Hi Brad,
I use XP XP2, and yes, you can enlarge the pointer and have animated concentric circles locate it for you. I too depend hugely on shortcuts, especially in the task bar. I wasn't aware that you couldn't do that with Win7. I guess that's why I just read that XP remains MS's most popular system and is on 2/3rds of the computers in the world. The remaining 1/3 is shared by Linux, MAC, etc. and all other Windows OSs. MS is trying every trick they can think of to get people to leave XP for a later version of Windows because their OS spyware and controlware won't work on XP (well, a little of it will if you install SP3 or use WGA or WinLive*). The new IE9 won't work on XP, but who uses IE any more? HTML5 won't work on XP, but no one is using it except MS. etc. If/When I have to leave XP, it will be for Linux, not more MS.
I thought I read something about software that could make Win7 "look & act like" XP, maybe you could try Google to find it. Also, what about putting the shortcut in the START button menu? If you set the number of programs in the START Menu to zero, then you can drag whatever you want there, and it will stay. Granted, it's two clicks instead of one, but it's better than having to search for it. But again, that's XP, Win7 may not let you do that, I don't know, but you could check and see.
I tried Google with "win 7 look like xp" and got over 20 pages of hits - apparently you aren't the only one, by a long shot, with Win7 who misses XP features. Some of the articles specifically address the XP/Win7 taskbar problem.
Good Luck,
AnnaSummers
----- Original Message -----
From: Brad
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 11:59 AM
Subject: Re: XP Features in Win 7 ?
David,
The beauty of Win7 and I learned this from Carl Siechert author of "Win7 Inside & Out" who is on another list I subscribe, is the search feature. Using just the Windows key just start typing 'services' and it will appear right now. Use this to run any program, feature, or to find any document. It's fast and for me keeps all the desktop clutter away.
As to the mouse did you have IntelliPoint software with an MS mouse installed under XP? Or a Logitech? Most of the mouse mfg. have software that adds these features to the standard MS pointers. I just upgraded IntelliType for my keyboard from MS Downloads.
Brad Loomis
-----Original Message-----
I've recently got a new machine running Windows 7, and there were two
ways I had customized XP that I haven't yet found how to duplicate with
this new OS. I'll be slightly disappointed if these functions are
actually missing -- I'm hoping I just need pointers to how to achieve
these effects:
1. I've found it convenient to have a desktop shortcut directly to the
"Services" management applet. (This is so I can turn off Apple's
unnecessary services, especially "Bonjour", after each time I update
QuickTime/iTunes.) I can live with navigating there throgh the Control
Panel if I must, but a direct shortcut is nice. Under XP, I just
dragged the icon to the desktop and I think chose "Create Shortcut
Here".
2. I continue to have minor visual issues as a result of a mild stroke
back in January. I found most of the XP features intended to assist
users with impairments or disabilities unhelpful, if not outrightly
antagonistic, but there was an option (under Control Panel->Mouse, I
think) to load a set of oversize mouse cursors, and I think it was that
that also made it so if I press and release the Ctrl key, a concentric
circular "wave" on the screen shows me where the cursor has got to.
Are these effects available in Win 7? If so, how?
David Gillett
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