Windows 7
Ultimate from Microsoft is the long
awaited successor to the ubiquitous Windows Vista operating system. Building
upon Vista’s impressive feature set, Windows 7 adds many features which
simplify the way you use your PC, as well as the way that your PC connects to the
world.
The Ultimate edition of
Windows 7 is designed to meet the needs of business and home use alike. It
omits none of the features that are found in the Home Premium or Professional
editions of the software. These include improved desktop navigation, improved
speed, the Internet Explorer 8 web browser, Windows Media Center, and HomeGroup
networking.
Other carry-over features
include Windows XP Mode, which allows you to run legacy applications in a true
virtualization of Windows XP. You’ll also be able to join Domains, which is
often a requirement for connecting to corporate networks. Finally, the
Professional edition adds the ability to backup your system to a home or
business network.
The Ultimate edition adds
BitLocker, which allows you to encrypt data on your hard drive and other
storage devices. Encrypting data is critical in environments where it is
imperative that sensitive data does not fall into the wrong hands. You’ll also
be able configure the OS to use any of 35 languages, making the Ultimate edition
an excellent choice for multilingual users.
Both the 32-bit and 64-bit
editions of the operating system are included on the disc, allowing you to
install the edition which best suits your needs.
User Interface Enhancements
An improved taskbar allows you
to launch programs and switch between them when they’re open. You can pin any
program to the taskbar, making it just a click away. Rearrange icons via
clicking and dragging, Icons are bigger than in previous versions, making them
easier to identify. Hover over an icon and view thumbnails of every file or
window that is currently open in that program; hover over the thumbnail and see
a full-screen preview of that window. Move the cursor away, and the preview
disappears.
There are numerous Desktop
enhancements present in Windows 7. Snaps allows you to quickly grab a window
and pull it to either edge of your screen, automatically resizing the window to
occupy half of your screen.
You can also quickly view
gadgets, or grab a file from your desktop. Move your mouse to the lower right
corner of your desktop and all open Windows will become transparent. Need to
hide all but one window? Grab the one you would like to keep at the top and
shake it, all other windows will hide. Shake the window again, and they’ll return.
Jump Lists allow you to
quickly reach files with which you’ve been working. Simply right-click an
application icon to see which files it has recently opened. You can even pin
files to a Jump List, ensuring they always appear on it, allowing you to access
frequently-used files with only a few clicks.
Certain programs, including
Windows Media Player, can pre-populate their Jump Lists with common tasks. You
can play all of your music or resume the most recently played playlist via the
Media Player Jump List. In Internet Explorer, frequently-visited and
recently-visited websites will appear.
Windows Search has been
improved since its introduction in Windows Vista. You’ll be able to find files,
e-mail messages, and applications via the search box, conveniently located at
the bottom of the Start menu. Simply enter a word or a string of letters from
the file name: you’ll receive an organized list of results.
Search results are organized
by file type. Programs, items in your control panel, documents, music, and
photos that match your search will be grouped together by file type. You can
further customize search results via filters: filter by creation date, document
author, and more.
Windows 7 includes Internet
Explorer 8, the latest iteration of Microsoft’s popular web browser. Rendering
web pages much faster than previous versions, IE8 includes an address bar,
search tabs, and a Favorites bar to help you better navigate the web.
Instant Search starts
returning results as soon as you start typing your query. In addition to
searching the web, the search also looks through your browsing history, making
it easier to locate a previously-visited page. There is no need to wait for a
search to complete if you see your result beforehand: simply click on the page
you’d like to visit and IE will take you there.
Accelerators allow you to
highlight any part of a web page, and feed it into a frequently-used service as
a search. See an address on a web page? Highlight it, and use an Accelerator to
immediately display a map. You’ll have access to Accelerators for e-mail, eBay,
Facebook, blogging, mapping, search, translation, and more.
IE8 also supports Web Slices.
Allowing you to capture only a portion of a web site, you can create web slices
for auction items, sports scores, weather reports, and more. When the content
contained in the slice changes, it will be highlighted in your Favorites Bar.
Device management has been
greatly enhanced in Windows 7. Rather than spreading devices across several
different screens, as had been done in previous versions of Windows, you’ll be
able to access all of your devices from one screen. The Devices and Printers
screen will allow you to manage all of your printers, phones, peripherals, MP3
players, and other devices.
Windows 7 also features Device
Stage technology. Use Device Stage to interact with any compatible device that
is connected to your computer. You’ll be able to view device status, and run
common tasks from a single window. Device icons reflect the type of peripheral,
allowing you to easily see what is connected.
While most folks with multiple
computers already have a home network setup for Internet sharing, it is often
difficult to share other files between computers. Enter HomeGroup. You’ll be
able to use this function to more easily setup a home network, allowing you to
share printers and files among all of the computers in your home.
Joining networks can often
cause a headache, especially for users who have access to different networks in
different locations. Whether it is a corporate network, a VPN, your home Wi-Fi,
mobile broadband, or dial-up, all of your networks are visible in the View
Available Networks (VAN) window. You’ll have one-click access to any available
network, and you can configure automatic connection to frequently-used networks.
Performance and Compatibility
Windows 7 is optimized so that
PCs start up, shut down, and resume from standby faster than previous versions.
Added features, including the aforementioned Taskbar and Jump Lists, allow you
to complete common tasks. You’ll be able to use the Action Center to control
how the OS notifies you of systems changes. Windows 7 helps you recover from
problems when they occur, walking you through the steps necessary to address
common issues.
Mobile computers rely on an all-too-often
anemic battery for power. Windows 7 features a number of power-saving
enhancements, designed to prolong battery life. Adaptive display brightness
dims a display when you’ve been away from your PC, and playing DVD movies
requires less power than in previous versions of Windows.
We all have existing hardware
and software, and it is essential that they work with a new operating system as
well as they did with the old. Most devices that work with Windows Vista will
work with windows 7. Microsoft has implemented a “Compatible with Windows 7″
program, which allows manufacturers to place a logo on devices and applications
that are compatible with the OS. You’ll also be able to run many productivity
and business applications that carry the Windows XP logo. Additional software
to do so is available as a free download from Microsoft.
In past versions, Windows
would notify you via a pop-up or other message if there was something that
needed attention on your computer. Instead of using intrusive pop-up messages,
Windows 7 simply adds an icon to the Action Center.
Windows Media Center allows
you to watch TV, movies, and other types of video on your computer. When used
with TV tuner hardware, it allows you to record television programming. It
features a streamlined programming guide, which contains both standard and
digital HD program lists.
With more and more media
becoming available in digital formats, it is often desirable to stream media
from your PC to your home theater. Windows 7 simplifies streaming, making it
much easier to send media to compatible networked media devices.
Windows Media Player features
a “Play To” feature, which allows you to push media to a compatible network
device, while maintaining playback control from your computer. Typing away on
the laptop and in the mood to listen to some music, but not through a pair of
tinny computer speakers? Play To can send music to a networked stereo, Xbox
360, or other compatible device. You’ll have full control over playback from
the familiar Windows Media Player interface.
Bootable
02:45
By
Ali Murad Raza
