Windows 7 is an incremental update to Windows Vista that features a simpler user interface and performance enhancements while maintaining compatibility. It introduces new features like Jump Lists for contextual menus in the Start menu and taskbar, thumbnail previews of open windows in the taskbar, HomeGroups for easy file sharing between Windows 7 PCs, the Action Center for security and problem reports, and the Problem Steps Recorder for troubleshooting issues. Windows 7 Ultimate also includes XP Mode for running Windows XP virtually. Some default programs like Movie Maker and Messenger were removed but updated versions can be downloaded separately.

1. Windows 7 Speaker: Olexander Honcharuk Twitter: @ohoncharuk

2. So.. What’s the big deal? Windows 7 can be seen as a incremental update to Windows Vista. It has a simpler user interface and enhancements to performance, but uses the same technologies already in place with Vista. Windows 7 is made to be compatible with Vista programs, and works with most Vista drivers.

3. New Feature: Jump Lists One of the most useful improvements in Windows 7 is the addition of Jump Lists: contextual menus that pop-up when hovering over an icon in the Start menu. Jump Lists also appear when right-clicking on an icon in the taskbar.

4. Jump Lists Contd. Any program—or file within a Jump List—can also be “pinned” to the taskbar, similar to Quick Launch icons in Windows XP.

5. New Feature: Program Thumbnails If a program is open, then hovering over that program’s icon in the taskbar will bring up a thumbnail view of any open windows.

6. New Feature: HomeGroups Windows 7 takes a new approach to home networking with the advent of HomeGroups. Sharing files with other Windows 7 PC’s is easy, and is secured with 128bit encryption and a randomly generated password.

7. New Feature: Action Center The Security Center in Windows Vista and Windows XP is gone, replaced with Windows 7’s brand new Action Center. The Action Center not only provides security information, but also problem reports and recovery options—all within a single dialog.

8. New Feature: Problem Steps Recorder The Problem Steps Recorder, accessible by typing psr.exe into the Search bar, documents the actions needed to reproduce an error. Once complete, the report can then be given to a system administrator—or used for self analysis—to easily troubleshoot your PC.

9. New Feature: XP Mode Windows 7 Ultimate has a freely downloadable add-on that lets users run an instance of Windows XP within a window on their Windows 7 desktop. To use this feature, the PC’s processor must support virtualization.

10. Missing Features Windows 7 no longer comes with: Windows Movie Maker Windows Messenger Windows Mail But new versions of these programs can be downloaded now as part of the Windows Live Essentials pack. Download the pack at http://download.live.com

11. Questions?