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Archived Report:
Microsoft
Windows 7
Copyright 2016, Faulkner Information Services. All Rights Reserved.
Docid: 00021068
Publication Date: 1604
Report Type: PRODUCT
Preview
Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system was introduced in 2009 as a successor
to Vista. This OS – which was built on the Vista SP1 kernel – has largely been
replaced by its successors Windows 8 and Windows 10, although it continues to
remain
in use by a number of consumers and businesses. Official support for Windows 7
and its service packs ended in 2015. This report looks at some of the features
that Windows 7 offered.
Report Contents:
- Description
- Related Faulkner
Reports - Vendor
- Major Windows 7 Features
- Support
- Pricing
- Competitors
- Web Links
Description
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Microsoft Windows 7, launched on October 22, 2009 as the successor to
Windows Vista, offered an incremental update to the Windows line.
Related Faulkner Reports |
Microsoft Company Profile |
It was adapted to address user
concerns with Vista and to meet the requirements of developers, businesses,
consumers, and even government regulators. The OS underwent major changes, even
though its kernel was actually based on Vista SP1. Microsoft used feedback from testers of
its free public beta of Windows 7 to build the final version.
Although this operating system is still widely in use, Microsoft has officially
ended its support for the product and all of its service packs as of 2015,
in favor of its successors Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Major Windows 7 Features
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Vendor |
Name: Microsoft |
Windows 7 added features to help users
deploy home and business networks, improve security, use media and social
networks, and navigate programs. These included:
- For Consumers – Features to streamline installing home networks,
accessing devices, and sharing multimedia. - For Businesses – Tools for deploying business networks and
creating virtualized environments. Microsoft is also adding security and
cloud features. - For Developers – Advanced integration with the Microsoft Azure
cloud platform, plus deployment toolkits and automated installation kits.
Figure 1 offers screenshots of some of Windows 7’s more prominent
features.
Figure 1. Windows 7 Screenshots
(From Left to Right: HomeGroup file and printer sharing, Jump List
desktop favorites, Snap window management, and Windows Touch
touchscreen pairing)
Source: Microsoft
Table 1 presents some of the features that helped distinguish Windows 7
from its predecessors.
Feature Area |
Description |
---|---|
User Interface |
The Windows 7 interface is similar to Vista’s
|
Windows Live Essentials |
Free download instead of packaged as part of the OS. Windows Live programs include: Live Messenger, Photo Gallery, Mail, Writer, and Movie Maker. |
Home and Device Networking |
Home and Device Networking elements include:
|
Security and Control |
Features less frequent security prompts than Vista or XP, while still adding safety features such as:
|
Support
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As of 2015, Microsoft no longer supports any Windows 7 editions or service
packs. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 8 or Windows 10.
Pricing
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Representative Windows 7 pricing at the time of release is shown in Table 5.
Package |
Cost
|
---|---|
Home Premium |
$119.99 |
Professional | $199.99 |
Ultimate | $219.99 |
Competitors
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Primary competitors to Windows 7, apart from Microsoft’s other operating
systems, include Chrome (Google), OS X (Apple), and a range of Linux operating
systems.
Web Links
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- Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/
- Microsoft Lifecycle Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/ - Apple: http://www.apple.com
- Google: http://www.google.com
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