Windows 7

An earlier client version of Windows and successor to Windows Vista. Introduced in 2009, Windows 7 was superseded by Windows 8 in 2012 and Windows 10 in 2015. Although Microsoft offered Windows 7 users a free upgrade to 10 for an entire year, many people retained Windows 7 because they felt it is a solid operating system. Support ended in January 2020 (see Windows 7 ESU). See Windows 7 versions, Windows 8 and Windows 10.

Enhancements to the User Interface
Multitouch capability was added, but compatible touchscreens are required to take advantage of the feature. Windows 7 introduced the "Superbar," a taskbar somewhat like the Dock in the Mac. The Superbar is used to show open applications as well as launch new ones, and icons can be rearranged, whereas they were fixed in previous versions.

Jump Lists and Snap Placement
Jump Lists provide a "most recent file" capability. When an application is open, right clicking its icon in the Superbar displays a list of the last files worked on. Developers can also add Jump Lists to their apps to display commonly used functions. Another improvement was quick window placement. Application windows snap to the top and sides of the screen by just moving them to the edges.

Library Metafolders
Folders and files can be grouped together in a high-level "Library" structure and indexed for fast searches (see Windows Libraries).

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References in periodicals archive

Microsoft revealed earlier this month that these notifications would arrive on Windows 7, but the company says it will only be displayed a "handful" of times during 2019.

Microsoft starts notifying Windows 7 users about end of support

Windows 7 arrived as a saving grace for Microsoft after its debacle with Vista.

Microsoft is pulling the plug on Windows 7 and Windows 8

The end-of-sales for Windows 7 was initially planned for Oct.

Microsoft halts distribution of Windows 7 Pro and 8.1

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended in January 2015, (although Microsoft will provide security updates until 2020.) (http://windows.microsoft.com/ en-us/windows/lifecyde).

Time to Upgrade to Windows 10

Let's not kid ourselves here: Creating an updated version of Windows 7 is the easy way out.

Windows 10 Unveiled: Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Both Windows XP and Windows 7 returned to their usual trends, with XP losing half a percentage point to end February at 39% of all personal computers, or 42.6% of Windows-only machines.

Windows 8 uptake slows again

Will the current drivers in XP and Windows 7 support Windows 8?

Frequently asked questions

Microsoft made early versions of both Windows 8 and Windows 7 available to anyone interested enough to download and install the trials.

Slow uptake of Windows 8 preview hints at lack of interest

For Windows 10, Microsoft has already released developer tools that allow for the creation of 'traditional' Win32 apps - the kind that ran on Windows 7 and below, not the new Modern / Metro apps - that can be sold on the Windows store.

Windows 10: 10 great new features in store for you

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