Windows 7 was released by Microsoft in 2009, taking the place of Vista as the newest Windows operating system. The differences between Windows 7 and Vista are not as great as those between Vista and its predecessors, and the hype for Windows 7 was similarly smaller. Since Vista was not well received by consumers, this was perhaps for the best.

Windows 7 was designed to improve performance and the user experience. It comes in Starter (designed for netbooks), Home Basic (designed for countries in the developing world), Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions.

The most obvious changes in Windows 7 when compared to older versions of Windows are to the taskbar. Programs can be pinned to it so they are easily accessible, and the preview screen that pops up when the cursor hovers over a program’s icon on the taskbar has been improved from its Vista incarnation. In Windows 7, there is a separate preview of every open window for each program, and a full size version appears when the mouse is passed over the preview. The Jump List ensures that programs can be opened quickly and easily.

The Aero Peek feature, located on the taskbar, turns all windows transparent so the desktop can be seen behind them. The desktop can be organized using the Snap and Shake functions. Snap expands a window to fill either the whole screen or the left or right half only. Shake gets rid of all windows apart from the chosen one that is “shaken”.

The library function makes it easy to get to files by providing lists of all of a particular type of file (Documents, Videos, Pictures, Music) regardless of where they are stored on the computer.

Windows 7 is also designed to be quicker, better at networking and more compatible with non-Microsoft programs. It can also work with a touch screen computer to provide additional functions.