Microsoft Tweaks Windows 7 (Beta) Features

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Microsoft Tweaks Windows 7 (Beta) Features

engine

6:40 pm on Feb 27, 2009 (gmt 0)

Microsoft Tweaks Windows 7 (Beta) Features [informationweek.com]

In response to user feedback, Microsoft has made numerous changes to the Windows 7 user interface as it readies the operating system--viewed by many as a make or break product for the software maker-for formal launch later this year or early next year. Included in the changes, which number three dozen, is a new keyboard shortcut that allows the user to launch an application simply by pressing the Windows logo key in combination with a number that corresponds to the apps' order in the Quick Launch menu. For example, if an application is listed fourth in Quick Launch, it could be opened by pressing the Windows key in convert with the number 4 key.

[edited by: bill at 10:34 pm (utc) on Feb. 27, 2009]
[edit reason] speeling [/edit]

bill

10:50 pm on Feb 27, 2009 (gmt 0)

I guess we'll have to wait for the Release Candidate to see these changes?

Robert Charlton

4:22 am on Feb 28, 2009 (gmt 0)

...a new keyboard shortcut that allows the user to launch an application simply by pressing the Windows logo key in combination with a number that corresponds to the apps' order in the Quick Launch menu....

Do they have a feature that numbers the items in the Quick Launch menu? ;)

kaled

1:17 pm on Feb 28, 2009 (gmt 0)

It's a nice idea, but few people know about and use keyboard shortcuts. For instance, how many people use Alt-F4 to close an application? Answer : not many (people use the close button, instead especially in Vista - it's just so hypnotically beautiful - or maybe not).

If new keyboard shortcuts are the most significant change, then I don't think the world will exactly flip on its axis!

Kaled.

bill

12:10 am on Mar 1, 2009 (gmt 0)

I agree that keyboard shortcuts are verging on the geek world for many, but perhaps it's because they simply aren't more well known. I'm amazed when I am able to teach a long time Windows user about the joys of the

Ctrl+C

and

Ctrl+V

keyboard shortcuts for Copy and Paste.

Shortcuts that open specific programs have been more difficult to implement. It requires registry hacks or additional software to implement. If MS makes it a bit easier to setup these sort of shortcuts I can imagine it might catch on a bit more. MS should advertise this point.