Originally submitted at O’Reilly

This compact book offers the quickest path for Windows XP and Vista users to get started with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. With Windows 7: Up and Running, you get the essential information you need to upgrade or install the system and configure it to fit your activities, along…

Windows 7: Up and Running

A Great Primer for Mom, Dad & Friends

Pros: Helpful examples, Concise, Easy to understand

Best Uses: Novice, Beginner, Intermediate

Describe Yourself: Sys Admin, Developer

Nowadays almost everyone from grandma to the kid who lives next door is online and has a computer. The digital age has meant that many of us know the basics of how to use a computer, get online and do basic tasks — but for many users they learn a particular way of doing things, and when software (or the OS) changes they find themselves scratching their heads wondering where things went and how they got changed. In this handy primer guide the author has done a fairly good job of helping get casual end-users up to speed on Windows 7.

The book walks you through many of the features that have changed and introduces you to some of the new functionality of the OS (for example, Libraries in Windows 7). It also walks users through common “gothcas” and things to be aware of (for example, why all sites don’t support the use of Web Slices in IE8). Sidebars and a generous library of pictures help to call the reader’s attention to specific items.

I was a little dissapointed in the Installation Chapter of the book, and thus took away one star. Though the author covers netbooks and dual-booting, the issue of upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 is never covered. So let me cover it right here: ALWAYS DO A FRESH, CLEAN INSTALL — NEVER DO AN IN PLACE UPGRADE! Given the brevity of of the chapter on installation, and the main focus of the book, I feel this chapter could even be taken out without taking away from the book.

This book would make an excellent gift for mom and dad, or that friend who just bought a new computer with Windows 7 on it. It’s a good primer for getting started with Windows 7 and making the jump to help keep your digital life a bit more organized and productive!

A co-worker of mine was going through this agony today when I finally found this little tip posted online, and thought I’d share it with the world.  If nothing else, hopefully it can save you the 3 hours he spent pulling his hair out trying to figure it out!

To move a hidden window that is off screen in Windows (XP and above):

1. Hold down Alt + Spacebar
2. Press the M key
3. Use the arrow keys to relocate the window
4. Press the Enter key when you have the Window in the desired location.