So what are some of the practical things to like about Windows 7? Our Paul Mah works on Windows 7 Enterprise, and he's compiled this 10-point list of what he loves about it. You can find more details about each feature at Paul's blog.
Among Paul's favorite features are Aero Peek, which quickly lets you peer past all open windows to look straight at the Windows 7 desktop, and the redesigned Taskbar, which makes getting an application icon onto the taskbar as simple as right-clicking on the icon and selecting "Pin to Taskbar." Voila, it magically appears.
One thing is for sure, you certainly won't find me switching back to Windows Vista or Windows XP.
Click through to see 10 great features that should make you upgrade to Windows 7.
Eleven seconds from loading Windows to a fully usable laptop without the benefit of Windows 7 optimized drivers is nothing to scoff at.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
With Windows 7, getting an application icon onto the taskbar is as simple as right-clicking on the icon and selecting "Pin to Taskbar." Voila, it magically appears on the Taskbar.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
With just about every laptop being sold now having a widescreen display, have you ever needed to position two documents side-by-side? Rather than tearing your hair out in frustration, Aero Snap offers a quick and easy way to "snap" windows into the left or right half of your screen simply by dragging Windows to the edges. (You can also snap windows vertically.)
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
A Jump List is what you'll see when you right-click on a program icon on the Windows 7 taskbar (or Start menu). What appears depends on the specific application, but typically contains a list of frequently or last-viewed files, as well as quick access to common commands.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
To quickly peer past all open windows to look straight at the Windows 7 desktop, simply point to the right edge of the taskbar. All open windows will instantly turn transparent, making it possible to see what's on the desktop.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
Microsoft has done a lot of re-engineering to Windows 7 since Windows Vista to improve its SSD read and write speeds; the use of ATA commands and support for the TRIM command further increases write speeds.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
BitLocker To Go (as with BitLocker) is found only on the Enterprise edition of Windows 7. For enterprise users, it allows them to protect the data stored on portable drives by encrypting them on-the-fly. Set up is extremely easy and recovery keys can be managed via policy-configured Active Directory Domain Services integration.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
I've been using various editions of Windows 7 for more than half a year now, and its stability is bliss compared with Windows Vista or even Windows XP. While I would be lying to say that it never crashes, it does so infrequently and is otherwise rock stable.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
Need to run Windows XP due to some legacy OS or to run some potentially dangerous software without any risk to your PC? You can make use of Windows XP Mode to run, well, Windows XP as a virtual machine.
Special Download: Free Windows 7 Migration Report
Ok, this isn't technically something that would qualify as an official feature in Windows 7. However, the folks over at Connectify found that the Windows team did some unfinished work to virtualize the network plumbing in Windows 7. Using it, they managed to build a GUI and an interface that transforms your Windows 7 workstation into a full-fledged AP for other Wi-Fi devices – while it is connected to an AP!
