This document provides an overview of the key features and history of the Windows 7 operating system. It discusses Windows 7's development process, new and changed features compared to previous versions of Windows like Vista, and features that have been removed. It also summarizes the main user experience changes in Windows 7 and how it has been simplified for both consumers and business/IT administrators.

1. Microsoft Student Partner Program @Anna University of Technology Coimbatore

2. WINDOWS 7byN.YuvarajYuvaraj.N@msptechrep.com

3. Where we’re at

4. 2006-2009Windows Vista didn’t exactly get a positive reception.That said, it delivered on Microsoft’s promise to update the foundation of Windows to something more modern.That foundation is used in Windows 7.

5. WINDOWS 7Windows 7 (formerly code named Blackcomb and Vienna) is the next release of Microsoft Windows, an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computer, including home and business desktops, laptops, Table PCs, netbooks and media center PCs.

6. Development

7. DevelopmentOriginally, a version of Windows codenamed Blackcomb was planned as the successor to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

8. Blackcomb was renamed Vienna in early 2006, and again to Windows 7 in 2007.In 2008, it was announced that Windows 7 would also be the official name of the operating system DevelopmentAccording to a performance test by ZDNet, Windows 7 Beta has beaten both Windows XP and Vista in several key areas, including boot and shutting down time, working with files and loading documents; others, including PC Pro benchmarks for typical office activities and video-editing, remain identical to Vista and slower than XP. Features

9. New and changed featuresWindows 7 includes a number of new features, such as advances in touch, speech, and handwriting recognition, support for virtual hard disks, improved performance on multi-core processors Windows 7 adds support for systems using multiple heterogeneous graphics cards from different vendors, a new version of Windows Media Center

10. New and changed featuresMany new items have been added to the Control Panel including: ClearType Text Tuner, Display Color Calibration Wizard, Gadgets, Recovery, Troubleshooting, Workspaces Center, Location and Other Sensors Unlike Windows Vista, window borders and the taskbar do not turn dark when maximized when Windows Aero is applied. Instead, it remains in Aero Transparency even when maximized in Windows 7 Removed featuresThe following is a list of features that were present in Windows Vista but have been removed in Windows 7. Several Start menu and taskbar features including: Floating Deskbands (was deprecated in Windows Vista, now deskband can be only pinned to taskbar) Windows Media Player Toolbar (replaced with the new Jump list feature)

11. Removed featuresPinning default Internet Browser and E-mail client software programs on Start menu by default (programs can be manually pinned)

12. It is no longer possible to revert to the "Classic Start menu" as it was in Windows XP and Windows Vista.

13. Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Mail, and Windows Calendar (in favor of downloading or using online the free respective Windows Live counterparts, which lack some features) Removed featuresRemovable Storage Manager (RSM) (applications dependent on it, such as NTBackup or the NTBackup Restore Tool, cannot run)

14. Windows Meeting Space

15. InkBall, a game

16. The numeric keypad from On-Screen Keyboard,

17. Microsoft Agent 2.0 Technology

18. Windows Sidebar (Gadgets remain, sitting freely on the Desktop) (the fun stuff)Windows 7 for end users

19. SetupSetup has been simplified.Clean install in 15-20 minutes.Upgrade: Averages a couple of hours.(Or, as IDG News reported, “Microsoft: Windows 7 upgrades to take 20 hours” Sigh.)Windows XP users: No upgrade for you.Don’t forget the Upgrade Advisor.

20. User experienceBiggest end user changes are in the UI...Personalization with Aero Themes and slideshows.Major changes to the Taskbar – Pinning, Jump Lists, Live Previews, and more.Notification area clean-up.Libraries and Windows Explorer.Windows Aero desktop effects: Aero Peek, Aero Snaps, Aero Shake.

21. User experienceBundled appsCalculatorPaintWordPadSticky Notes, etc.Missing appsWindows Live Essentials fills the gapsYou can also remove more apps than in Vista.

22. User experienceWindows TouchMulti-touch now a full-fledged interface paradigm, alongside mouse, keyboard, stylus/tablet.Really does change the way you interact with the PC.Windows Search 4.0Near-instantaneous search results.Harder to find thanks to Google.

23. SecurityVista already got this mostly right.UAC has been overhauled, user gets fine-grained control.Windows 7 still doesn’t ship with an AV solution.The good news: Microsoft’s Security Essentials is free and appears to be decent.

24. Networking and sharingAgain, Vista already got this mostly right.Simpler Network and Sharing Center.HomeGroup sharing makes sharing documents and digital media much easier.You can actually access a media library over the Internet. (Watch as I fail to get this to work!)Traditional sharing interfaces are still there.

25. Digital mediaMajor updates to...Windows Media PlayerWindows Media CenterNo meaningful update to Windows DVD Maker.Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker are part of Windows Live Essentials.Library views of digital media are also nice.Zune is the future. (Yes, really.)

26. InternetInternet Explorer 8Big usability gainsQuestions about performanceEmail, contacts, and calendaring moved out of the base OS: Now supplied by Windows Live Mail in Windows Live Essentials.Windows Live Services complete the picture for consumers.

27. ReliabilityWindows Backup gets evolutionary update.Now offers image-based system backup on all SKUs.Network-based backups only on premium SKUs.

28. CompatibilityEvolution of compatibility mode work from XP, Vista. Works surprisingly well.Windows Virtual PC and XP Mode for small businesses – that last mile solution for compatibility.

29. Windows 7 at workIt’s all about easing the pain.Simpler, more efficient environment for end users and IT administrators.Some of these features require Windows Server 2008 R2 as well. (“Better together”)

30. Remote access/Branch officeVPN Reconnect.DirectAccess – replace VPNs with HTTPS.Branch Cache.

31. Security and reliabilityAppLocker.BitLocker.BitLocker To Go.Problem Steps Recorder.

32. Taking it to the next levelPowerShell 2 built-into Windows 7/R2.Microsoft Desktop Optimization PackA benefit of Software Assurance.App-V 4.5 R2 – Windows 7 integration.Several other high-value tools.Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010Get up and running with Windows 7/R2 deployments.Available now.