Windows 7 (SP1 Included)

Building on the innovations brought by its predecessors, Windows 7 is the operating system that takes everything one step further. Microsoft released the successor to Vista in order to provide users worldwide with a completely new experience that takes reliability, compatibility, performance and security to a whole new level.

Until a newer iteration overthrows it, Windows 7 can safely be called the most stable platform released by the Redmond-based company. Catering to the needs of both regular users and IT professionals, the operating system comes in several flavors, ranging from 'Starter' up to 'Ultimate'. The difference consists in the number and kind of tools that are available for each edition.

The list of new and changed characteristics is way larger, but a few important ones can be mentioned here. Windows 7 consolidates the features introduced by its predecessor and brings to the table a much improved boot performance, native support for VHD (virtual hard disk) images, a revamped taskbar with many enhancements.

If the familiar 'Quick Launch' is removed, in comes the ability to pin items to the taskbar and create 'Jump Lists'. 'Aero Peek' and 'Aero Snap' are among the most noticeable visual enhancements that change the way in which users look at opened windows and maximize or restore them.

The emergence and expansion of Windows Live Essentials suite made some applications present in Vista to be no longer included in Windows 7. These are Windows Mail, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Calendar and Windows Movie Maker.

Developers have not been left aside and this iteration of Microsoft's operating system includes heaps of new and improved functions, with support for more hardware devices and better globalization. Closely related to the development area, but also to rich multimedia handling and gaming experience, Windows 7 comes with an evolved DirectX, version 11.

The only way to discover and explore all the features of Windows 7 is to try it first hand. Installation can be done either as an upgrade or side-by-side to an existing OS, just as most users are already accustomed from previous Windows versions.