Windows 7 provides improvements over Windows Vista such as a more streamlined interface with enhancements to the taskbar and system tray. It aims to be less intrusive than previous versions with fewer pop-up notifications and alerts. New features include libraries to organize files, homegroups for simplified home networking, and device staging for better support of connected hardware. However, some elements like homegroups feel incomplete, and certain editions lack features like backup to network drives. Overall Windows 7 makes progress in usability while maintaining security features like UAC.