Windows 7: Tips for Success
First Time using Windows 7
The first time you use Windows 7, please take the time to make sure that you are able to perform the
tasks below. If you have technical difficulties, document the problem and contact your ITSS (Information
Technology Systems Specialist) or create a Help Desk ticket. Additional Windows 7 resources and
tutorials can be accessed from the Getting Started with Windows 7 training site in myMCPS.
Login Information

When logging on to your computer, there is no longer a pull-down menu for domain. The username
and password that you will use to login to your computer is exactly the same as your normal MCPS
username and password.
The School Menu in Windows 7
When you log onto your computer, you will see the new Windows School Menu for staff members.
 On the left-hand side of the School Menu, you will see
two sections: one labeled Computer for easy access to
your network drives, and one labeled Programs for quick
access to applications.
 To expand and collapse these menus, click on the arrow
beside the Computer section and/or the Program
section.
 When you click once on a drive within the Computer
section it will open in a new window.
 When you click once on a folder from the Programs
section, options appear in the right-hand side of the
window. Double-click to select your choice.
 If your School Menu has been closed, click on the Start
button at the bottom left-hand side of your screen, go to
All Programs, and open the School Menu.
The Taskbar and Windows 7
 When you open applications in Windows 7, an icon for each
application will appear on your Taskbar at the bottom lefthand side of your screen next to the Start button.
Start
button
Word is
open
Explorer
is open
 When you hover your mouse on one of the application icons in the Taskbar, a
preview of open files for that application will appear. This allows you to move
from one to another just by clicking on them.
Word
doc 1
Word
doc 2
Windows 7: Tips for Success
Office of the Chief Technology Officer – Montgomery County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Page 1 of 4
The My Documents Folder
There are two ways to access the My
Documents folder.
 From the School Menu in the Computer
section, click on the My Documents
folder once, and it will open in a new
window.
 A second way to open the My
Documents folder is from the
Programs section on the left-hand
side of the School Menu. Under
Programs,  click on the My
Computer folder once and then
 double-click the My Documents
folder on the right-hand side to
open it in a new window.
Changes to Opening Documents: No More “Up One Level” Icon
In the previous operating system, Windows
XP, when you opened a document from
within an application like Word, you could
navigate to other folders by going to the
drop down menu or to the “Up One Level”
icon from the Open dialogue box.
Windows XP
Windows 7: Tips for Success
Office of the Chief Technology Officer – Montgomery County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Page 2 of 4
Windows 7
In Windows 7, when opening a document from
within an application like Word, there are two ways
to navigate to a document located in a different
folder:

In the address bar, click on the name of the
folder in which the document resides.

If the folder in which the document resides
isn’t showing, click on the double arrows to
get a list of higher level folders.
Getting to Outlook
Outlook is still located in the School Menu under
Programs in the Staff Applications folder. Doubleclick the Outlook icon to log in.
Note: If you had a Signature setup in Outlook,
you will have to recreate it. Within Outlook, go to
File > Options > Mail > Signatures to open the
Signatures and Stationary dialogue box.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is located under Programs on the
left-hand side of the School Menu in the Internet
folder.
 Double-click the Internet Explorer icon to launch
the application. The Internet can also be accessed
by typing a Web address into any Office
application.
Windows 7: Tips for Success
Office of the Chief Technology Officer – Montgomery County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Page 3 of 4
Locking, Logging Off, Restarting, and Shutting Down
Instead of having to log-off your
computer when unattended, you can
now lock it! To lock your computer,
go to the Start menu, click on the
arrow next to the Log Off button,
and select Lock.
Switch user
Note: To quickly lock your computer from the keyboard,
hold down the Windows logo key + L.
SEC\username
To unlock your computer, re-enter your password.
The Shutdown folder is located under Programs on the lefthand side of the School Menu. From there, you can log-off,
shutdown, or restart as you have in the past
Note:
 After 60 minutes of inactivity, computers logged in by a staff member will automatically lock. Staff can
unlock a computer by re-entering their password.
 After 60 minutes of inactivity, computers logged in by a student will automatically log off. Students can
respond to a prompt to stay logged in.
 Computers that are not logged in will automatically go into sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity.
To wake up a machine, tap any key, press any mouse button, or press the Power button.
 All computers will shut down automatically at 6:00 p.m. every night. Users who are logged in will
receive a warning message at 5:45 p.m. Staff can cancel this action at any point within the 15 minute
warning period or restart the computer if they are automatically shut down. If you continue to work
after 6:00 p.m., you will receive a warning message every fifteen minutes unless you restart the
machine.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your instructional technology specialist
at the Department of Instructional Technology at 240-314-2250.
Windows 7: Tips for Success
Office of the Chief Technology Officer – Montgomery County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Page 4 of 4