Microsoft Windows 7
| A version of the Windows NT operating system | |
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Screenshot of Windows 7, showing its desktop, taskbar, Start menu and the glass effect of Windows Aero
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| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Source model | Closed source and shared source |
| Released to manufacturing |
July 22, 2009 |
| General availability |
October 22, 2009 |
| Latest release | Service Pack 1 (6.1.7601) / February 22, 2011 |
| Update method | Windows Update |
| Platforms | IA-32 and x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid |
| License | Proprietary commercial software |
| Preceded by | Windows Vista (2007) |
| Succeeded by | Windows 8 (2012) |
| Support status | |
| Mainstream support ended on January 13, 2015. Extended support ends on January 14, 2020. Installing Service Pack 1 is required for users to receive updates and support after April 9, 2013. |
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Windows 7 (codenamed Vienna, formerly Blackcomb) is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft. It is a part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009 and became generally available on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.
Windows 7 was primarily intended to be an incremental upgrade to the operating system, intended to address Windows Vista's poor critical reception while maintaining hardware and software compatibility. Windows 7 continued improvements on Windows Aero (the user interface introduced in Windows Vista) with the addition of a redesigned taskbar that allows applications to be "pinned" to it, and new window management features. Other new features were added to the operating system, including libraries, the new file sharing system HomeGroup, and support for multitouch input. A new "Action Center" interface was also added to provide an overview of system security and maintenance information, and tweaks were made to the User Account Control system to make it less intrusive. Windows 7 also shipped with updated versions of several stock applications, including Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player, and Windows Media Center.
In contrast to Windows Vista, Windows 7 was generally praised by critics, who considered the operating system to be a major improvement over its predecessor due to its increased performance, its more intuitive interface (with particular praise devoted to the new taskbar), fewer User Account Control popups, and other improvements made across the platform. Windows 7 was a major success for Microsoft; even prior to its official release, pre-order sales for 7 on the online retailer Amazon.com had surpassed previous records. In just six months, over 100 million copies had been sold worldwide, increasing to over 630 million licenses by July 2012. Windows 7 was the most popular Windows variant up to January 2018, when Windows 10 edged it out globally, with a market share of 44.81% for "desktop operating systems." Windows 7 remains popular in most countries, particularly on the continents of Asia and Africa.
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