Windows Vista

Finding stuff fast.

An easy-to-use Instant Searchhelps users locate document, photo, e-mail message, song, video, etc.

Live Icons, which display a thumbnail of the contents of each file, help users find what they are looking for at a glance.

Windows Flip 3D gives users a new way to find the window they want by quickly flipping through all open windows in a 3-D stacked view.

Staying organized

Users can add personal “tags” to their files to make them easier to find.

Quick access

It is significantly more responsive when performing everyday tasks.

Consistent responsiveness

Vista provides innovative technologies including a new memory management system called Windows SuperFetch that enables applications to launch much more quickly when users start their machines and ensures that these applications will continue to be responsive when it matters most.

Keeping an eye on what’s important

Users can see the information they care about right away with Windows Sidebar, which brings real-time information such as weather and news directly to the desktop as easy-to-use programs called gadgets.

Focus on tasks

The new Windows Aero user experience provides a transparent computing surface, making it easier for user to focus on information rather than interface graphics.

Innovative hardware

Many innovative Windows Vista-based PCs and hand-held devices are developed by companies such as HP, Toshiba,and Sony.

Safer and More Reliable

Windows Vista is the most secure and reliable version of Windows, particularly for Web browsing.

Improved parental control that can be used to limit access to applications and websites on time basis.

More Entertaining

The built-in WindowsMedia Centerand new mobility features give users more ways to enjoy their favorite digital entertainment at home or on the go.

Windows 7

Windows 7is a PC OS developed byMicrosoft and is released in 2009.

Windows 7 is available in six different editions:Home Premium,Professional, Ultimate, Starter, Home Basic, and Enterprise.

Windows 7 is an incremental upgrade to Windows Vista, maintaining the compatibility with hardware and software designed for Vista. Following are the features of Windows 7 (Note that, however, its availability depends on Windows 7 edition)

  • Rich libraries,
  • The new file sharing system HomeGroup
  • Touch andhandwriting recognition. Also supportsmultitouch
  • Updated versions of several stock applications, includingInternet Explorer,Windows Media Player, andWindows Media Center.
  • Support forvirtual hard disks. Windows 7 supports the mounting of and booting from a virtual hard disk (VHD).
  • Improved performance onmulti-coreprocessors
  • Improvedbootperformance
  • Adds support for systems using multiple heterogeneous graphics cards from different vendors
  • Windows Security Centerhas been renamed toWindows Action Center, which encompasses bothsecurityand maintenance of the computer.
  • A redesignedCalculatorwith multiline capabilities includingProgrammerandStatisticsmodes along with unit conversion for length,weight, temperature, and several others
  • Many new items have been added to theControl Panel
  • Users are able to disable or customize many more Windows components than was possible in Windows Vista.
  • A new version ofMicrosoft Virtual PC, newly renamed asWindows Virtual PC.
  • TheRemote Desktop Protocol(RDP) of Windows 7 is also enhanced to support real-time multimedia application
  • OptionalBitLocker Drive Encryptionis included with Windows 7.
  • Backup and restore have also been improved
  • Windows 7 includes improved globalization support to providemultilingual support
  • Better support forsolid-state drives
  • ReadyBoost on 32-bit editions now supports up to 256gigabytes of extra allocation.
  • For developers, Windows 7 includes a new networkingAPIwith support for buildingSOAP-basedweb services innative code(as opposed to .NET-basedWCFweb services

Windows 7 Features in Detail

HomeGroup

Allows to share files and printers on a home network, known as HomeGroup.

You can easily connect two or more PCs running Windows7 on your home network to automatically start sharing printers—and your media and documentlibraries—with other people in your home.

HomeGroup is password-protected and puts you in total control. You decide what gets shared—and what stays private. You can also make your files "read only," so other people can look at—but not touch—your stuff.

Jump Lists

Speedy access to your favorite pictures, songs, websites, and documents.

Jump Lists—new in Windows7—take you right to the documents, pictures, songs, or websites you turn to each day. To open a Jump List, just right-click a respective program button on the Windows7 taskbar. (You can also get to Jump Lists by clicking the arrow next to the program name on the Start menu.)

What you see in a Jump List depends entirely on the program. The Jump List forInternetExplorershows frequently viewed websites.WindowsMedia Player12lists commonly played tunes. Is your Jump List missing a favorite? You can "pin" whatever files you like there either by clicking on pin icon next to file or by right clicked popup menu.

Jump Lists don't just show shortcuts to files. Sometimes they also provide quick access to commands for things like composing new email messages or playing music.

Snap

A quick way to resize and compare windows on your desktop. To resize open windows, simply drag them to the edges of your screen.Depending on where you drag a window, you can make it expand vertically, take up the entire screen, or appear side-by-side with another window.

Libraries

A new system known as "Libraries" was added for file management; users can aggregate files from multiple folders into a "Library". By default, libraries for categories such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and Video are created by default, consisting of the user's personal folder and the Public folder for each.

Windows Essential

  • Photo Gallery: Everything you need to organize, edit, and publish your photos—free!
  • Movie Maker: Tell your story in style. Make a polished movie from your photos and videos in just a few clicks.
  • WindowsLive Writer: Create stunning blog posts in minutes, with photos, videos, maps, and more. Then publish them to any of your favorite blog service providers.
  • WindowsLive Mail: Manage multiple email accounts, calendars, and your contacts, even when you're offline.
  • OneDrive: WithOneDriveinstalled on all your computers, you can get to the latest version of your files wherever you are.
  • Support: Get help with WindowsEssentials

Windows Search

In Windows7, you can find more things in more places—documents, email messages, songs—and do it faster.

Start typing in the Start menu search box, and you'll instantly see a list of relevant files on your PC. You can search by typing the name of the file, or based on its tags, file type, and even contents. To see even more matches, click a category in the results, likeDocumentsor Pictures, or clickSee more results. Your search terms are highlighted to make it easier to scan the list.

Documents library after typing "invoice" in the search box.

Windows7 is also designed to search external hard drives, networked PCs, andlibraries. You can instantly narrow them by date, file type, and other useful categories.

The New Taskbar (Windows Taskbar)

The new Taskbar can be used as go-to spot launching programs and for switching between windows as earlier. But it is more flexible, and more powerful.

Live taskbar previews

Improvements to the new taskbar include thumbnail previews of webpages, documents, and even running video

In Windows7, you can point to a taskbar button to see a live preview of its open windows—including webpages and live video. Move your mouse over a thumbnail to preview the window full screen, and click it to go open the window. You can even close windows and pause video and songs from the thumbnail previews—a big time saver.

Redesignedtaskbarallows applications to be "pinned" to it, and new window management features.

The oldQuick Launchtoolbar has been replaced with the ability to pin applications to taskbar. These buttons also enableJump Liststo allow easy access to common tasks. The revamped taskbar also allows the reordering of taskbar buttons. To the far right of the system clock is a small rectangular button that serves as theShow desktopicon. By default, hovering over this button makes all visible windows transparent for a quick look at the desktop. Clicking this button minimizes all windows, and clicking it a second time restores them.

Window management in Windows 7 has several new features:

  • Snapmaximizes a window when it is dragged to the top of the screen.
  • Dragging windows to the left or right edges of the screen allows users to snap software windows to either side of the screen, such that the windows vertically take up half the screen.
  • Shakehides all inactive windows when the active window's title bar is dragged back and forth rapidly (metaphorically shaken).

Jump Lists

WithJump Lists, you can get right to the documents, pictures, songs, and websites you use most often simply by right-clicking a program button on the taskbar. You'll also find Jump Lists on the Start menu—just click the arrow next to the program name.


Jump Lists take you straight to your favorites.

Pinning

In Windows7 you can pin favorite programs anywhere on the taskbar for easy access. Not crazy about the button lineup? Rearrange them any way you like by clicking and dragging. You can even pin individual documents and websites to Jump Lists on your taskbar.

Pin a program to your taskbar for easy access.

64-bit Support

Put simply, a 64-bit PC can handle larger amounts of information than a 32-bit system. Since it can use more RAM—4 GB and up—a 64-bit computer can be more responsive when you're running lots of programs at once. It include both 32- and 64-bit software.

New ways to juggle windows

Windows7 comes with three simple yet powerful new features calledShake,Peek, andSnapto help you instantly clear through desktop clutter.

Shake (part of theAerodesktop experience)

To clean cluttered desktop and quickly focus on a single window, just click the top of a pane and give your mouse a shake. Every open window except that one instantly disappears. Jiggle (shake) again—and your windows are back.

Peek (part of theAerodesktop experience)

Peek turns open windows translucent so you can see what's on your desktop.It gives you the power of X-ray vision to see Windows7 desktop. Simply point to the extreme right end of thetaskbarand watch open windows instantly turn transparent.

To quickly reveal a buried window, point to its taskbar thumbnail. Now only that window shows on the desktop.

Spectacular new wallpapers

Windows7 includes animpressive new desktop backgrounds—wallpapers. One can also use new desktop slide show, which displays a rotating series of pictures.

Windows7 makes it easy to express your personality with creative new themes and other custom touches.

Improved gadgets

Gadgets, the popular mini-programs introduced in WindowsVista, are now more flexible and fun. Instead of the Sidebar, you can stick your gadgets anywhere on the desktop.

Performance improvements

Windows7 is more quick, efficient, and responsive. Key performance improvements include:

Sleep and resume: Windows7 is designed to sleep, resume, and reconnect to your wireless network more quickly, so your PC is ready when you are.

Search: When hunting for something, you want answers, not delays. In Windows7, search results pop up faster. Sorting and grouping of search results is also significantly quicker.

USB devices: When you plug in a portable flash drive or other USB device for the first time, Windows7 can often have it ready for you in seconds. If you've used it before, the wait's even shorter.

Better memory use: Tuned for boosting your PC's overall speed and performance. It uses less memory when it's idle and less graphics memory when you launch and switch between windows. It's also designed to run background services like Bluetooth only when you need them.

Play To (Stream your content all around the house)

Play To, new in Windows7, makes it easy to stream music, video, slide shows and photos from your computer to other PCs, TVs, or stereos on your home network.

Remote Media Streaming

Ever wished you could enjoy the music, videos, and pictures on your home PC while you’re away? With Remote Media Streaming in Windows7, now you can.

Easy to set up

To use Remote Media Streaming, both computers must be running Windows7. WindowsMedia Player walks you through the steps to turn it on (you'll need to associate both computers with an online ID, such as aMicrosoft account). Then when you connect through the Internet, the Playerwill display and play the media libraries on your home PC the same way it does when you're connected directly to your home network.

More ways to enjoy your media

Remote Media Streaming is just one of the ways Windows7 helps you enjoy your media library even if you're not in front of the PC.

Windows Touch

When you pair Windows7 with a touchscreen PC, you can browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums, and shuffle files and folders—using nothing but your fingers.

Supports multitouch technology (e.g., to zoom, put two fingers on the screen of a multitouch-compatible PC and spread them apart. To rightclick a file, touch it with one finger and tap the screen with a second.)

BitLocker

It provides BitLocker to protect your data from loss, theft, or hackers, by encrypting the entire drive. Once BitLocker is turned on, any file you save on that drive is encrypted automatically.

BitLocker To Go, a new feature of Windows7, gives the lockdown treatment to easily-misplaced portable storage devices like USB flash drives and external hard drives.

Windows 7 Features Summary


HomeGroup
Takes the headache out of sharing files and printers on a home network. /
Jump Lists
Speedy access to your favorite pictures, songs, websites, and documents. /
Snap
A quick way to resize and compare windows on your desktop.

Windows Essentials
A suite of great programs in one free download. /
Windows Search
Find virtually anything on your PC, instantly. /
Windows Taskbar
Better thumbnail previews, easier-to-see icons, and more ways to customize

Full 64-bit support
Windows7 makes the most of powerful 64-bit PCs /
More personal
Redecorate your desktop with fun new themes, slide shows, or handy gadgets. /
Performance improvements
Faster sleep and resume, less memory needs, quicker USB device detection.

Play To
Play your media on other PCs, stereos, or TVs around the house. /
Remote Media Streaming
Enjoy music and video on your home PC—even when you're notathome. /
Windows Touch
If you have a touchscreen, you won't always need a keyboard or mouse.