The successor to Windows Vista. Expected in 2009, Windows 7 was designed to be more user friendly by focusing on how a user works on the computer. For example, multitouch capability is featured, which is similar to Microsoft's Surface computer and Apple's iPhone (see multitouch). However, Windows 7-compatible touch screens are required to take advantage of this.
Enhancements to the User Interface
Windows 7 changes the Vista user interface; most notably a new taskbar, called the "Superbar," is similar to the Dock in the Macintosh. The Superbar serves to show open applications as well as launch new ones, and icons can be rearranged by the user, where they were always fixed in previous Windows versions.
Programmers can add "jump lists" to their applications, which display commonly used functions when their Superbar icon is right clicked. Another improvement is quick window placement. Application windows snap to the top and sides of the screen by just moving them to the edges.
As with all major upgrades of dominant software, changes are made before the final release date. For example, the server version of Windows 7 is expected to be 64 bits only, and applications are expected to run in a sandbox that restricts access to files and external resources for greater security. See sandbox and Windows Vista.
Enhancements to the User Interface
Windows 7 changes the Vista user interface; most notably a new taskbar, called the "Superbar," is similar to the Dock in the Macintosh. The Superbar serves to show open applications as well as launch new ones, and icons can be rearranged by the user, where they were always fixed in previous Windows versions.
Programmers can add "jump lists" to their applications, which display commonly used functions when their Superbar icon is right clicked. Another improvement is quick window placement. Application windows snap to the top and sides of the screen by just moving them to the edges.
As with all major upgrades of dominant software, changes are made before the final release date. For example, the server version of Windows 7 is expected to be 64 bits only, and applications are expected to run in a sandbox that restricts access to files and external resources for greater security. See sandbox and Windows Vista.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Firefox hopes to one-up IE with fast graphics
- Microsoft showed off some browser technology that could help Internet Explorer leapfrog the competition. But Mozilla could be one step ahead. Last week, Microsoft showed off some browser technology that could help Internet Explorer leapfrog the competition. But if Mozilla succeeds in its hope, Microsoft could be playing catch-up...
- News items 2009-11-24
- HP vs. Dell: Showdown at the Windows 7 upgrade corral
- Here's a tale of two PC titans: HP and Dell. One executes well every quarter. The other doesn't. Both see big PC upgrade cycles ahead. Both are looking to ride a bump in enterprise spending courtesy of Windows 7. Place your bets. by Larry Dignan
- Blog posts 2009-11-24
- TR Dojo: Install Windows 7 from a USB flash drive
- Install Windows 7 from a USB flash drive Bill Detwiler shows you how to install Windows 7 from a bootable USB flash drive created with the free DiskPart utility. by Larry Dignan
- Blog posts 2009-11-24
- Evaluate the efficiency of Windows 7 Power Plan settings
- In this edition of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Report, Greg Shultz examines the Windows 7 Power Plans. He then shows you how to use Windows 7's PowerCfg command line tool to evaluate the efficiency of your Power Plan settings.
- Download resources 2009-11-24
- Exploit published for critical IE 7 zero-day flaw
- The vulnerability could be used in malware attacks to take complete control of a Windows machine running IE 6 or IE 7. by Ryan Naraine
- Blog posts 2009-11-23
- Did HTC address Windows Mobile 6.5's initial shortcomings?
- I understood that Windows Mobile 6.5 was going to be a fairly minor update to bridge the gap between WM 6.1 and 7, but as I stated in my Windows Mobile 6.5 review I found too many things still missing from the update that I expected to see even with...
- Blog posts 2009-11-23
- MSN Recorder Max 4.1.7.6 (Windows)
- MSN Recorder Max enables you to record your favorite MSN chatmate's webcam video or capture the whole MSN conversation easily and instantly. It supports all versions of MSN and Windows Live Messenger including Windows Live Messenger 2009. All the videos can be captured in real time while chatting on MSN...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Dock-It 2.7.4 (Mac)
- Dock-It is a multifunctional dock and Finder enhancer for the Mac OS X operating system. We decided to take a different path in regards to Dock-Its feature set. Many of our competitors clutter their offerings. Dock-It is simple and to the point. It has everything one would look for in...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- ooSooM 1.1.6 (Mac)
- ooSooM is a Todo Management and Secure Digital Filing System for Macintosh OSX and Microsoft Windows. The idea behind ooSooM is simple. To get on with the job in hand you need to get thoughts of what needs doing and what needs remembering out of your head and safely and...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- Aloaha Sign 3.9.172 (Windows)
- Aloaha Sign is an excellent tool for validating PDF, p7m, d2d, xmldsig, or PKCS 7 signatures. Furthermore it is possible to digitally sign virtually any file type with any native supported smartcard.
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- News to know: Windows 7; Top student laptops; Facebook; Larry Page's commencement speech
- fsdaThe Best Blu-Ray Video Converter is a comprehensive ripper and converter tool.
- Discussion threads 2009-11-21
- MessengerLog 360 7.20 (Windows)
- MessengerLog 360 allows you to monitor and record chat from all popular instant messengers: MSN/Windows Live messenger (including version 9.x), Yahoo Messenger (including version 9.x), AIM/AOL (including version 6.x, with encrypted protocol), ICQ (included version 6.x), Google GTalk, and Skype. It has support for record chat in both plain text...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- MessengerLog 360 Pro 7.20 (Windows)
- MessengerLog 360 Pro lets you monitor and record chat from all popular instant messengers: MSN/Windows Live messenger (including version 9.x), Yahoo Messenger (including version 9.x), AIM/AOL (including version 6.x, with encrypted protocol), ICQ (included version 6.x), Google GTalk, and Skype. Support record chat in both plain text and HTML/Rich text*...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- EMS SQL Manager for SQL Server Lite 3.5.0.2 (Windows)
- EMS SQL Manager for SQL Server is a powerful tool for SQL Server administration and development. SQL Manager 2005 works with any SQL Server versions from 7 to 2005 and supports all of the latest SQL Server features including new SQL Server 2005 permission system, assemblies, DDL triggers, XML columns,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- e-Campaign 7.7.7 (Windows)
- e-Campaign is an HTML bulk e-mail and mailing list application for companies, e-zine publishers, and professionals, as well as for individuals, for communicating with customers, subscribers, and other e-mail contacts effectively. You can design rich-HTML e-mails and newsletters easily and deliver personalized HTML e-mail messages to your customer base and...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- Will Microsoft's Silverlight dampen the appeal of Google's Chrome OS?
- MS is the past Google is the future so NopeGoogle is the old MS, MS is the old IBM. PC_DOS never made it, MS_DOS did. The driving factor was openness and innovation.Today and in the near future, Google has bothToday MS sees profit only and based on thatdrives...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Michael Dell sticks to Windows 7 big bang theory
- too old?"Windows XP is 8 years old"So What? If it ain't broke don't fix it!Windows 2000 is ten years old and still does almost everything I need. Everyone around me runs XP or newer, yet I have far fewer problems.What is good for the computer industry is not...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Google Chrome OS has arrived as free VMWare download
- Somebody will make it available in a more public area, I'm sure.Being that it's open source, somebody's going to make it available in a more public area, I'm sure. I'll wait until then.RE: Google Chrome OS has arrived as free VMWare downloadthat's not the real release... that's a linux based...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Ballmer: Windows 7 sales on a roll
- Oh boy... this should be a fun Talkback... ntntyeap...for sure we'll be hearing what everyone has already said "ad nauseum".BallSack is a MoronPlain and Simple.I'm sure Win7 sales are decent. After all, it's hard to get an OS-less computer.....It is easy enough to get linuxpre-installed.Or buy a MacHowever,...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Ballmer: Windows 7 sales on a roll
- Delivering opening remarks at Microsoft's shareholder meeting on Thursday, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said that Windows 7 was off to a "fantastic start." Delivering opening remarks at Microsoft's shareholder meeting on Thursday, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said that Windows 7 was off to a "fantastic start." ...
- News items 2009-11-20
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
