What is the Key features of Windows 7 ?

Windows 7 includes many features that enable users to be more productive. It also provides a higher level of reliability and increases computer security when compared to the previous versions of Windows.

What is the Key features of Windows 7

Usability for windows 7

One of the main design goals of Windows 7 was to help users work more productively and to simplify a user’s ability to carry out common tasks. Windows 7 includes tools to simplify users’ ability to organize, search for, and view information. This enables them to focus on the most important aspects of their job. In addition, Windows 7 communication, mobility, and networking features help users connect to people, information, and devices by using simple tools.

Security for windows 7

Windows 7 is built on a fundamentally secure platform based on the Windows Vista foundation. It includes numerous security features and improvements that protect client computers from the latest threats, including worms, viruses, and malicious software (malware).

User Account Control (UAC) in Windows 7 adds security by limiting administrator-level access to the computer. All users in Windows 7, including administrators, work at the standard user level unless they need a higher privilege level to perform a particular task. Windows 7 introduces streamlined UAC. Streamlined UAC reduces the number of operating system applications and tasks that require elevation of privileges. It also provides flexible prompt behavior for administrators, allowing standard users to do more and administrators to see fewer UAC elevation prompts.

Multi-tiered data protection for windows 7

Windows 7 supports data-protection at multiple levels, such as document, file, directory, computer, and network levels.

Rights Management Services (RMS): RMS enables organizations to enforce policies regarding document usage. It enables policy definition and enforcement, protects information wherever it travels, and provides policy-based protection of document libraries on a SharePoint site.

Encrypting File System (EFS): EFS provides user-based file and directory encryption. It enables storage of encryption keys on smart cards, providing better protection of encryption keys.

Windows® BitLockerTM Drive Encryption: BitLocker adds computer-level data protection. It provides full-volume encryption of the system volume, including Windows system files. Windows 7 introduces BitLocker To GoTM, which extends the BitLocker drive encryption to removable devices.

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec): IPsec isolates network resources from unauthenticated computers and encrypts network communication.

Reliability and performance for windows 7

Windows 7 takes advantage of modern computing hardware, running more reliably and providing more consistent performance than previous Windows versions. Some of the reasons for reliability and performance improvements include:

1. Applications are more reliable because they can recover from deadlocked situations, and improved error reporting enables developers to fix common problems.

2. Windows 7 includes the Startup Repair tool, which fixes many common problems automatically. Additionally, you can use it to diagnose and repair more complex startup failures.

3. Windows 7 helps detect and recover failing hard disks and memory.

4. The auto-tuning network stack of Windows 7 provides improved performance by analyzing the available bandwidth and using it more efficiently.

5. Defragmentation runs in the background to help maintain disk performance.

Deployment for windows 7

Windows 7 is deployed by using an image, which makes the deployment process more efficient due to the following factors:

1. Windows 7 installation is based on the Windows Imaging (WIM), which is a file-based, disk-imaging format. This results in much faster deployments than traditional installation mechanisms.

2. Windows 7 is modularized, which makes customization and deployment of the images simpler.

3. Windows 7 uses Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based, unattended setup answer files to enable remote and unattended installations. The same XML answer file format is also used during image preparation.

4. Deploying Windows 7 by using Windows Deployment Services in Windows Server® 2008 R2 is optimized with Multicast with Multiple Stream Transfer and Dynamic Driver Provisioning.

5. Consolidated tool for servicing and managing image in Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). DISM enables you to add / remove drivers and packages and treat Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) image in the same manner as WIM file.

6. Improvements in the User State Migration Tool (USMT). Migrating the user state is made more efficient with hard-link migration, offline user state capture, volume shadow copy, and improved file discovery in USMT 4.0.

Manageability for windows 7

In Windows 7, hundreds of new Group Policy settings allow users to configure and control the desktop environment centrally. The improved Task Scheduler increases the IT Professionals ability to automate tasks because it reduces the time required to manage the desktop and decreases the likelihood of manual errors. Event Viewer has multiple views and enables you to attach a task to an event. Also, by using features, such as the Windows Eventing infrastructure and much clearer explanations for events, you can troubleshoot problems by using the event logs more effectively.

In addition, Windows 7 introduces the following manageability improvements that can reduce cost by increasing automation.

1. Microsoft Windows PowerShellTM 2.0, which enables IT professionals to create and run scripts on a local PC or on remote PCs across the network.

2. Group Policy scripting, which enables IT professionals to manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and registry-based settings in an automated manner.

Windows 7 improves the support tools to keep users productive and reduce help desk calls, including:

1. Built-in Windows Troubleshooting Packs, which enable end-users to solve many common problems on their own. IT professionals can create custom Troubleshooting Packs and extend this capability to internal applications.

2. Improvements to the System Restore tool, which informs users of applications that might be affected when returning Windows to an earlier state.

3. The new Problem Steps Recorder, which enables users to record screenshots, click-by-click, to reproduce a problem so the help desk can troubleshoot solutions.

4. Improvements to the Resource Monitor and Reliability Monitor, which enable IT Professionals to more quickly diagnose performance, compatibility, and resource limitation problems.

Windows 7 also provides flexible administrative control with the following features:

1. AppLocker, which enables IT professionals to more flexibly set policy on which applications and scripts users can run or install, providing a more protected and manageable desktop.

2. Auditing improvements, which enable IT professionals to use Group Policy to configure more comprehensive auditing of files and registry access.

3. Group Policy Preferences that define the default configuration—which users can change—and provide centralized management of mapped network drives, scheduled tasks, and other Windows components that are not Group Policy-aware.

Productivity for windows 7

Windows 7 improvements to the user interface help users and IT Professionals increase their productivity. Users can find what they want and can optimize their desktops by turning on necessary accessibility features.

Windows 7 includes an integrated search feature, known as Windows® Search. It offers significant performance improvements, making it quicker and simpler for users to locate their documents.

Windows 7 also offers improvements for mobile and remote users by introducing the following features:

1. BranchCacheTM, which increases network responsiveness of applications and gives users in remote offices an experience like working in the head office.

2. DirectAccess, which connects mobile workers seamlessly and safely to their corporate network any time they have Internet access, without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

3. VPN Reconnect, which provides seamless and consistent VPN connectivity by automatically re-establishing a VPN when users temporarily lose their Internet connections.

Windows 7 introduces Windows Virtual PC that provides the capability to run multiple environments, such as Windows XP mode, from Windows 7 computer. Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode provide the following benefits:

1. Simple setup: once Windows Virtual PC and the virtual Windows XP environment are installed, Windows Virtual PC provides a simple wizard to set up Windows XP Mode.

2. USB support: you can access USB devices attached to the host directly from virtual Windows XP.

3. Folder integration between host and guest: you can access your Windows 7 Folders, such as My Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, and Video from inside the virtual Windows environment.

4. Seamless applications: you can publish and launch applications installed on virtual Windows XP directly from the Windows 7 computer, as if they were installed on the Windows 7 host itself.

5. Clipboard sharing: you can cut and paste between your Windows 7 host and any virtual machine.

6. Printer redirection: you can print directly to your attached printer from your seamless application or virtual machine.

Question : What are the key features of Windows 7 that will help your organization?

Answer : The answer may vary, but in general all the key features of Windows 7 will help users in terms of usability, security, manageability, deployment, and productivity.