Windows 7 is an operating system launched by Microsoft in 2009 as an upgrade from XP or Vista. Learn all about the new features, what you need to upgrade and how to customize your computer's settings to fit your needs.
Are you wondering about the Windows 7 operating system? Perhaps you are trying to decide if you want to upgrade from XP or Vista. Maybe you are thinking about buying a new computer and want to learn more about Windows 7 first. With these questions in mind, we explored Windows 7 and would like to share what we found with you.
In this lesson, we will compare Windows 7 with previous Vista and XP operating systems. In addition, we will discuss performance improvements and review the major features.
[h=3]What is Windows 7? Windows 7 is an operating system that Microsoft has produced for use on personal computers. It is the follow-up to the Windows Vista Operating System which was released in 2006. An operating system allows your computer to manage software and perform essential tasks. It is also a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that allows you to visually interact with your computer’s functions in a logical, fun and easy way.
For example, in Windows 7 you can view two windows side by side by using the Aero Snap feature. This feature automatically sizes or snaps two windows to fit together on the screen thus allowing you the convenience of viewing them next to each other.
Two Windows Overlapping
Aero Snap View
Please note that Windows 7 is designed to work on PCs - it requires additional setup to run on a Mac (Apple Macintosh Computer).
[h=3]How is Windows 7 Different from Vista or XP? Based on their customer feedback, Microsoft is promoting that it has simplified the PC experience by making a lot of functions easier to use, such as better previewing on the Task Bar, instant searching for files or media and easy sharing via HomeGroup networking. They also claim improved performance by supporting 64-bit processing which is increasingly the standard in desktop PCs. In addition, Windows 7 is designed to sleep and resume faster, use up less memory and recognize USB devices faster. There are also new possibilities with media streaming and touchscreen capabilities.
The above are improvements for both the Vista and XP users. If you are already a Vista user then the improvements to Windows 7 are going to be more subtle. Vista users are likely already familiar with features like the Aero visual functions, the Start Menu organization and Search. However, if you are currently using XP, then you may require a bit of an adjustment period.
[h=3]Will Windows 7 Improve My Computer's Performance? As previously mentioned, Microsoft is promoting that Windows 7 is designed to:
Decrease Start Up and Shutdown times by 20 seconds
Go to Sleep and Resume faster
Use up less Memory
Pop up Search results faster
Reconnect to your Wireless Network more quickly
Recognize USB devices faster
This is promising news, because slow wait time appeared to be one of the chief complaints regarding Windows Vista. Windows 7 also saves time by not booting up various devices during Start Up unless they are currently being used. In other words, if you are not using a Bluetooth device at the moment then Windows 7 will not waste time by running that program in the background. It will wait until you have plugged it in.
However, performance tests of Windows 7 indicate that actual improvements vary and greatly depend on the conditions of your specific computer and the programs you are running. We will go into more detail regarding your computer's ability to run Windows 7 in future lessons.
For more information, see the PC World Windows 7 Performance Tests or PC Mag Windows 7 vs. XP Performance articles.
Sorting through open windows with Aero Flip 3D Aero is an interface that makes your visual interactions with the desktop fun and easy.
Aero Peek makes your open windows transparent so you may see your desktop. It also allows you to peek at items in your taskbar for a thumbnail preview.
Aero Snap is a quick way to resize your windows to make them easier to read, organize and compare.
Aero Flip allows you to preview all your open windows from a central window or 3D view that you can flip through.
Aero Shake allows you to take your mouse and shake only the open window you want to focus on and the rest will disappear.
The taskbar is now more convenient to use with larger views and easier access.
Jump Lists allow you to right click on an icon in the taskbar and immediately access items like music, videos or web pages that you use on a regular basis.
Pin allows you to place programs on the taskbar and rearrange the order of the icons as you wish.
Action Center allows you to control the alerts and pop-ups you receive regarding maintenance and security.
As soon as you start typing in the Search bar of the Start Menu you will instantly see a list of relevant options grouped by categories with highlighted keywords and text. This allows you to easily scan for the documents, music, pictures and email you are looking for.
Libraries allow you to organize your files in one place so they are easy to search and access.
Windows 7 has four default Libraries for documents, music, pictures and videos, however you can customize and create you own Libraries based on your needs.
Device Stage: When you plug a device into your computer such as a camera, mobile phone or flash drive, a window will open up with a menu of popular tasks, status information and options for your device.
Windows Live Essentials: Windows Live Essentials is free software that enhances the Windows 7 experience. It replaces Windows Mail and allows you to email, instant message, edit photos, blog, etc.
HomeGroup: HomeGroup allows you to connect two or more PCs on a home network in order to easily share and access files and printers.
Windows Touch: You can use Windows Touch with a touch-screen PC to browse and flick through the screen using your fingers with multitouch technology.
Remote Media Streaming: With Remote Media Streaming you can access your music, pictures and videos stored on your home PC remotely using the Internet.
By now, you should have a better idea of what Windows 7 is all about. Now you can start considering if upgrading to Windows 7 will be a good choice for you. In making this decision, you may want to compare your desires with what your current computer is capable of.
While Microsoft is promoting that Windows 7 can be used on older computers, that does not mean all of the features will be available or work the same as they will on a new computer. For example, we have found that some of the Aero features, like Peek and 3D, do not work on one of our older, 32-bit computers.
In addition, upgrading to Windows 7 from XP is more complicated than upgrading from Vista. In the next lesson, we will review the cost and requirements for running Windows 7 which are important factors in making a decision.
In the meantime, you may want to consider the following questions:
How valuable are the new features and improvements in regards to my computer needs?
Can I afford the upgrade and do I have the time to devote to installing and adjusting to the new operating system?
What are the system requirements of Windows 7 and how will it perform on my computer?
If I am in the market for a new computer, does Windows 7 meet my needs?
Now that you have explored what Windows 7 has to offer, we can help you understand what's involved in moving to the new operating system.
In this lesson, we will review the various versions of Windows 7 and the system requirements for running the operating system. We will discuss the process of upgrading and any considerations you need to be aware of before switching to Windows 7.
[h=3]Windows 7 Versions and Pricing The major upgrade versions of Windows 7 are Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. Home Premium is the most popular version of Windows 7 and will likely suit the needs of most users. The Professional version may appeal to small to medium business owners as it has extras like Windows XP mode and networking back up features. Ultimate is the most powerful version with added security features, such as Bitlocker and the flexibility of use in 35 languages.
Major upgrade versions
To see which features each version of Windows 7 has, go to Microsoft's Compare Windows 7 page.
You may come across a Windows 7 Starter version. This version is made for smaller laptops (sometimes called netbooks) and will have limited performance and features compared to Home Premium.
There is also a Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack ($149.99) for upgrading up to three PCs in the home.
Full versions of the above products are more expensive, but will only be required if you are not already running Windows XP or Vista.
[h=4]Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Microsoft is providing a tool called the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor so customers can determine if their PC is able to run Windows 7. It is a good idea to download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before upgrading. It will analyze your computer's processor, memory, storage, graphics capabilities and any other compatibility issues. If possible, it will also provide guidance for resolving issues.
Please note, you should plug in and connect all USB devices, printers, external hard drives, etc. when running the Upgrade Advisor. This will provide the best analysis of your system.
[h=4]Windows Experience Index The Windows Experience Index is another indicator of how well your computer will respond to Windows 7. The Windows Experience Index tests your system and rates it with a score between 1 and 7.9. The higher the score the better your computer's performance. Some Windows 7 features, like Aero, need a score of at least 3 to run.
To check your Windows Experience Index, click on the Start Menu and select Computer. The Computer window will appear.
Select System Properties in the button bar at the top of the screen. The System Window displays your computer's Windows Experience Index rating. It also shows other system info, including whether your computer has a 32-bit or 64-bit processor.
Viewing System Properties
[*]Select the Windows Experience Index link to view the ratings of the individual computer components that are scored. The rating is determined by the lowest subscore.
Explanation of Windows Experience Index
In this case, the score of 4.3 should be sufficient to experience most of the new windows features. If your system scores lower than a 3, you may miss out on some of the digital media and graphics features, including Window's Aero.
[h=3]What to Consider before You Upgrade? Once you have run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and reviewed your system's Windows Experience Index, you will have a better idea of how Windows 7 will perform on your computer. Just to be sure, here are a few things to consider:
