Your first hour with Windows 7

Windows 7 makes it easy to overcome hardware issues and get your PC secure. Once Windows 7 is installed, the first thing you should do is to get your internet connection up and running. How you go about this is highly dependent on the type of setup you use to connect to your ISP, so referring to your manuals is advisable.
With most broadband setups, it's normally a case of plugging in the network cable or connecting to your old wireless network, and everything should start working. To join, just click on the network icon in your system tray and select Connect to wireless network. When your PC is connected to the web, the network icon has a plug on it, rather than a red X. Alternatively, if you use dial-up or special software to connect to your internet service provider, go through the relevant installation process.
Once you've successfully connected to the internet, it's a good time to check that all your hardware is working correctly. If you have installed the operating system yourself, there's a chance that some of your drivers might not have been found. Especially for obscure components such as build-in card readers. Check that all your hardware is installed by heading to the device Manager and using Start search. Any items of hardware that haven't been installed properly are marked by an exclamation mark, and if that's the case, it's time to hunt down the drivers.
Once you've connected to the web, it's time to check your hardware. Your first port of call for missing hardware drivers should be Windows Update, because the service can tell which hardware you have installed, and go and find the latest drivers. After a couple of restarts, everything should be working correctly, but if you still have elusive drivers, it's best to go to your PC manufacturer's website and find the specific bundle for your Pc and install them manually. The drivers should be located in the support or download sections of most manufacturers' websites. Make sure that you get the Windows 7 versions of each.
Once everything's working correctly, it's time to attend to Windows itself. In previous versions, anything that required your attention would flash up in a balloon at the bottom of the screen, which could be annoying. In Windows 7, all notifications are relegated to the new Action Centre, which keeps all of those messages in one place until you're ready. The Action Centre is represented by a tiny flag on the right-hand side of the taskbar a single click opens a small box that lists all the items that need attention, quick links to fix the problems, and the opportunity to open the full window.
The main problem when you first start with a new operating system is security.
When you install an operating system, you're immediately vulnerable to malware, so it's imperative that your next action is to secure your PC. Windows 7 comes with a built-in firewall, which helps keep out nasties, but offers no antivirus or antispyware capability to protect against more sophisticated attacks.
If you don't already have a security suite and need free protection, grab Microsoft Security Essentials from www.microsoft.com/security _essentials. It's also a good idea to add a behavioural system such as ThreatFire (www.threatfire.com), which is designed to sit alongside existing security.

Customise the look and feel of Windows 7
Windows 7 is a good- looking operating system, right from the moment of the installation. Like previous versions, Windows 7 comes with loads of great desktop themes, wallpapers and screensavers to help you personalise your PC. What's more, tweaking Windows 7 is extremely easy thanks to the Appearance and Personalization window that collects all the tools you need in one place.
The best thing about customising the look of Windows 7 is that you can give it a personal touch. If your family uses the same PC, you can create user accounts for each of them so they can customise Windows 7 the way they want to - thus avoiding arguments over tastes in desktop wallpapers. Step-by-step personalising Windows 7
1. Bring up the options
To open up the Appearance and Personalization window, simply right-click on your desktop and select Personalize from the drop-down menu. You can also access the personalisation options by clicking Start button and typing Personalization into the search box.
2. Choose your theme
Themes are groups of wallpapers, sounds, colour schemes and screensavers that have a common subject or feel to them. For example, the Nature theme brings together wallpapers and colours based around the concept of nature. Click on a theme and it's applied straight away.
3. Change your background
You can also customise the default themes that come with Windows 7. Click Desktop Background to select the image that you want displayed on your desktop. You can add your own photos by clicking Browse. If you want more than one background, tick the box next to the image.
4. Change the window colour
Windows 7 uses the fantastic-looking Aero interface, and it's easy to change the colour to suit your tastes. Click Window Colour and select the colour you want your windows and taskbar to be. You can alter the colour intensity, hue saturation and brightness to get it just right.
5. Change the sounds
In Windows 7 you can fully customise the sounds played when certain tasks are performed. Click Sounds and then choose a sound scheme. These are collections of sounds grouped together in themes. Click Browse... to add your own sounds and click Save as to save your custom scheme.
6. Swap your screensaver
Screensavers can help prevent damage to your monitor when you are not using it. You can change the style of screensaver and the length of time your computer is inactive before it turns on by clicking Screen Saver. Display your own photos by choosing the photos screensaver then clicking Settings...
7. Alter your desktop icons
If you are used to older versions of Windows where there are icons on your desktop for Computer and Documents, you can add them by clicking Change desktop icons. Select which icons you want to appear on your desktop and click Change icon.., to alter the image.
8. Save your theme
Congratulations, you've created your very own Windows 7 theme! The appearance of Windows 7 is now just the way you like it, giving your computer a personal touch. Click Save theme and then type in a name. You can then revert back to this theme whenever you like and even share it with friends!