Chapter 1. Shake Hands with Windows 7
In This Chapter
Celebrating the advantages of Windows 7
Starting and shutting down Windows 7
Introducing Windows controls
Using the keyboard
Searching for help
Contacting Microsoft for support
The Windows 7 operating system offers the most current appearance, performance, and functionality available for your PC — that is, as long as you're using an Intel or Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processor with sufficient muscle. If you're using an older Pentium or Athlon single-processor machine, consider sticking with Windows XP because your PC doesn't have the necessary horsepower to provide real performance in Windows 7.
In this chapter, I present you with the beginning of your Windows 7 manual — the invaluable, indispensable paper volume that you didn't get when you bought Windows 7 or your PC. (Can you tell that I used to write software user manuals?) This book assumes no experience with Windows, so I start with shutting down your PC and the most important controls and keys that you use in the following chapters.
A Windows 7 Primer
Start off by seeing what's new in Windows 7. And for those readers on the fence trying to decide whether to upgrade — and whether your current machine has the juice to support Windows 7 — I've got you covered.
Why Windows 7, anyway?
If you're wondering why Windows 7 is the pick of the Microsoft litter — and why it's time to upgrade from an older Windows version, such as 2000, XP, or Vista — allow me to point out the advantages of ...
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