Abstract: In an electronic file system, preview information is provided to the user during a drag operation of a selected object onto a target object. The information indicates what type(s) of action is to be taken should the selected object be dropped onto the target object. The action(s) to be taken may depend upon the type of the selected object and/or the type of the target object. For example, where the selected object is an item and the target object is a persisted auto-list, the action may include adding, removing, or modifying one or more properties of the selected object to conform to one or more criteria defined by the persisted auto-list. Also, numerical feedback may be provided to the user where multiple objects are selected. For example, where seven objects are selected, the textual number “7” may appear next to the cursor.

Abstract: In an electronic file system, preview information is provided to the user during a drag operation of a selected object onto a target object. The information indicates what type(s) of action is to be taken should the selected object be dropped onto the target object. The action(s) to be taken may depend upon the type of the selected object and/or the type of the target object. For example, where the selected object is an item and the target object is a persisted auto-list, the action may include adding, removing, or modifying one or more properties of the selected object to conform to one or more criteria defined by the persisted auto-list. Also, numerical feedback may be provided to the user where multiple objects are selected. For example, where seven objects are selected, the textual number “7” may appear next to the cursor.

Abstract: Methods and systems providing a user interface control allowing a user to specify a scope of items on a computer system or network is disclosed. Certain aspects provide an input control through which a user can specify an explicit scope, or range, of items, while also identifying explicit exclusions from the specified scope, thereby reducing ambiguity regarding identification of items included and items excluded from the scope. When a user explicitly selects an item for inclusion in the scope, the explicitly selected item is added to the scope definition, and all descendants of the explicitly selected item are implicitly selected for inclusion. When a user explicitly selects an item for exclusion from the scope, the explicitly selected item is added to the scope definition as an exclusion from an explicitly included item, and all descendants of the explicitly selected item are implicitly selected for exclusion.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media for visually emphasizing small and typically unnoticed portions of a user interface are provided. A user indicates a desire to modify or customize certain settings for a particular portion of a user interface by, for example, opening a control panel window. Portions that can be modified or customized include a toolbar, taskbar, or system tray. The portion may be magnified or highlighted to draw the user's attention to that area, and any modifications that the user makes to that portion may be immediately displayed on the emphasized portion, which establishes a clear visual association between a set of configuration options for the portion of the user interface, and the portion itself. The portion may be emphasized at different times, such as when the configuration settings are displayed, when the user makes a change, or after the changes have been made.

Abstract: A file operations engine is provided that manages many user interactions with their files via a computer system. The operation engine may place certain classes of errors in an error queue while performing a requested operation without waiting for a user to satisfy the errors prior to continuing with the operation. In addition, the operations engine may pre-calculate potential errors for a requested operation prior to performing the operation. Dialogs may be provided to a user to satisfy errors listed in an error queue and/or identified while pre-calculating potential errors. Methods are provided for handling file operations errors and for interacting with a user interface for file operations. Computer-executable instructions for implementing the disclosed methods are stored on computer-readable media.

Abstract: A method and system of creating and customizing multiple roots in a navigation pane are described. By selecting desired pages and adding them to the navigation pane, users may create multiple roots with which to navigate. A multiple roots navigation system permits the user to bypass irrelevant pages while reducing the amount of information presented in the navigation pane. The individual root nodes may further be customized to reflect ownership, importance or general aesthetic preferences. Using multiple roots, a user is not restricted to a single hierarchical display structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system, and media for intelligently presenting buttons that correspond to running windows as well as a set of application launchers that launch instances of software applications. One version of the method includes receiving an indication that an instance of a software application has been invoked by a launching mechanism, which leads to creating a windowed process in which to present the instance of the software application; determining that at least one of the application launchers was the launching mechanism; automatically removing the launcher(s) from view; and presenting a button that corresponds to the windowed process.