Windows 7

**Windows 7** is a no-longer supported version of Microsoft Windows, an operating system for personal computers. It is the successor to Windows Vista, the sixth major release of the Windows operating system. According to Microsoft, Windows 7 improves the speed, reliability, and compatibility from Windows Vista.

Windows 7 was once the most popular Windows version by far, but is by now third most popular with a tiny market share.

The beta version of Windows 7 was released on January 9, 2009, and the release candidate was released on May 5. The final version of Windows 7 was sent to PC manufacturers on July 22, 2009, so that they have three months to change it and include it with their computers. Windows 7 was released to the public on October 22, 2009. On January 22, 2020, Microsoft Internet Games Services stopped working on Windows 7. Extended Security Updates (ESU) is a paid computer program which allowed to receive security updates for some Microsoft products for 3 years after the end of extended support date, which is now in the past, excluding for some embedded editions and for Azure customers of the its server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2.

## New and changed features

Windows 7 includes many new features, such as touchscreen, supporting virtual hard disks, being faster on multi-core processors, and a redesigned taskbar. The taskbar allows users to pin the most frequently used programs directly to it, instead of on a toolbar. The glass user interface, Aero, has been improved with features such as Aero Shake, Aero Snap, and Aero Peek.

Windows 7 has removed some features that were in Windows Vista, including Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Calendar, Windows Ultimate Extras, and the InkBall game, as well as many customization options such as the Classic Start Menu. Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery were replaced by similar set of programs known as Windows Live Essentials. The Windows Live Essentials are not included in Windows 7, and have to be downloaded from Microsoft's website.

## Editions

There are six editions of Windows 7, which contain different features that are meant to be suited for the customer:
- Starter (for low-cost Personal computers)
- Home Basic (released only in developing countries)
- Home Premium (for home users)
- Professional (for small businesses)
- Ultimate (all features)
- Enterprise (same as Ultimate, but for businesses)

## Development

At first, a major version of Windows code-named _Blackcomb_ was planned as the successor to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Features planned for Blackcomb included the Sidebar, an emphasis on looking for data, and an advanced storage system named WinFS. However, a minor release code-named _Longhorn_ was announced for 2003, delaying the making of Blackcomb. By the middle of 2003, Longhorn had gotten some of the features meant for Blackcomb. After three major viruses exploited flaws in Windows operating systems within a short time in 2003, Microsoft changed its development priorities, putting some of Longhorn's major development work on hold while they made new service packs for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Development of Longhorn was reset in September 2004, and it was renamed to Windows Vista. A number of features were cut from Windows Vista as it was being remade.

After Windows Vista was released, Microsoft announced a new plan for the next version of Windows, code-named _Windows 7_, in 2007. In 2008, it was announced that _Windows 7_ would also be the official name of the operating system.

### Milestone 1

The first known build was called **Milestone 1**. It was just a customized version of Windows Vista and it had a send feedback feature since it was a pre-release version.

### Milestone 2

The next build was called **Milestone 2**. It had a new taskbar and got Windows Live v 3.1.1.0.

### Milestone 3

The third Milestone was released in September 2008. It looked like Vista, but it had a new **Action Center** instead of the **Security Center**. The action center shows messages for many more things, not just security for Windows.

### Build 6801

Build 6801 was a customized version of Milestone 3 that was shown at the Professional Developers Conference and was given to the people that were there.

### Pre-beta

Build 6933 was shown at PDC but was not given to the people attending. In December 2008, a leaked version of build 6956 was available for download on Peer To Peer Networks.

### Beta

On January 9, 2009, build 7000 was released as a public beta. According to the Engineering Windows 7 team, users gave a lot of feedback.

### Release Candidate (RTM)

The Release Candidate was made available on May 5, 2009, and the build number is 7200.

### Final version

Windows 7 was launched on October 22, 2009.

## Other websites

- The Windows 7 team blog

## Infobox (os version)

- **name**: Windows 7
- **family**: Microsoft Windows
- **logo**: Windows 7 logo.svg
- **logo size**: 140px
- **screenshot**: Acer Aspire 4752 Laptop - 02.jpg
- **screenshot size**: 209px
- **caption**: Acer Aspire 4753 running Windows 7
- **developer**: Microsoft Corporation
- **source model**: Closed source / Shared source
- **license**: Proprietary software, Proprietary commercial software
- **supported platforms**: IA-32 and x86-64
- **kernel type**: Hybrid
- **updatemodel**: Windows Update
- **first release url**: http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/22/windows-7-has-been-released-to-manufacturing.aspx
- **ga date**: October 22, 2009; 14 years ago
- **release version**: Service Pack 1 with January 2023 monthly update rollup (6.1.7601.26321)
- **preceded by**: Windows Vista
- **succeeded by**: Windows 8
- **support status**: Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015.
Extended support ended on January 14, 2020.
Windows 7 was eligible for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) service. This service was available via specific volume licensing programs for Professional & Enterprise editions, and via OEMs for some Windows 7 editions, in yearly installments. Security updates were available for the operating system until January 10, 2023.

Exceptions exist, such as for Azure customers until 2024, and see also #Support lifecycle, § Support lifecycle for details.

Installing Service Pack 1 is required for users to receive updates and support after April 9, 2013.

The installation of a Service Pack 1 was required for all users in order to receive security updates and support after April 9, 2013.
- **date**: January 2009


## Infobox (infobox)

- **title**: Support status summary
- **headerstyle**: background-color: #e8ece4
- **header1**: Expiration date
- **label2**: Mainstream support
- **label3**: Extended support
- **header4**: Applicable Windows 7 editions:
- **data5**: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate, as well as Professional for Embedded Systems and Ultimate for Embedded Systems
- **header6**: Exceptions
- **label7**: Professional and Enterprise volume licensed editions, as well as Professional for Embedded Systems
- **data7**: Extended Security Updates (ESU) support ended on January 10, 2023
- **label8**: Windows Thin PC
- **data8**: Mainstream support ended on October 11, 2016
Extended support ended on October 12, 2021
- **label9**: Windows Embedded Standard 7
- **data9**: Mainstream support ended on October 13, 2015
Extended support ended on October 13, 2020
Extended Security Updates (ESU) support ended on October 10, 2023
- **label10**: Windows Embedded POSReady 7
- **data10**: Mainstream support ended on October 11, 2016
Extended support ended on October 12, 2021
Extended Security Updates (ESU) support until October 8, 2024