Windows 7 beta: first look

Installing Windows 7 with Virtual PC removes the risks of breaking a working system with beta software Photograph: PR

The new taskbar icons both launch applications, and show which are running, though the distinction is hard to spot. Look for illumination at top left, and a sharper outline around what is running Photograph: PR

If multiple documents are open for a single application, and you have Aero graphic effects enabled, you get this preview list when hovering the mouse over a taskbar icon Photograph: PR

Taskbar previews can have controls on them, so you may not need to visit the full window at all Photograph: PR

The Action Center is intended as a one-stop location for system alerts and controls. Photograph: PR

The Notifications dialog lets you suppress annoying icons and messages Photograph: PR

Attach a Sansa Clip MP3 player, and this custom dialog appears. The idea is that each device gets its own unique window Photograph: PR

The Desktop Peek feature lets you see gadgets behind application windows Photograph: PR

Hover the mouse over a preview in the taskbar, and all other windows go transparent - note the outline boxes Photograph: PR

No Sidebar in Windows 7, but gadgets - small utilities - can be set always on top, but with opacity. This can look disconcerting Photograph: PR

Windows 7 homegroups are simple to create, and other users can join by entering a password Photograph: PR

Some documents in one folder, some in another. The libraries feature lets you view them together Photograph: PR

Activate the library by adding the folders you want, and setting one as the default save location Photograph: PR

Now all the documents appear in a single list - but two documents in different folders but with the same name can look identical Photograph: PR

The Jump List is another taskbar feature, presenting a quick menu customised for an application Photograph: PR

Sharing media across a homegroup is flexible, though it does not interoperate with Apple's iTunes Photograph: PR

Paint in Windows 7 has a "scenic ribbon" menu, as does WordPad, though that is the only place the ribbon appears Photograph: PR

The scenic ribbon in WordPad Photograph: PR