You probably heard all that stories about new features of the newest version of the most popular Microsoft's operating system. This article will guide you through them.
Desktop Enhancements:
First thing you'll perceive with Windows 7 is all that carefully designed user interface. Desktop themes are much, much better chosen than in previous versions. Also you can set up a slide show of wallpapers instead of static wallpaper. Completely available in all editions except Starter.
Windows Aero:
Aesthetically very pleasing user-friendly graphical user interface which existed also in some editions of Windows Vista. You will notice it by “glass”-like window borders. For example when you hover over taskbar icons of running programs you will get the preview of the program in full view. The most famous feature is probably Aero Shake – drag window back and forth quickly a few times and all windows will become minimized. If you do it again, you will bring them back. There are also Aero Peek and Aero Snap. Aero Peek gives quickly gives you preview of your desktop - if you look at the lower right corner you'll notice little transparent rectangle. When you move your mouse over it all your windows instantly will become transparent, so you can get some useful information(for example to see CPU usage from gadget) without minimizing all windows previously. Aero Snap is feature which helps you to quickly and intuitively resize your windows by dragging their borders to the edges of screen. Completely available in Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate edition.
Gadgets:
Small applications which run always and you which you can set up anywhere on your desktop. Offer a quick access to frequently needed informations like weather, news or CPU usage. More about gadgets you can read at Desktop Gadgets in Windows7
HomeGroup (Create & Join):
This feature is for those who have home network. If you have two or more computers at your home network, and those computers run under Windows 7, this feature enables to share files and devices easily. Peripherals as scanners, printers, sharing of documents, media files, are much easier than when you have to transfer it via USB. This feature is included in all editions on Windows 7, but Starter and Home Basic cannot create HomeGroup, they can only join to it.
Windows Media Center:
This can be called all-in-one media center. You can watch TV, Record it, atch Internet TV, watch DVDs or some other videos, listen music, watch your own slideshows or photo collections.
Windows Internet Explorer 8:
New version of the most used browser, Internet Explorer 8, is available in all Windows 7 editions. It has some improvements so now it brings instant search, accelerators, web slices and compatibility view. Fix the misaligned texts or images of current web address when you click on Compatibility View button on address bar.
Windows Media Player 12:
Now with some new features, Windows Media Player 12 enables you to pack your favourite media and transfer it onto some other media device which is running Windows 7. Also it has new playback modes, and support more media formats.
Windows Touch:
Windows 7 programs are designed so you can use your fingers instead of mouse. All you need is touch-sensitive screen and one of next editions- Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate.
Location Aware Printing:
This feature is available in Professional and Ultimate edition of Windows 7. It is suitable if you print to different printers from your laptop. Once you set up default printers for different networks you use, you won't have to switch them manually when you connect different printers anymore.
Windows XP Mode:
The truth is – many programs yet are not compatible with the newest version of Windows. So, if you want to enjoy benefits of 7, and at the same time to keep your business programs, XP Mode is solution. It is fully functional copy of Windows XP SP3 running under virtual machine. This feature is available with Professional an Ultimate editions.
Remote Desktop:
Classic remote desktop tool. In Professional and Ultimate editions there's host and client version, while in Home Premium there's only client version.
BitLocker Drive Encryption:
Puts a virtual lock on important files, this feature is enabled only in Windows 7 Ultimate edition.
Backup and Restore:
Makes safety copies of your important files. You can select files by yourself or let the Windows to do that. You can back up your files on DVD, another drive or your network. This feature is available in all editions.
32-bit and 64-bit mode support:
Editions Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate are designed so that 64-bit processors are fully exploited. In Home Basic edition you have not 64-bit mode support but you can get it from Microsoft afterwards.
Better wireless networking:
Connecting to wireless networks on your laptop—formerly a bit of a hassle—now takes just a couple of clicks. Choose from the list of available networks in the taskbar, click one, and then connect. Once you've connected to a network, Windows will remember it so you can connect again later automatically.
You can also turn your Windows7 computer into a Wi-Fi router by using Connectify or Virtual Router. These are third party applications and available as freeware. For more details, please visit Turn your Windows7 Computer into a Wi-Fi Router.