Microsoft Simplifies the PC With Windows 7

[btarunr]

Today Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of its new Windows 7 operating system. Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for people to do the things they want on a PC. The new operating system offers a streamlined user interface and significant new features that make everyday tasks easier and allow people to get the most out of computers of all styles and sizes.

“With Windows 7, there’s never been a better time to be a PC,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together with our partners, we’re bringing more choice, flexibility and value to the market than ever before. With Windows 7, you’re sure to find a PC that fits your life.”



Building Windows 7 has been a collaborative process from the beginning, with Microsoft’s engineers and designers working with customers and partners to build an operating system that delivers on the vision of the PC, simplified. In a speech in New York, Ballmer thanked the millions of volunteers who helped improve the product by testing early versions.

“A project with the global customer reach of Windows can only be done as a team,” said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft, speaking at a launch event in Tokyo. “We are grateful for the valuable contributions from customers, partners and developers around the world that helped make Windows 7 such a collaborative project.”

On Sale Worldwide Today
The global availability of Windows 7 is joined by an unprecedented array of new PCs and software programs. With more PC options available for customers today at a wide range of price points starting under $300, customers can choose the PC that fits their personality, style and needs, from netbooks, ultrathin notebooks and highly interactive multitouch laptops to all-in-one desktops and high-end, water-cooled gaming machines.

A newly launched section of Windows.com called PC Scout will guide users through selecting and purchasing the right PC. Customers can purchase PCs with Windows 7 or software upgrades online or in-store from technology retailers or at the new Microsoft Store, launching today in its first retail location in Scottsdale, Ariz., and expanded online. Retailers and technology partners are also featuring a series of limited-time offers for customers looking for great deals on Windows 7-based PCs, devices and software. Information on these offers can be found at http://www.windows.com.

To show how Windows 7 simplifies the PC, today Microsoft is launching the next wave of its global “I’m a PC” campaign. The global enthusiasm of Windows users is also contributing to the way many people around the world will experience Windows 7 for the first time. Tens of thousands of customers have volunteered to host launch parties or meet-ups beginning today, showing off Windows 7 to friends and family members.

Simplifying the PC
Over the past 18 months, feedback from more than a billion opt-in customer sessions and 8 million beta testers validated Microsoft’s research on how to simplify everyday tasks. Here are a few of the many ways users will experience a more simplified PC with Windows 7:

Simplifies Everyday Tasks

• Taskbar. The go-to spot for launching programs and switching windows, the taskbar has been completely redesigned to help users work smarter, cut clutter, and get more done, with features such as thumbnail previews of Web pages, documents — even running video.
• HomeGroup. Users can easily share their files and printers with other PCs running Windows 7 in their home.
• Windows 7 Device Stage. This shows the status of all connected devices such as cameras and mobile phones, and makes it easier to synchronize and manage them.
• Photos and videos. Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker (available via download) offer customers great, free options to edit photos and videos and easily share them with loved ones.
• Snap. Users can drag an open window to the screen’s border to automatically re-size it. Snap two different windows to the left and right borders for a perfect comparison.
• Shake. Users can click on a window pane and shake the mouse to minimize all other open windows, then shake the pane again to restore the windows to their original sizes.
• Internet Explorer 8. Microsoft’s fastest, easiest and safest browser ever offers smart new features such as Instant Search, Accelerators and Web Slices to help users get more out of the Web.

Works the Way Users Want

• Faster on, faster off. Every Windows 7 user will benefit from the focus on underlying performance, faster startup, resuming and shut down time, and enhanced power management.
• Mobile made easier. All of a user’s mobile computing settings are in one place with the Windows Mobility Center.
• Protecting the PC. Safeguarding the data on a PC is easier with advanced backup capabilities and the free Microsoft Security Essentials download to help protect users against viruses, spyware and other malicious software.

Makes New Things Possible

• Windows Touch. Users can interact with the PC with a touch-screen monitor, using their fingers and multitouch gestures.
• PlayTo. Users can stream their digital music, videos and photos to other PCs or devices such as an Xbox 360 console connected to the TV.
• Internet TV. New content providers and an improved interface make it even easier to watch TV on the PC.
• Rich gaming and graphics. Windows 7 includes performance enhancements that take power gaming and entertainment to a new level, with 64-bit support and DirectX 11 graphics.
• Location-aware printing. Documents are sent to the right printer whether it’s at home or at the office. And with Offline Files users can work offline and automatically synchronize between a PC and documents on their office network.

Partners Rally Around Windows 7

Along with increased customer involvement, Microsoft’s partners had a closer, more involved role in the product vision and planning process with Windows 7. The collaborative approach to engaging partners to inform development efforts has resulted in improved performance for PCs as well as compatibility with a broad range of software and hardware across the Windows ecosystem. More than 50,000 developers from 17,000 companies are enrolled in the Windows Ecosystem Readiness Program to build solutions for Windows 7. Together, these partners are developing hardware, software and services capable of reaching more than a billion PCs around the world.

[Baum]

Is there Direct x11 build in from the release on?

@thelaughingman

i am asking because i tried the msdnaa "RTM" version and was confused if i need to format again to get a retail/non-beta
they should stop all this fuss with their betas, there where too much

[TheLaughingMan]

DX11 is built in for the commercial release of Windows 7, yes.

[a111087]

I'm 5 years old and I am a PC!

[vaiopup]

Originally Posted by btarunr

Today Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of its new Windows 7 operating system. Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for people to do the things they want on a PC.

Lol, they've been saying that since 3.1.
How much easier does it need to be?

[a111087]

Originally Posted by vaiopup

Lol, they've been saying that since 3.1.
How much easier does it need to be?

until five year-olds like me will be able to hack your PC

[vaiopup]

Which one?

[a111087]

well, at least the one you are using to post your messages

[vaiopup]

The joys of Ubuntu

[FreedomEclipse]

what differences will this retail version have over the 7600 RTM I wonder...hmmm. well for starters you would be able to install language packs

[a111087]

^ how about WinXP virtual machine? is it in 7600 too?

[iLLz]

Windows XP Mode is a two part separate install. First you have to download and install a 500 MB File and then another File thats a few MBs.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/vir.../download.aspx

Go here and select your version of Windows 7 and whether you use 32 or 64 bit OS. Microsoft will then make available the two things you need to download.

The 500 MB file will install a virtual-disk file that is used for XP Mode.

[DanishDevil]

Originally Posted by FreedomEclipse

what differences will this retail version have over the 7600 RTM I wonder...hmmm. well for starters you would be able to install language packs

I'm on the RTM and I can install language packs...RTM is Release to Manufacturing, so you're getting what Dell, HP, Acer, etc. are getting, aka Retail minus the prettyness.

[lemonadesoda]

I've seen mixed data on WHICH VERSION is required for a dual socket system. Some show home premium. Others show Professional. Anyone got the final on this?

[mechtech]

Has anyone purchased it yet??

I was just wondering what the build number is on the final retail version??

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by DanishDevil

I'm on the RTM and I can install language packs...RTM is Release to Manufacturing, so you're getting what Dell, HP, Acer, etc. are getting, aka Retail minus the prettyness.

thats funny, because every time i try to install it - M$ update fails. Ive even downloaded the dvd with the 64bit language packs & still no luck. wont install.....

[DanishDevil]

Manually install it. Sometimes Windows Update has a brain fart. Search for the KBxxxxx online and download.

[FreedomEclipse]

thats was what was on the language pack dvd. but I'l see if i can find the hotfix or whatever

[DanishDevil]

Feel free to make a thread about it if it doesn't work. It's a little off topic in here, though.

[Delta6326]

i have had my W7 Ultimate for some time now sense released at Technet been working good, i really didnt notice hardly any difference from vista but i never had problems with vista

[Mussels]

i'm so glad i was born a PC, or else i'd miss out on this great opportunity

[Woody112]

MS slogan should be "Simplifying the PC since 1985"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History...rosoft_Windows
If you look all the way at the bottom you'll see a nice little comment about windows 8.

[kylzer]

Microsoft Simplifies the PC With Windows 7 hmmm

how more simple can you get

anyways got ultimate installed its alright i guess.

[RejZoR]

I think they simplified the whole thing to a new level with Windows XP (compared to Win9x). The very reason why so many ppl are sticking to it. Vista was fine but unfortunately accompanied with loads of unnecessary bad press. I know it because almost every second customer was asking me "Isn't Vista crappy and all...". And then i had to calm them down that Vista is just fine (especially since SP was already released). Windows 7 is nothing else than polished Vista with few extra goodies and more eye candy. And i love it. There is some getting used to it, but it works fine on my main system and on weak netbook.

[Tartaros]

I know it because almost every second customer was asking me "Isn't Vista crappy and all...". And then i had to calm them down that Vista is just fine (especially since SP was already released)

And the customers who say that are the customers who never used a computer in their whole life and themselves say they know nothing about and of course never touched vista. But you only have to say "vista" and the dumb customer becomes and expert an says "windows vista is crap"

The paradox of computer selling xD