Windows 7 is everything Vista should have been three years ago.
Windows 7 is the latest 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. Window 7 was released on October 22, 2009.
Windows 7 Pros — The Advantages
Faster and Lighter
Faster bootup
Multi-touch advances in touch and handwriting recognition input
Revamped Taskbar with the ability to ‘pin’ commonly launched applications to the task bar and re-arrange the order
RAW image viewing and other image display improvements (full screen, carousel style browsing — like Mac)
Interface improvement Aero Snap that maximizes a window when it is dragged to the left, right or top edge of the monitor, and Aero Peek, a hover button that makes all open windows transparent for a quick look at the desktop.
Windows 7 Cons — The Disadvantages
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Pricey upgrade/add-on to older computers
Some applications that were included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not be included in Windows 7. Instead, some of the applications are available via a suite of freeware applications known as Window Live Essentials. Windows Live Essentials is integrated with Windows 7 (but not “bundled” with Windows 7) and has to be downloaded from Windows Live Downloads.
The default setting for User Account Control in Windows 7 has been criticized for allowing untrusted software to be launched with elevated privileges by exploiting a trusted application.
Six Editions of Windows 7
Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate are widely available at retail. Windows 7 Enterprise is available via volume licensing to companies that have a Software Assurance contract with Microsoft. Windows 7 Home Basic (not detailed below) is available in emerging world markets (not the United States). Windows 7 Starter (not detailed below) is pre-installed through system integrators and computer manufacturers.
Windows 7 Home Premium features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and touch-screen controls.
Windows 7 Professional is targeted towards enthusiasts and small business users. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain. Additional features include operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies (but not the extra management features of AppLocker) and Windows XP Mode.
Windows 7 Ultimate contains the same features as Windows 7 Enterprise, but unlike that edition it is available to home users on an individual license basis. Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional users can to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate for a fee using Windows Anytime Upgrade if they wish to do so. Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, the Windows 7 Ultimate edition does not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any exclusive features.
Windows 7 Enterprise targets the enterprise segment of the market is sold through volume licensing to companies which have a Software Assurance contract with Microsoft. Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support. Not available through retail or OEM channels, this edition is distributed through Microsoft Software Assurance (SA). As a result it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the running of multiple virtual machines, and activation via VLK (Volume License Key).
Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7
Architecture: 32-bi or 64-bit
Processor 1 GHz 32-bit processor or 1 GHz 64-bit processor
Memory (RAM): 1 GB of RAM or 2 GB of RAM with 64-bit processor
Graphics Card DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver model 1.0 (For Aero)
HDD free space 16 GB of available disk space or 20 GB of available disk space with 64 bit
DVD drive (only to install from DVD/CD Media)