Windows 7 is the next release of the Windows client operating system, built on the secure foundation of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Performance, reliability, security, and compatibility are core tenets of this release as we collect your feedback to meet our engineering goals of making Windows 7 the best-performing and most stable Windows operating system to date. All the new innovations in this product are meant to enhance your capability as an IT professional to better provision and manage increasingly mobile PCs, to protect data, and to improve end-user and personal productivity.
Windows 7 Professional includes all the Home Premium features you love and the business features your work demands. Connect to company networks easily and more securely and share files across the various PCs in your home. In addition, you can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover your data easily with automatic back-ups to your home or business network.
Windows 7 simplifies everyday tasks:
HomeGroup
Takes the headache out of sharing files and printers on a home network
Jump Lists
Speedy access to your favorite pictures, songs, websites, and documents.
Snap
A quick (and fun!) new way to resize and compare windows on your desktop.
Windows Live Essentials
7 great programs, 1 free download. Mail, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, and more.
Windows Search
Find virtually anything on your PC, instantly.
Windows Taskbar
Better thumbnail previews, easier-to-see icons, and more ways to customize.
Windows 7 works the way you want
Full 64-bit support
Windows 7 makes the most of powerful 64-bit PCs, the new desktop standard.
More personal
Redecorate your desktop with fun new themes, slide shows, or handy gadgets.
Performance improvements
Designed to sleep and resume quicker, be less memory hungry, and spot USB devices faster.
Windows 7 makes new things possible
Play To
Play your media on other PCs, stereos, or TVs around the house.
Remote Media Streaming
Enjoy music and video on your home PC—even when you're not at home.
Windows Touch
Pair Windows 7 with a touchscreen and you won't always need a keyboard or mouse.
If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:
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1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
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1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
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16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
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DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Additional requirements to use certain features:
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Internet access (fees may apply)
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Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware
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Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible with DirectX 10 or higher for optimal performance
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For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
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Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware
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HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7
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DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
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BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2
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BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive
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Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
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Music and sound require audio output
Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some features may require advanced or additional hardware.