- #10: More Intuitive Control Panel Categories
- #9: Better Notifications If Your System Has a Problem
- #8: Better Network Management and Troubleshooting
- #7: More Powerful Taskbar
- #6: Integrated Windows Media Center
- #5: Better File and System Backup
- #4: Better Management of Devices and Printers
- #3: Device Stage
- #2: Better File Management with Libraries
- #1: Easier Recovery from System Failure
- How to Stay with Windows XP and Move Up to Windows 7
#9: Better Notifications If Your System Has a Problem
In Windows XP, you must move between various parts of the Control Panel if your system has a problem: the Security Center to check for firewall, antivirus, or anti-malware problems; the system drive's properties sheet for defrag or disk checking; the System properties sheet to run System Restore; and so on.
In Windows 7, the days of clicking through multiple dialogs to solve security or maintenance system problems are over. The new Action Center (see Figure 2) makes it easy to find and fix problems, tweak User Account Control settings, troubleshoot your computer (with troubleshooters that really work!), and run System Restore if your system is seriously clobbered.
Figure 2 Windows 7's Action Center gives you quick access to troubleshooting, security, and maintenance tools.