 - Windows 7 is the official name for the successor to the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. The new OS, expected to be released in October 2009, was previously known by the code names Blackcomb and Vienna.
Windows 7 is built on the Vista kernel. To many end users the biggest changes between Vista and Windows 7 will be faster boot times, new user interfaces and the addition of Internet Exporer 8. The OS will be available in three retail versions: Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise editions.
In the enterprise edition, anticipated features include:
DirectAccess for Mobile Workers - Allows IT administrators to update Group Policy settings and distribute software updates any time the mobile device has Internet connectivity, whether or not the user is logged on. DA supports multi-factor authentication and encryption.
XP mode - Allows older applications designed for Windows XP to use a virtualized version of the XP operating system. To the end user, the applications seem to be running right on the Windows 7 desktop.
BranchCache - Optimizes bandwidth in a wide area network (WAN) by using local, read-only caches more effectively.
BitLocker To Go - Extends on-disk encryption and key management techniques to portable storage devices.
Enterprise Search - Extends search to remote document repositories, SharePoint sites and Web applications.
AppLocker - Allows IT administrators to use Group Policy to specify rules about what software applications can be run on a particular user's desktop.
Enhanced VDI - Allows administrators to use the same master image for both remote clients using virtual desktop infrastructure and traditional desktop computers.
According to Microsoft, Windows 7 requires 1 GHz processor (32- or 64-bit), 1 GB of RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB of RAM (64-bit), 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB of available disk space (64-bit) and a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.
Learn More
Wikipedia has compiled a comprehensive list of every new Windows 7 feature.
When should you move off XP and onto Windows 7? Margie Semilof offers advice.
Microsoft provides the lastest news about Windows 7.
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04 May 2009
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