Windows 7 2010 Windows 7 Images

Infobox OS version

name = Windows 7
family = Microsoft Windows
logo = Windows 7 logo.svg
screenshot = Windows_7.png
caption = Screenshot of Windows 7 Ultimate
developer = Microsoft
website = Official Website
source_model = Closed source / Shared source
license = MS-EULA
supported_platforms = IA-32, x86-64
kernel_type = Hybrid
updatemodel = Windows Update
first_release_date = RTM:''' 22 July 2009
'''Retail: 22 October 2009
first_release_url = http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/22/windows-7-has-been-released-to-manufacturing.aspx
release_version = 6.1 )

release_date =
release_url = http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/22/windows-7-has-been-released-to-manufacturing.aspx
support_status = Mainstream support until 13 January 2015.
other_articles =

Development of Windows 7
Features new to Windows 7
List of features removed in Windows 7
Windows 7 editions

date = January 2009
Windows 7 is a version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time. Windows 7 will be succeeded by Windows 8, which has no release date as of yet. Unlike its predecessor, Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible.

Development

Originally, a version of Windows codenamed ''Blackcomb'' was planned as the successor to Windows XP (codename Whistler) and Windows Server 2003. Major features were planned for Blackcomb, including an emphasis on searching and querying data and an advanced storage system named WinFS to enable such scenarios. However, an interim, minor release, codenamed "Longhorn," was announced for 2003, delaying the development of Blackcomb. Blackcomb was renamed ''Vienna'' in early 2006 The first external release to select Microsoft partners came in January 2008 with Milestone 1, build 6519. At PDC 2008, Microsoft demonstrated Windows 7 with its reworked taskbar. Copies of Windows 7 build 6801 were distributed at the end of the conference; however, the demonstrated taskbar was disabled in this build. On December 27, 2008, Windows 7 Beta was leaked onto the Internet via BitTorrent. The download limit was also extended, initially until January 24, then again to February 10. People who did not complete downloading the beta had two extra days to complete the download. After February 12, unfinished downloads became unable to complete. Users could still obtain product keys from Microsoft to activate their copies of Windows 7 Beta, which expired on August 1, 2009. The release candidate, build 7100, became available for MSDN and TechNet subscribers and Connect Program participants on April 30, 2009. On May 5, 2009 it became available to the general public, although it had also been leaked onto the Internet via BitTorrent. Windows 7 is written in C, C++, and assembly.

Goals

Bill Gates, in an interview with'' Newsweek'', suggested that this version of Windows would be more "user-centric". Senior Vice President Bill Veghte stated that Windows Vista users migrating to Windows 7 would not find the kind of device compatibility issues they encountered migrating from Windows XP.

Features

New and changed features

, which replaces Windows Security Center Windows 7 includes a number of new features, such as advances in touch and handwriting recognition, support for virtual hard disks, improved performance on multi-core processors, Windows Security Center has been renamed to Windows Action Center (Windows Health Center and Windows Solution Center in earlier builds), which encompasses both security and maintenance of the computer. The default setting for User Account Control in Windows 7 has been criticized for allowing untrusted software to be launched with elevated privileges without a prompt by exploiting a trusted application.

cite web

url=http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration/?p=1826
title=Windows 7 UAC flaw: "Pandora's box of all vulnerabilities"
author=Zack Whittaker
date=2009-06-12
accessdate=2009-06-14
Microsoft's Windows kernel engineer Mark Russinovich acknowledged the problem, but noted that malware can also compromise a system when users agree to a prompt.

cite web

url=http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.07.uac.aspx
title=User Account Control Inside Windows 7 User Account Control
publisher=Microsoft Corporation
first=Mark
last=Russinovich
accessdate=2009-06-14
Windows 7 also supports Mac-like RAW image viewing through the addition of WIC-enabled image decoders, which enables raw image thumbnails, previewing and metadata display in Windows Explorer, plus full-size viewing and slideshows in Windows Photo Viewer and Window Media Center. The taskbar has seen the biggest visual changes, where the Quick Launch toolbar has been replaced with pinning applications to the taskbar. Buttons for pinned applications are integrated with the task buttons. These buttons also enable the ''Jump Lists'' feature to allow easy access to common tasks. Dragging windows to the left/right edges of the screen allows users to snap documents or files on either side of the screen for comparison between windows. When a user moves windows that were maximized using Aero Snap, the system restores their previous state automatically. This functionality is also accomplished with keyboard shortcuts. Unlike in Windows Vista, window borders and the taskbar do not turn opaque when a window is maximized with Windows Aero applied. Instead, they remain translucent. For developers, Windows 7 includes a new networking API with support for building SOAP-based web services in native code (as opposed to .NET-based WCF web services), Internet Spades, Internet Backgammon and Internet Checkers, which were removed from Windows Vista, were restored in Windows 7. Windows 7 includes Internet Explorer 8 and Windows Media Player 12. Users are also able to disable many more Windows components than was possible in Windows Vista. New additions to this list of components include Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, Windows Search, and the Windows Gadget Platform.

Removed features

A number of capabilities and certain programs that were a part of Windows Vista are no longer present or have been changed, resulting in the removal of certain functionalities. These include the classic Start Menu user interface, some taskbar features, Windows Explorer features, Windows Media Player features, Windows Ultimate Extras and InkBall. Four applications bundled with Windows Vista — Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Calendar and Windows Mail — are not included with Windows 7, but applications with mostly similar functionality are instead available for free in a separate package called Windows Live Essentials which can be found on the Microsoft website. Although Windows Ultimate Extras was removed, many of the extras are able to be installed. Most popular extras were Microsoft Texas Hold 'em, Microsoft Tinker, and Windows DreamScene. InkBall may also be installed into Windows 7.

Antitrust regulatory attention

As with other Microsoft operating systems, Windows 7 is being studied by United States federal regulators who oversee the company's operations following the 2001 ''United States v. Microsoft'' settlement. According to status reports filed, the three-member panel began assessing prototypes of the new operating system in February 2008. Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Jupiter Research said that, "[Microsoft's] challenge for Windows 7 will be how can they continue to add features that consumers will want that also don't run afoul of regulators."

Editions

In order to comply with European antitrust regulations, Microsoft has proposed the use of a "ballot" screen, allowing users to download a competing browser, thus removing the need for a version of Windows completely without Internet Explorer, as previously planned. As with previous versions of Windows, an N version, which does not come with Windows Media Player, has been released in Europe, but only for sale directly from Microsoft sales websites and select others.

Reception

In July 2009, in only eight hours, pre-orders of Windows 7 at Amazon.co.uk surpassed the demand Windows Vista had in its first 17 weeks. According to Net Applications, Windows 7 reached a 4% market share in less than three weeks. In comparison, it took Windows Vista seven months to reach the same mark.

cite web

url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10394517-75.html
title = Windows 7 use continues to climb
author = Ina Fried
date = 2009-11-10
publisher = CNET
accessdate = 2009-11-13
As of March 4, 2010, Microsoft announced that they had sold more than 90 million Windows 7 licenses. Reviews of Windows 7 were extremely positive, praising its usability when compared to its predecessor, Windows Vista. CNET gave Windows 7 Home Premium a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, stating that it "is more than what Vista should have been, [and] it's where Microsoft needed to go". PC Magazine rated it a 4 out of 5 saying that Windows 7 is a "big improvement" over Windows Vista, with fewer compatibility problems, a retooled taskbar, simpler home networking and faster start-up.

cite web

url = http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0%2C2817%2C2348899%2C00.asp
title = Microsoft Windows 7
author = Michael Muchmore
date = 2009-10-22
publisher = PC Magazine
accessdate = 2009-11-13
Maximum PC gave Windows 7 a rating of 9 out of 10 and called Windows 7 a "massive leap forward" in usability and security, and praised the new Taskbar as "worth the price of admission alone".

cite web

url = http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/windows_7_review
title = Windows 7 Review: XP vs Vista vs 7 in 80+ Benchmarks
author = Will Smith
date = 2009-10-19
publisher = Maximum PC
accessdate = 2009-11-13
PC World called Windows 7 a "worthy successor" to Windows XP and said that speed benchmarks showed Windows 7 to be slightly faster than Windows Vista.

cite web

url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/172602/windows_7_review.html
title = Windows 7 Review
author = Harry McCracken
date = 2009-10-19
publisher = PC World
accessdate = 2009-11-13
PC World also named Windows 7 one of the best products of the year.

cite web

url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/174171-2/the_pc_world_100_best_products_of_2009.html
title = The PC World 100: Best Products of 2009
author = The PC World Editorial Team
date = 2009-10-19
publisher = PC World
accessdate = 2009-11-13
In its review of Windows 7, Engadget said that Microsoft has taken a "strong step forward" with Windows 7 and reported that speed is one of Windows 7's major selling points particularly for the netbook sets.

cite web

url = http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/windows-7-review/
title = Windows 7 review
author = Paul Miller
date = 2009-08-12
publisher = Engadget
accessdate = 2009-11-13
LAPTOP Magazine gave Windows 7 a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and said that Windows 7 makes computing more intuitive, offered better overall performance including a "modest to dramatic" increase in battery life on laptop computers.

cite web

url = http://www.laptopmag.com/review/software/windows-7.aspx
title = Windows 7
author = Dana Wollman
date = 2009-08-21
publisher = LAPTOP Magazine
accessdate = 2009-11-13
Techradar gave it a 5 star rating calling it the best version of Windows yet.

cite web

url = http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/microsoft-windows-7-622923/review
title = Windows 7 review
author = Mary Branscombe
date = 2009-08-07
publisher = TechRadar
accessdate = 2009-11-13
The ''New York Times'',

cite web

url = http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html
title = Windows 7 Keeps the Good, Tries to Fix Flaws
author = David Pogue
date = 2009-10-21
publisher = New York Times
accessdate = 2009-11-13
''USA Today'',

cite web

url = http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2009-10-16-baig16_CV_N.htm
title = After Vista, Windows 7 is a giant leap for Microsoft
author = Edward C. Baig
date = 2009-10-21
publisher = USA Today
accessdate = 2009-11-13
''The Wall Street Journal'',

cite web

url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703298004574459293141191728.html
title = A Windows to Help You Forget
author = Walter S. Mossberg
date = 2009-10-08
publisher = Wall Street Journal
accessdate = 2009-11-13
and ''The Telegraph''

cite web

url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/6384509/Microsoft-Windows-7-review.html
title = Microsoft Windows 7 review
author = Matt Warman
date = 2009-10-20
publisher = The Telegraph
accessdate = 2009-11-13
also gave Windows 7 favorable reviews. Some Vista Ultimate users have expressed concerns over Windows 7 pricing and upgrade options. Windows XP programs can run in Windows 7 XP mode but will run in a virtual environment which may cause performance degradation.

Editions

Windows 7 is available in six different editions, but only the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions are available for retail sale to consumers in most countries. Some copies of Windows 7 have restrictions, in which it must be distributed, sold, or bought and activated in the geographical region (One of the geographical regions can be either: Southeast Asia; India; or Latin America and the Caribbean) specified in its front cover box. Microsoft is offering a family pack of Windows 7 Home Premium (in select markets) that allows installation on up to three PCs. On September 18, 2009, Microsoft said they were to offer temporary student discounts for Windows 7. The offer ran in the US and the United Kingdom, with similar schemes available in Canada, Australia, Korea, Mexico, France and India. Students with a valid .edu or .ac.uk email address could apply for either Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional, priced at $30 or £30. Windows 7 is also currently available as an embedded version to developers (previously Windows Embedded 2011).

Marketing

Microsoft has marketed the whole of Windows 7 as "making your PC simpler." However, the different editions of Windows 7 have been designed and marketed toward different types of people. Out of all the different editions (Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate), the Starter edition has been designed for netbooks, Home Basic for developing countries, Home Premium designed and marketed for normal home users, Professional for businesses, Enterprise for larger businesses and corporations, and Ultimate for enthusiasts.

Hardware requirements

Microsoft has published the minimum specifications for a system to run Windows 7. Requirements for the 32-bit version are similar to that of premium editions of Vista, but are higher for 64-bit versions. Microsoft has released an upgrade advisor that determines if a computer is compatible with Windows 7. _

Service packs

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) was announced on March 18, 2010 and is currently in development. A beta was released on July 12, 2010. SP1 is expected to contain minor updates, including all patches and hotfixes already delivered through Windows Update, and will add improvements to Bluetooth performance, and an updated Remote Desktop client implementing upcoming RemoteFX technology. USB 3.0 support will be added in a later patch, rather than in SP1. On April 7, 2010, a build of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 dated from March 27, 2010 was leaked onto torrent sites. The latest beta version of Service Pack 1 that was officially released by Microsoft has a version number of "6.1.7601.16562"

See also

Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions
History of Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)

References

External links

Windows 7 Home Website - Microsoft
Engineering Windows 7 - MSDN Blogs
Windows 7 tools and resources
Latest Windows 7 news
The Windows 7 Blog for Developers
The Windows 7 Team Blog - Windows Team Blog