Where have all my files gone?

There are several ways to access files you saved to the network or PC stores.

  • Your networked files (previously U: drive) are located in ‘My Documents’ in the ‘Document’ library. This can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Windows Explorer’ icon on the ’Task Bar’, click the expand icon alongside ‘Documents’, and then click on the ‘My Documents’ folder.
  • Notice that you also have other Libraries for organising your music, images and videos.
  • The ‘Public Documents’ library is for temporary storage on your PCs hard drive.My Documents

Alternative routes to the same location are as follows:

  • Click on the Microsoft button (aka ‘Start’) then click on your name ‘My Documents’.
  • Click on the Microsoft button (aka ‘Start’) then click on ‘Computer’ to access from the navigation pane

Please remember that unless you save your files to ‘My Documents’ you will not be able to see them on other networked PCs, and if your hard drive fails your work will be lost.

Taskbar thumbnails – or no thumbnails!

Do the thumbnail images which appear as you hover your mouse over program and system icons on the Taskbar make you feel a bit queasy? Would you rather your open programs, web pages and folders have their own icon on the Taskbar, as in Windows XP? No worries, this feature of Windows 7 is easy to adjust to your personal preference.

  • Right click on the Taskbar (bar at the bottom of your screen)
  • Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu (you should now see the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties box)
  • Make sure the Taskbar tab is selected
  • Look for the ‘Taskbar and buttons’ option
  • From the dropdown box alongside select either ‘Combine when taskbar is full’ or, if you really hate loath and detest the thumbnail previews, select ‘Never combine’
  • Click the ‘Apply’ button and notice the change to your Taskbar.

If you have a change of heart, just change the ‘Taskbar and buttons’ setting back again.

Introducing the Sample button


When photocopying a document a large number of times it is often useful to use the Sample button. The Sample button is white, round and located directly above the green Copy button.

Pressing this button will produce one copy of the document, perfect for checking before you produce lots more copies. Also, this sample copy is included in the total number of copies required – which makes it much easier than setting up the photocopier to print 1 copy then changing it for 99 more copies.