screenshots of the Windows 7 interface, for use in galleries here at ZDNet (like this one and this one) and in Windows 7 Inside Out. But static screenshots don’t do justice to some of the nuances of actually using a feature. So when ZDNet’s crack video production team offered to help me to produce some screencasts, I jumped at the chance.

You’ve no doubt heard about Aero Snap and Aero Shake. Here’s a chance to see these features in action. (Hint: Click the Full Screen button, in the lower right corner, just to the right of the Menu button, to see the most detail.)

I actually remember the first time I saw this feature demonstrated for me. I was immediately impressed with the idea that simple mouse gestures could make window management so much easier. That’s especially important these days, when 20- and 24-inch monitors are commonplace.

In fact, after using Windows 7 for nearly a full year, I have to confess that I’m spoiled by this feature more than any other. When I use a computer running another operating system—Windows Vista, XP, or even OS X—I really miss the ability to maximize and minimize a window with a flick of the mouse or to snap a window into position on the side of the screen.

This is the first of four Windows 7 demos that I’ve done in this series. Look for the next one next week at this time.

More coverage of Windows 7:

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Topics

Mouse, Window, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Construction, Mice, Operating Systems, Software, Hardware, Peripherals, Ed Bott

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications.

Disclosure

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is a freelance technical journalist and book author. All work that Ed does is on a contractual basis.

Since 1994, Ed has written more than 25 books about Microsoft Windows and Office. Along with various co-authors, Ed is completely responsible for the content of the books he writes. As a key part of his contractual relationship with publishers, he gives them permission to print and distribute the content he writes and to pay him a royalty based on the actual sales of those books. Ed's books written prior to fall 2011 have been distributed by Que Publishing (a division of Pearson Education) and by Microsoft Press. As of November 2011, Ed is a partner in the independent publishing company Fair Trade Digital Exchange, which exclusively publishes his books.

On occasion, Ed accepts consulting assignments. In recent years, he has worked as an expert witness in cases where his experience and knowledge of Microsoft and Microsoft Windows have been useful. In each such case, his compensation is on an hourly basis, and he is hired as a witness, not an advocate.

Ed does not own stock or have any other financial interest in Microsoft or any other software company. He owns 500 shares of stock in EMC Corporation, which was purchased before the company's acquisition of VMware. In addition, he owns 350 shares of stock in Intel Corporation, purchased more than two years ago. All stocks are held in retirement accounts for long-term growth.

Ed does not accept gifts from companies he covers. All hardware products he writes about are purchased with his own funds or are review units covered under formal loan agreements and are returned after the review is complete.

Biography

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He's served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books on Microsoft Windows and Office, including the recently released Windows 7 Inside Out.

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oregalia 14th Oct 2009
I would rather click/tap than drag any day.
View in thread
0 Votes
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I don't see much use for dragging a window to the top of the screen.
ye 28th Sep 2009
Might as well just double click on the title bar to maximize it and then double click on it again to restore it. It doesn't make sense to drag it to the top of the screen.
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Intuitiveness and consistency
NonZealot 28th Sep 2009
Let's be honest, double clicking to get a maximized window is only "intuitive" because that is the way we've done it for years. With the ability to drag windows to the side, it only makes sense that dragging it to the top should work as well.

Don't forget that dragging away from the top restores the window which is more efficient since many times, you will want to restore and move that window somewhere. That can now be accomplished with 1 smooth action.
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I understand why. It just doesn't make sense.
ye 28th Sep 2009
If you're going to move the mouse to the menu bar then it's much faster to double click than drag. And it works in reverse too. Double click and it's restored to where it was.
0 Votes
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There's a method to the "madness"...
Wolfie2K3 28th Sep 2009
If you're on a tablet, you can just use your finger (or stylus) to drag the window to the top much easier, perhaps than double tapping (clicking) the title bar..
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Ding-ding, winner!
mikefarinha 29th Sep 2009
Yes this feature, like Aero Shake, is built more for touch then for simple mouse gestures.
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Preferences
oregalia 14th Oct 2009
I would rather click/tap than drag any day.
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I agree...it's pointless
eMJayy 28th Sep 2009
I don't see the point of having to use wrist action for something that can already be done faster with the twitch of a finger. In the months since I've used the 7 RC, I've found that feature to be a waste of my time. In fact, the only feature that I actually found useful was the one that lets you snap a windows to the side of the screen. But even then, the feature was only adequate for sorting files between 2 folders, whereas I tend to need to use 4-5 folders at a time when I'm sorting stuff. When I use Ubuntu to sort files, I get to open the 4-5 folders in the same window because each location can be opened in a separate tab within a single folder window, just like in a web browser. After getting used to that level of functionality, it's really hard to get excited about something that's less useful.
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Give it three months before
frgough 28th Sep 2009
people start cursing the feature as they accidentally move windows into
the hot zone as they are positioning them out of the way.
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There is a difference
Earthling2 28th Sep 2009
While many apps "snap" their widnows to the edges, the difference with this implementation is that you have to bump the cursor to the edge for it to work. In other words, the edge doesn't work as a magnet.

Move the window back a little, and it is not snapped. But again, there is no "stickiness" and the window doesn't snap back at you, as with some other implementations.

Great visual feedback helps to prevent accidental resizing, too.
0 Votes
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Contributr
Uh, dude?
Ed Bott 28th Sep 2009
This feature has been in use for nearly 10 months in public beta and RC. If people were going to be annoyed, they would be.

Amazingly, people learn to use it and like it.
0 Votes
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Nothing New Under the Sun!
i2fun@... 29th Sep 2009
I use both Linux and Windows 7RC. So the transition back and forth from Linux to Windows is becoming friendlier for me. Now if they'd get all the full features of Compiz-Fusion it could be even better! grin

But on the same hardware the difference is still stark. Things just work faster and more efficiently using OpenGL on Compiz in Linux's 3D cube than Aero w/ DX. In fact even Aero runs better on OpenGL than DirectX! Sorry it's the simple truth and difference of the fact a desktop isn't a game!
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Sorry Ed, But, Not This One
LegendsOfBatman 2nd Oct 2009
Ok, I'll concede some of it has it's value, but, I too find this feature more annoying than beneficial.
I tend to like using full screen windows, even on my 24" ws. Of course, when transferring files from one spot to the other, a less than full screen window is not only preferable, but mandatory. However, I dont see these features as any big whoopdeedoo. Like it is sooo time consuming to hit the resize button?
My biggest complaint is with how windows resizes my windows, every time i open a new one. Now THAT would be a beneficial feature: opening the window at MY desired size. ALWAYS.
This feature, well, I'll put it this way: glad it makes you happy. It is neither good nore bad for me, tho. Actually, it seems rather tedious to me.
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Give it three months before
ICUR12 14th Oct 2009
OK I've given the ribbon in office more than 3 months can I continue to curse it?
0 Votes
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or...
Earthling2 28th Sep 2009
...you perhaps can select multiple files at once then drag them all to a folder in one go.

If you still need multiple windows, do shift-right-click on the folders icon in the task bar and select "show windows stacked" or "...side by side". It is a poorer substitute for tabs may be, but it works.

Still sounds like a lot of labor to sort files by hand though. Why not put them all in one big pile and use search when you need something specific?

Alternatively, in libraries, you can group items using different attributes. For example, you can group photos by date taken or by tag. This gives more flexibility than just manually binning the items using a single criterion.

(Not sure if these types of grouping can be extended beyond predefined groupings for the libraries, but I think it shouldn't be that difficult; perhaps Ed will give us one of his "secrets" on how this can be done ;-)).

Have fun.
0 Votes
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Contributr
Secrets
Ed Bott 28th Sep 2009
Ah, you're peering into the future very nicely.
0 Votes
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I always forget the right word to search for.
CobraA1 28th Sep 2009
I always forget the right word to search for.

Having a hierarchy works so much better for me.

If I'm not organized, I always end up pulling my
hair out trying to figure out what I need to
search for.
0 Votes
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Simply not good enough
eMJayy 29th Sep 2009
I have a small home recording studio and in my spare time, I work on audio projects with friends and colleagues. A lot of audio gets generated; new audio samples are created, clips get added, acidized and remixed and multiple versions are typically created. I have to keep files in folders based on their type and intended use. Mixing different projects together just slows down productivity and stuff would actually get lost. The total database consists of several terabytes of data on different network drives. And some of the files must be copied to portable drives while I'm sorting through the samples.

Sorting these files using Ubuntu has some clear advantages over using Windows. In Ubuntu I can preview audio files in a folder by just hovering the mouse over the icon - no need to open an audio player. And as I mentioned already, I can drag and drop files between multiple folders using just a single window, because the Ubuntu folders support folder tabs. That has made manual file sorting a breeze compared to navigating cascading windows in Windows (which I had been doing for a decade prior to Ubuntu).
0 Votes
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Use Ubuntu then...
abm99 29th Sep 2009
I guess my comment is to go ahead and use Ubuntu, then. Win7 looks pretty good to me...
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@abm99
eMJayy 29th Sep 2009
I've been using it for close to two years already, which is why I don't find Win7 features that awe-inspiring. I plan on using Win7 instead of Vista for my audio workstation and my gaming machine, but that's about it.
0 Votes
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Question for you.
sqr(cos(180)) 29th Sep 2009
I assume (since you're using Ubuntu) that you really mean that Nautilus is the file browser which supports tabs. I'm using Mint 7 and my Nautilus doesn't "appear" to support previewing audio (MP3) files by hovering the mouse; I've set Preferences, Preview Sound Files to Always, but still don't get a preview.

What are you doing to get the preview?
0 Votes
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Good for you
Earthling2 Updated - 29th Sep 2009
Nice example, thanks.

In Windows, I'd create a folder with shortcuts to target folders, make them look very big and use these large shortcut icons as drop targets. This way you can actually have more targets in the same space than with tabs. You can click on any of them to see the folder contents and use back arrow to navigate back to the "shortcut directory" folter. I know, it's poor man's tabs, but it'd work for me.

You can play the files via preview pane, but one more click is still necessary. Windows media player previews the files, but it ain't much suitable for rearranging the music files.

Looks like if you like sorting files, Ubuntu is better. However there are interesting ways to manage file attributes in Windows that may be helpful. They don't look finished yet, but the promise is really there. For example, you can select multiple files and then edit their attributes in the large "details pane" at the bottom (it can be resized). Again, this way you can put different attributes on different files and then sort them using different orders when necesary (for example by author or by year).

Unfortunately, this thing doesn't seem complete. For example, while the phtographs can be tagged with multiple tags each, there is no such thing for music files. This shouldn't be difficult to add somehow.

I'm sure there is something like this in Ubuntu, too though, it's just another idea about arranging the files.

Have fun.
0 Votes
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This is where each OS has own advantages and negs.
kaninelupus 30th Sep 2009
Let's face it - every OS is different, each with its own pros and cons. And to be honest, have not seen tabs used that way in any of the other OS's have encountered to date. In all likelihood, if is popular enough in Ubuntu, and calls go out to the major OS devs, then it might make its way into Windows in some form... that's just the way these things evolve.

As to in-folder previewing, you simply need to open "Preview Sidebar" and can preview any media file in-folder. Personally, not sure I'd want file playing every time I simply hovered over them, s would drive me insane. This way, select and move mouse over to the sidebar to preview without actually opening in any media player.

Anyhow, different strokes for different folks happy
0 Votes
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I agree...it's pointless
bb_apptix 29th Sep 2009
When you need to use 4-5 folders at a time when sorting stuff, right-click the system tray and select show windows side by side.

Easier and more flexible than Aero snap to 1/2 screen size.
0 Votes
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But this works better with touch.
RGC6789 29th Sep 2009
Double click may seem more intuitive/easier with a
mouse, but OS's are having to move to allow for
more than a mouse for interface - touch for
instance. On a touch screen, double click is not
nearly as easy as dragging.
0 Votes
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Nope.
scorchgeek 29th Sep 2009
I don't agree with that. If you have used a
mouse for any length of time and can drag-and-
drop efficiently, dragging a window to the top
of the screen can be accomplished with a quick
snap. Double-clicking, although not exactly
complicated, takes more work.

Of course, you're unlikely to notice much
difference, but I use it all the time and it's
certainly not pointless. Everyone always
wonders what the heck I'm doing sliding windows
to the top when I'm not using Windows 7.
0 Votes
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Contributr
Definitely easier for me
Ed Bott 28th Sep 2009
But YMMV. Restoring in particular is easier because you can grab the title bar and drag it to a different position in one motion, no double-click required. With old technique, you have to double-click the title bar, then locate the restored window position, move mouse to title bar and click, then drag. On a large monitor (or multi monitors) that can be a lot of wasted motion.
0 Votes
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Try it on a touch screen monitor
AllKnowingAllSeeing 28th Sep 2009
which is what I believe they had in mind when developing it.
0 Votes
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It makes a LOT of sense with multiple monitors
CobraA1 28th Sep 2009
One of the nicest things about this action is on
multiple monitors - instead of "double click,
drag, double click," it's just a single drag from
the top of one monitor to another.

One motion, less clicks. Easier, especially with
multiple monitors.
0 Votes
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Agreed.
scorchgeek 29th Sep 2009
Having multiple monitors with maximized windows
always used to be a pain. Want to move a maximized
window off to the other monitor? You have to hit
the tiny maximize target or double-click, then
drag, then double-click again. Now one motion will
do it all. Especially if you grab right next to
the monitor you plan to move it to.
0 Votes
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Dragging is actually useful
ArnavM 29th Sep 2009
Its not useful when a window is in its default
restored state and double clicking might work
better, but for other restored state (like on the
side of the screen, I don't know what it is
called), dragging to top is much convenient.
0 Votes
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I would think it's...
PollyProteus 29th Sep 2009
...targeted towards touch screen systems and so gets the mouse behavior by default.
0 Votes
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At first....
kaninelupus 29th Sep 2009
I would have agreed with you, but have actually found extremely useful. "Snapping" two folders - one to each side of the screen, makes moving content from one folder to another (such as transferring content from downloads folder to resident locations such as Music and Videos folders) much simpler.
0 Votes
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Thanks Ed!
NonZealot 28th Sep 2009
I agree that Windows 7 has raised the bar on window management. It is so nice to see an example of real innovation. The term "innovation" has been severely degraded by a certain company that does nothing more than slap their logo on stuff that has been around for years. Cupertino, start your photocopiers!
0 Votes
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Oh the irony
Richard Flude 28th Sep 2009
Interested to see if Apple copies this innovation;-)

The irony of the comment is best demonstrated by windows
transformation into Mac OS X with 7 (a good thing).

As expected the ZDNet windows fawning begins. A comparison with SL
coverage will be forthcoming;-)
0 Votes
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LOL
John Zern 28th Sep 2009
The irony of the comment is best demonstrated by windows transformation into Mac OS X with 7

That's funny, seeing its so far from the truth.

Was that your attempt at sarcasm? happy
0 Votes
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nice
privatejarhead 28th Sep 2009
good to see windows having more features now. cant wait to get my copy of 7 when october 22 arrives (i get it free through toshiba).

although, ubuntu (and i belief most distros) have had these features for years; it's hardly any innovation on microsoft's part.
0 Votes
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RE: Windows 7 in action: A smarter way to manage windows
DannyO_0x98 28th Sep 2009
Nice tips.

Sorry to quibble with you, but I'm wondering if "subliminal"
would have been a better choice than "subconscious" for a
word that means barely noticed.

Since full-sizing and restore to prior-sizing were
accomplished with a double-click of the title bar, I'm not
getting the advantage of the drag to the top gesture. (But,
I will say that Windows double-clicking full makes more
sense to me than OS X's double click and minimize. The
old MacOS double click to the windowshade up was a
better choice, to my mind, than what they did with Aqua.)

Since you are having fun with both systems these days, I'll
mention I really like spring opening when copying.
Everyone's mileage varies, but I think it beats having to
open the two large enough windows. Also, hiding and
Expose (or multiple desktops on X.org/*nix) really assist
me with my workflow, as I mentioned the other day.
0 Votes
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Nice.
lostarchitect 28th Sep 2009
It's good to see these kind of controls popping up in
modern operating systems. It reminds me a lot of the new
trackpad controls in macbook pros. Also very intuitive. I
agree with Pliny above, I think all this is going towards
a more touch-based interface.
0 Votes
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Maximize by drag is awesome with multi-monitor setup
Earthling2 Updated - 28th Sep 2009
It saves you a bunch of double-clicks when you need to drag a maximized window from one monitor to another. Can be done with keyboard shortcuts, too.

Read more here: http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/17/designing-aero-snap.aspx.
0 Votes
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Does Win 7 have the following capabilities?
deaf_e_kate 29th Sep 2009
1. Pin a window on top of all others.
The demo only showed the ability to have 2 windows side-by-side to copy from one window to another.
2. Does opening a new window steal the focus from the existing open window?

These capabilities are so useful once you know about them (if you have a desktop windowing system that can do it)
0 Votes
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Contributr
Set on a per-app basis
Ed Bott 29th Sep 2009
Apps can add those capabilities, but they are not part of the default window management system in any version of Microsoft Windows.

There are many add-ons that allow this capability.
0 Votes
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Both "pin" and "not steal focus" are addons
deaf_e_kate 29th Sep 2009
or just the "pin"?

Seems a very primitive window manager for this day and age.

As i only have one screen the "pin" is essential for me when i need, for example, need to copy/paste between 2 documents in different apps. I don't need to waste my time resizing both apps to fit on the screen.

The "not stealing focus" cuts out a lot of key-ahead frustration when loading a few programs and allows me to do such things as scroll in the browser whilst the other program loads and runs.

Try these when you are playing with your linux desktops (i use KDE).
0 Votes
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Aero Snap . . .
CobraA1 29th Sep 2009
"for example, need to copy/paste between 2
documents in different apps. I don't need to
waste my time resizing both apps to fit on the
screen."

Drag one app to the left, the other to the
right. Both resize to fill half the screen - no
fiddling, no fuss. Aero Snap in Windows 7 makes
such a scenario easy.

"The 'not stealing focus' cuts out a lot of
key-ahead frustration when loading a few
programs and allows me to do such things as
scroll in the browser whilst the other program
loads and runs."

I'll have to try Windows 7 again to make sure,
but I think they may have improved the focusing
in Windows. Not 100% sure, though, I'll have to
try it again when I'm back into Windows 7.
0 Votes
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Thanks but i want to avoid that messing about
deaf_e_kate 30th Sep 2009
because most of the time i don't necessarily want it split 50-50.
I can also have 2 pinned windows open whilst viewing a full screen app underneath which also allows me to move the pinned windows around without losing sight of them.
0 Votes
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Funny thing about your comment
NonZealot 30th Sep 2009
If MS DID add that to Windows, you would be up in arms about how MS copies everything. happy

Anyway, sounds like Linux is working great for you. Excellent!! happy
0 Votes
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nope, wouldn't say that
deaf_e_kate 1st Oct 2009
its already a given. but then everyone borrows ideas from everyone else. Its only when someone borrows an idea and says (or implys) it was their innovation that posts get a bit heated. This has been MS's problem. Its fun hoisting people on their own petards.

I was just commenting that the Window manager was primitive and not the wonder that everyone is trying to say it is although it may have some eye candy.
0 Votes
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Win7 is missing "expose and spaces" Mac features
pupkin_z 29th Sep 2009
What I am missing most when I switch from my MBP to win7 is the "expose and spaces" features, espcially the latest ones in Snow Leopard. I do not understand why this cannot be included in windows.
0 Votes
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Contributr
Expos? yes, Spaces no
Ed Bott 29th Sep 2009
You can add the equivalent of the Spaces feature to Windows with a variety of third-party add-ons, but it is not part of the base OS. I know that MS looked pretty closely at this feature in user surveys and testing and determined that it is just not something that would be widely used. That doesn't mean it isn't a great thing for you, just that someone decided not to invest the development dollars in it for this upgrade. Especially with third-party tools widely available.

As for Expos?, Aero Peek (which I show in next week's demo) does much the same thing, frpoma different starting point. You can also get a similar feature, arguably not as elegant, by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Tab. That opens a central pane showing every open window. In Windows 7 you can then point to any icon in that space and see it in position.

This is definitely one place where you can have a lively debate about the differences between the Mac and Win7 interfaces.
0 Votes
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I dunno if it's really asked for that much.
CobraA1 29th Sep 2009
I dunno if it's really asked for that much. You
can get some third party apps that give you
virtual desktops if you want.

But it sounds a bit like something for the power
user, not the average Joe. I don't see my mother
being anything but confused with a bunch of
virtual desktops.
0 Votes
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For the benefit of those of us who haven't see a Mac,
Palmetto_CharlieSpencer 29th Sep 2009
What are 'expose' and 'spaces'?

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