How To: Preview open programs, folders and files in the Taskbar on Windows 7

Windows 7 is the hot, new operating system replacing the past XP and Vista systems. Windows 7 is the most simplified, user-friendly version that Microsoft has developed - ever. Get acquainted with your new version of Windows straight from Microsoft.

This video tour will show you how to use Live Taskbar Previews on Windows 7. See thumbnails of all your open programs.

With Windows XP, a taskbar shows the programs you've got open and lists the associated files you're working with. With Windows Vista, if you hover over a program on the taskbar you can see thumbnail images of files you have open with that program. But you can't interact with the files.

With Windows 7, you can point to a taskbar icon to see actual images of all of your open files or programs. Then, move your mouse over the image to preview the window full-screen. Click on the full screen image, and you can start working with it immediately. You can even close windows from the thumbnail previews—a big time saver.