Windows 7 - scheduled release date: October 22, 2009

Windows 7 promises to be the best new desktop operating system from Microsoft ever, and has received excellent feedback from testing to date. Please browse some of the main features, below, or view the FAQ's here:

Performance improvements: Unlike its predecessors, Windows 7 is designed to run speed-sapping background services only when you need them. Not using a Bluetooth device? Then the Bluetooth service in Windows 7 stays off. Windows 7 is also less memory hungry than Windows Vista—another under-the-hood tune-up that can boost overall performance. It's also designed to sleep and resume quickly, use less memory, and identify USB devices quickly.

Power management: New power-saving features are designed to help laptops run longer. Windows 7 runs with fewer background activities so your PC processor doesn't work as hard and draws less power. Other innovations include less power-hungry DVD playback (handy on long flights), automatic screen dimming, powering off unused ports, and a more accurate battery-life indicator. So you'll be less likely to be surprised by a dead battery.

Easier wireless networking: Windows 7 gets you online quicker, so you can work anywhere. Just click the networking icon on the taskbar. View Available Networks displays all your wireless and wired options—Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, dial-up, or corporate VPN. One more click, and you're connected.

Desktop: Introducing improved taskbar previews, bigger icons, pinning, and creative ways to personalise. Overwhelmed by open windows? Windows 7 comes with three simple yet powerful new features called Aero Shake, Aero Peek, and Snap to help you instantly clear through desktop clutter.

Compatibility Issues: Windows Vista became well known for compatibility issues - with Windows 7, however, is included 'Windows XP Mode' - a virtual XP desktop which can allow you to run older programs, having the confidence they'll work fine with Microsoft's latest operating system.

Jump Lists: Quick access to your favourite pictures, songs, websites, and documents. Jump Lists—new in Windows 7—take you right to the documents, pictures, songs, or websites you turn to each day. To open a Jump List, just right-click a program icon on the Windows 7 taskbar. (You'll also find them on the Start menu.)

Snap: Snap is a quick (and fun) new way to resize open windows, simply by dragging them to the edges of your screen. Depending on which edge you choose—top or bottom, left or right—the window will expand vertically, fill the screen, or you can even position windows side by side. Snap makes reading, organizing,
and comparing windows a...well, you get the picture.

Windows Live Essentials: Get free PC software, including Mail, Photo Gallery, and other favourites!

Windows Search: In Windows 7, you can find more things in more places—and do it faster. Start typing into the Start menu search box—and you'll instantly see a list of relevant documents, pictures, music, and e-mail on your PC. Results are now grouped by category and contain highlighted keywords and text snippets to make them easier to scan.

Windows Touch: Move over mouse: With Windows 7 and a touch-sensitive screen, you can browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums, and shuffle files and folders—using nothing but your fingers. Limited touch technology has been available in Windows for years. But Windows 7 extends it to every corner of your PC. The Start menu and taskbar now sport larger, fingertip-friendly icons. Familiar Windows 7 programs are also touch-ready. You can even finger paint in Paint!

Windows Media Center: Watch, record, and pause live TV (additional hardware required).