Sure, the new Windows 7 taskbar is still the same familiar place for switching between windows. But now it's easier to see, more flexible, and more powerful.

Jump Lists

With Jump Lists, you can get right to the documents, pictures, songs, and websites you use most often simply by right-clicking a program button on the taskbar. You'll also find Jump Lists on the Start menu—just click the arrow next to the program name.

Jump Lists take you straight to your favorites.

Pinning

In Windows 7 you can pin favorite programs anywhere on the taskbar for easy access. Not crazy about the button lineup? Rearrange them any way you like by clicking and dragging. You can even pin individual documents and websites to Jump Lists on your taskbar.

Pin a program to your taskbar for easy access.

Live taskbar previews

In Windows 7, you can point to a taskbar button to see a live preview of its open windows—including webpages and live video. Move your mouse over a thumbnail to preview the window full screen, and click it to go open the window. You can even close windows and pause video and songs from the thumbnail previews—a big time saver.

Live taskbar previews are available only in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.