Windows 7, formerly known as
"Blackcomb" and "Vienna", is
the successor of Windows
Vista. There are six
different versions while
only 3 ("Home Premium",
"Professional" and
"Ultimate") are available for retail in most countries. All editions except for Windows 7 Starter support 32-bits and 64-bits architecture.
Milestones
09-22-09: Microsoft launches
Windows 7, worldwide 07-22-09: Windows 7 has reached RTM status
05-05-09: Windows 7 has reached RC status
02-03-09: Microsoft announces Windows 7 editions
01-09-09: Windows 7 public beta available
10-13-08: Microsoft announces the successor of Vista, "Windows 7"
Windows 7 minimum hardware requirements
Architecture
32-bits
64-bits
Processor speed
1 GHz processor
Memory (RAM)
1 GB
2 GB
Graphics card
Support for DirectX 9 graphics device with 128MB of graphics memory (for Windows Aero)
HDD (free space)
16 GB
20 GB
Optical drive
DVD drive (only to install from DVD/CD Media)
Prices
[Full retail]
Home Premium: $239,99
Professional: $299,99
Ultimate: $399,99
[Upgrades]
Home Premium: $119,99
Professional: $199,99
Ultimate: $219,99
New features
Allthough Windows 7 isn't a radical change in comparison to Vista, there are some changes that many people will enjoy, find 7 of them below.
[New taskbar]
Redesigned and a bit bigger. You can group active folders or documents together so your taskbar won't fill up as much. [Pin items to taskbar]
Quick launches to programs/documents you use a lot. [Snap windows to size]
Especially usefull for people with a widescreens monitor. You can split your screen into two or more parts where you can drop programs or documents.
[Aero shake]
When you have several windows open, you can select one, hold your mousebutton and shake your mouse. This clears away all other windows, shake again and they'll come back.
[Tamed user account control]
Remember the nagging UAC 'Are you sure' dialogs? Windows 7 let's you modify what alerts you get for what.
[Customize system tray]
In the bottom right part of your desktop is your clock. To the left are a bunch of icons, these icons can give alerts like antivirus software does. In Windows 7 you can modify what icons you want to show and what alerts they can give.
[Faster startups]
Windows 7 will boot faster than Windows Vista and Windows XP.
Compare editions
Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation.
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Start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often.
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Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8.
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Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC.
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Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup.
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Run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode.
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Connect to company networks easily and more securely with Domain Join.
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Recover your data easily with automatic backup to your home and business network.
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Help protect data on your PC and portable storage devices against loss or theft with BitLocker.
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Work in the language of your choice and switch between any of 35 languages.
What is Windows 7
