how do you transfer files from windows 7 pc to ipad2

Usually that is a function of the app you choose to view or edit those files. For example, I only need those types of files (except powerpoint) to read only. So I use GoodReader. GoodReader provides me a wifi method to transfer files.

There are a number of ways to get the documents onto your iPad - but as the previous reply says, you first need an app on your iPad that is capable of reading/storing them (and I also use GoodReader). iBooks is a free option for PDFs.

How to then get the documents onto the iPad depends on the app that you've got. GoodReader has a wifi facility, iBooks uses the books part of your computer's iTunes library, some apps use the bottom of the device's apps tab in iTunes for file sharing (which GoodReader also uses), and you can also email them to yourself and then use the 'open in' function in the Mail app.

There is a section on using file sharing in chapter 3 of the iPad manual, which can be downloaded from here : http://support.apple.com/manuals/#ipad

There are frankly, a zillion ways of achieving this.

There are utilities - like the excellent iFiles - which allow you to connect via wi-fi and just drag and drop your files into the App's file structure.

There are cloud services like MobileMe or the wonderful free service, Dropbox. Then you can just put your files into the cloud from your PC and see them on your iPad. Most 'Office' type apps, like Documents 2 Go, support Dropbox and MobileMe.

There are many solutions here.

Connecting the iPad via USB to a PC and then dragging the file over the iPad in Windows Explorer...this doesn't seem to be an option. Which is absolutely ridiculous.

Why should I need to upload a file from my PC over the network only to then download over the network to my iPad when they are sitting right next to each other and I have a cable that connects them?

You don't have to use a network - does the app that you want to transfer files to support the file sharing section on the Apps tab in iTunes ?

I can't install iTunes on my work PC

I want to be able to view a rather large PowerPoint file on my iPad for a meeting later today and I am forced to emailing the file to my Gmail account, then downloading it onto my iPad which could take a while over my 3G PC connection and then hotel WiFi.

Whereas, a simple UCB connection would be able to xfer this file in seconds between the PC and iPad, if only the iPad allowed me to use it as a mass storage device. Seems ridiculous that it is not allowed to be configured this way when connecting to a PC with or without iTunes installed.

Then I would recommend talking to your IT department about allowing you to install iTunes on your computer, since you are using it for work and not for playing media.

You could look into Documents to Go. It is a word processing app that also includes access to a desktop program that allows you to wirelessly sync documents from your ipad to your computer. Presuming there's a wifi network that you can access. There's also Readdle Docs which has a browser in it, and the ability to 'send' your downloaded files to an app to open it.

The iPad doesn't have the same kind of 'one giant file system that everything accesses' programming like computers do. Each app operates relatively independantly of each other, which is one reason it's hard to get a virus on an iPad.

You could also look into devices like the iDrive I think it's called. Which is usb on one end, 30 pin on the other. Use the USB to put your files on from your computer, the 30 pin (and app) to access them on the iPad. There are also Wifi enabled harddrives, the main one the Seagate GoFlex, but it's pretty new and has mixed reviews.

I appreciate the suggestions (making my IT department allow me to install iTunes, installing this app or that app), however ...

I just find it ridiculous that the iPad doesn't support simple copying files directly from storage on a PC to the storage on the iPad via USB, without having to go through an app to do it (either wired or wireless). There is a file system and communication mechanism in place on both devices, why not just give users the option to use it?

I can't think of a single other device that has mass storage that doesn't allow for copying/moving files between connected devices.

You're going to have to install a program on your computer, or use a cloud storage app, or a device like the iDrive or Seagate. I understand that you're frustrated, but there is no other option. I know you want to copy the devices from one to another by drag and drop, but the iPad doesn't allow it. All we can do on this forum is give you advice on how to do what is possible.