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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Windows 7}}
Some of the '''new features included in [[Windows 7]]''' are advancements in touch, [[speech recognition|speech]]<ref name="SpeechRecognition">{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/tsfaware/2009/01/29/whats-new-in-windows-speech-recognition/|title=What's new in Windows Speech Recognition?|last=Brown|first=Eric|date=January 29, 2009|work=MSDN Blogs|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711091829/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/tsfaware/2009/01/29/whats-new-in-windows-speech-recognition/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[handwriting recognition]], support for [[VHD (file format)|virtual hard disks]], support for additional [[file format]]s, improved performance on [[multi-core]] processors,<ref name="ProcessingTweaks">{{cite web |url=
==Shell and user interface==
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===Desktop===
[[File:Windows 7 Desktop Slide Show.png|thumb|right|The Desktop Slideshow feature in Windows 7
====Themes====
Support for themes has been extended in Windows 7.<ref name="AeroThemes">{{cite web|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-aero-themes|title=Windows 7 Feature Focus: Aero Themes|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|author-link=Paul Thurrott|date=October 6, 2010|work=SuperSite for Windows|publisher=[[Penton (company)|Penton]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111083125/http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-aero-themes|archive-date=January 11, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> In addition to providing options to customize colors of window chrome and other aspects of the interface including the desktop background, icons, mouse cursors, and sound schemes, the operating system also includes a native [[#Desktop Slideshow|desktop slideshow]] feature. A new theme pack extension has been introduced, <code>.themepack</code>, which is essentially a collection of [[Cabinet (file format)|cabinet files]] that consist of theme resources including background images, color preferences, desktop icons, mouse cursors, and sound schemes.<ref name="ThemeFiles">{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/Controls/themesfileformat-overview|title=Theme File Format|date=May 31, 2018|work=[[Microsoft Developer Network]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426113413/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/Controls/themesfileformat-overview|url-status=live}}</ref> The new theme extension simplifies sharing of themes and can also display desktop wallpapers via [[RSS|RSS feeds]] provided by the
The default theme in Windows 7 consists of a single desktop wallpaper named "Harmony" and the default desktop icons, mouse cursors, and sound scheme introduced in Windows Vista; however, none of the desktop backgrounds included with Windows Vista are present in Windows 7. New themes include ''Architecture'', ''Characters'', ''Landscapes'', ''Nature'', and ''Scenes'', and an additional country-specific theme that is determined based on the defined locale when the operating system is installed; although only the theme for a user's home country is displayed within the user interface, the files for all of these other country-specific themes are included in the operating system.<ref name="RegionalThemes">{{cite web |url=http://blog.brothersoft.com/2009/01/18/how-to-activate-all-regional-themes-in-windows-7/ |title=How to Activate All Regional Themes in Windows 7 |publisher=Brothersoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130134256/http://blog.brothersoft.com/2009/01/18/how-to-activate-all-regional-themes-in-windows-7/ |archive-date=January 30, 2009 |url-status=usurped |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> All themes included in Windows 7—excluding the default theme—include six wallpaper images.<ref name="AeroThemes"/> A number of new sound schemes (each associated with an included theme) have also been introduced: ''Afternoon'', ''Calligraphy'', ''Characters'', ''Cityscape'', ''Delta'', ''Festival'', ''Garden'', ''Heritage'', ''Landscape'', ''Quirky'', ''Raga'', ''Savana'', and ''Sonata''.<ref name="ThurrottSounds">{{cite web|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-build-7048-notes|title=Windows 7 Build 7048 Notes|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|author-link=Paul Thurrott|date=October 6, 2010|work=SuperSite for Windows|publisher=[[Penton (company)|Penton]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108110742/http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-build-7048-notes|archive-date=January 8, 2015|access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name="SoundofWindows">{{cite web |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2011/01/10/your-pc-is-alive-with-the-sound-of-windows.aspx |title=Your PC is alive...with the sound of Windows! |last=Shepherd |first=Jennifer |date=January 10, 2011 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=The Windows Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113151944/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2011/01/10/your-pc-is-alive-with-the-sound-of-windows.aspx |archive-date=January 13, 2011 |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> Themes may introduce their own custom sounds, which can be used with others themes as well.<ref name="ReusingCustomSounds">{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2011/03/31/windows-7-themes-reusing-custom-sound-schemes/|title=Windows 7 themes: Reusing 'custom' sound-schemes|last=Shepherd|first=Jennifer|date=March 31, 2011|work=Windows Blogs|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429021921/https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2011/03/31/windows-7-themes-reusing-custom-sound-schemes/|archive-date=April 29, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 29, 2019}}</ref>
====Desktop Slideshow====
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====Federated search====
Windows Explorer also supports federating search to external data sources, such as custom databases or web services, that are exposed over the web and described via an [[OpenSearch (specification)|OpenSearch]] definition. The federated ___location description (called a ''Search Connector'') is provided as an <code>.osdx</code> file. Once installed, the data source becomes queryable directly from Windows Explorer. Windows Explorer features, such as previews and thumbnails, work with the results of a federated search as well.
====Miscellaneous Shell enhancements====
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There is a new ''Share With'' button on the Command Bar that allows users to share the currently viewed folder or currently selected item with people in a homegroup with either read permissions or with both read and write permissions, or with specific people, which opens the Sharing Wizard introduced in Windows Vista; a new ''Nobody'' sharing option prevents the selected folder or item from being shared, and all items that are excluded in this manner feature a new padlock overlay icon.
Previously, adding submenus to Shell context menus or customizing the context menu's behavior for a certain folder was only possible by installing a form of [[plug-in (computing)|plug-in]] known as [[Shell extension]]s. In Windows 7, however, users can edit the [[Windows Registry]] or configuration files.<ref>{{cite web|title=Creating Shortcut Menu Handlers|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc144171%28VS.85%29.aspx#static_cascading|work=[[MSDN]]|publisher=Microsoft Corporation|access-date=18 February 2012|___location=Creating Static Cascading Menus|date=9 July 2011|archive-date=28 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228123243/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc144171(VS.85).aspx#static_cascading|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How to Implement Custom Verbs for Folders through Desktop.ini|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh127441%28v=vs.85%29.aspx|work=[[MSDN]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=18 February 2012|date=9 July 2011|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023083458/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh127441(v=vs.85).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, a new Shell [[API]] was introduced designed to simplify the writing of [[context menu]] [[Shell extension#Extensibility|shell extensions]] by software developers.<ref>{{cite web|url=
Windows 7 includes native support for burning [[Optical disc image|ISO files]]. The functionality is available when a user selects the ''Burn disc image'' option within the context menu of an ISO file (support for disc image verification is also included). In previous versions of Windows, users were required to install third-party software to burn ISO images.<ref name="BurnISOImages">{{cite web |url=http://www.windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2009/04/13/burn-iso-images-natively-in-windows-7.aspx |title=Burn ISO Images Natively in Windows 7 |last=LeBlanc |first=Brandon |date=April 13, 2009 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Windows Experience Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415170148/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2009/04/13/burn-iso-images-natively-in-windows-7.aspx |archive-date=April 15, 2009 |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref>
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The start button now has a fade-in highlight effect when the user hovers over it with the mouse cursor. The right column of the Start menu is now prominently the Aero Glass color; in Windows Vista, it was predominantly black regardless of the color in use.
[[File:Windows 7 Start Menu - search results.png|thumb|The search results pane in Windows 7, demonstrating a search for the word "wireless"
Windows 7's [[Start menu]] retains the two-column layout of its predecessors, with several functional changes:
* ''Documents'', ''Music'', and ''Pictures'' now link to their respective Libraries
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The [[taskbar|Windows Taskbar]] has seen its most significant revision since its introduction in [[Windows 95]] and combines the previous Quick Launch functionality with open application window icons. The taskbar is now rendered as an Aero Glass element whose color can be changed via the Personalization Control Panel. It is 10 [[pixel]]s taller than in Windows Vista to accommodate touch screen input and a new larger default icon size (although a smaller taskbar size is available), as well as maintain proportion to newer high resolution monitor modes.<ref>{{cite web |first=Long |last=Zheng |url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090105/measuring-up-windows-7s-new-super-taskbar/ |title=Measuring up Windows 7′s new "super" taskbar |work=I Started Something |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203082636/http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090105/measuring-up-windows-7s-new-super-taskbar/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Running applications are denoted by a border frame around the icon. Within this border, a color effect (dependent on the predominant color of the icon) that follows the mouse cursor also indicates the opened status of the application. The glass taskbar is more translucent than in Windows Vista. Taskbar buttons show icons by default, not application titles, unless they are set to 'not combine', or 'combine when taskbar is full.' In this case, only icons are shown when the application is not running. Programs running or pinned on the taskbar can be rearranged. Items in the notification area can also be rearranged.
{{wide image|Windows 7 Taskbar.png|800px|The default taskbar of Windows 7
====Pinned applications====
The Windows 7 taskbar is more application-oriented than window-oriented, and therefore doesn't show window titles (these are shown when an application icon is clicked or hovered over). Applications can now be pinned to the taskbar allowing the user instant access to the applications they commonly use. There are a few ways to pin applications to the taskbar. Icons can be dragged and dropped onto the taskbar, or the application's icon can be right-clicked to pin it to the taskbar. The Quick Launch toolbar has been removed from the default configuration, but can be manually added back.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/add-the-quick-launch-bar-to-the-taskbar-in-windows-7/ |title= Add the Quick Launch Bar to the Taskbar in Windows 7 |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |
[[Image:Windows 7 Aero Peak.png|thumb|left|The Windows 7 taskbar shows a preview of the window.]]
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Thumbnail previews which were introduced in Windows Vista have been expanded to not only preview the windows opened by the application in a small-sized thumbnail view, but to also interact with them. The user can close any window opened by clicking the X on the corresponding thumbnail preview. The name of the window is also shown in the thumbnail preview. A "peek" at the window is obtained by hovering over the thumbnail preview. Peeking brings up only the window of the thumbnail preview over which the mouse cursor hovers, and turns any other windows on the desktop transparent. This also works for tabs in Internet Explorer: individual tabs may be peeked at in the thumbnail previews. Thumbnail previews integrate Thumbnail Toolbars<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dd942846.aspx#id0420081|title=Introducing The Taskbar APIs|date=July 2009|work=[[MSDN]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=March 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325042123/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dd942846.aspx#id0420081|url-status=live}}</ref> which can control the application from the thumbnail previews themselves. For example, if Windows Media Player is opened and the mouse cursor is hovering on the application icon, the thumbnail preview will allow the user the ability to Play, Stop, and Play Next/Previous track without having to switch to the Windows Media Player window.
[[Image:Windows Media Player JumpList.png|thumb|right|[[Windows Media Player]] Jump List
====Jump lists====
Jump lists are menu options available by right-clicking a taskbar icon or holding the left mouse button and sliding towards the center of the desktop on an icon. Each application has a jump list corresponding to its features, Microsoft Word's displaying recently opened documents; Windows Media Player's recent tracks and playlists; frequently opened directories in [[Windows Explorer]]; Internet Explorer's recent browsing history and options for opening new tabs or starting InPrivate Browsing; Windows Live Messenger's common tasks such as instant messaging, signing off, and changing online status. Third-party software can add custom actions through a dedicated [[API]]. Up to 10 menu items may appear on a list, partially customizable by user. Frequently used files and folders can be pinned by the user as to not get usurped from the list if others are opened more frequently.<ref name=taskbarAPI>{{cite web |last1=Kiriaty |first1=Yochay |last2=Goldshtein |first2=Sasha |title=Windows 7 Taskbar APIs |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2009/brownfield/windows-7-taskbar-apis |website=docs.microsoft.com |access-date=21 August 2021 |language=en-us |date=2009 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821123232/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/msdn-magazine/2009/brownfield/windows-7-taskbar-apis |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://malektips.com/windows-7-jump-list-size-increase-decrease.html |title=Adjust Size of Jump Lists on Windows 7 Taskbar |work=MalekTips.com |publisher=Envision Programming |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=26 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426052052/http://malektips.com/windows-7-jump-list-size-increase-decrease.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Image:Windows 7 Action Center - Balloon.png|left|thumb|The redesigned notification area with balloon notification showing [[Windows security center|Action Center]] messages]]▼
[[Image:Action-centre-warning.PNG|thumb|right|Action Center displaying notification of security threats]]▼
====Task progress====
[[File:Windows 7 Task progress.jpg|left|thumb|A testing program using Task progress]]▼
Progress bar in taskbar's tasks allows users to know the progress of a task without switching to the pending window.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thurrott|first1=Paul|title=Windows 7 Feature Focus: Windows Taskbar|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-windows-taskbar|website=Supersite Windows|access-date=2017-05-03|archive-date=2017-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925152846/http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-feature-focus-windows-taskbar|url-status=live}}</ref> Task progress is used in Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer and third-party software.
▲[[File:Windows 7 Task progress.jpg|left|thumb|A testing program using Task progress]]
====Notification area====
▲[[Image:Windows 7 Action Center - Balloon.png
The notification area has been redesigned; the standard Volume, Network, Power and Action Center status icons are present, but no other application icons are shown unless the user has chosen them to be shown. A new "Notification Area Icons" control panel has been added which replaces the "Customize Notification Icons" dialog box in the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" window first introduced in [[Windows XP]]. In addition to being able to configure whether the application icons are shown, the ability to hide each application's notification [[Balloon help|balloons]] has been added. The user can then view the notifications at a later time.
A triangle to the left of the visible notification icons displays the hidden notification icons. Unlike Windows Vista and Windows XP, the hidden icons are displayed in a window above the taskbar, instead of on the taskbar. Icons can be dragged between this window and the notification area.
[[Image:Aero Peek.png|left|thumb|Windows 7 desktop displayed through Peek
====Aero Peek====
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|df=dmy-all
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mukherjee|first=Abhijeet|title=15 Killer Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts That Might Surprise You|url=http://www.guidingtech.com/4535/windows-7-keyboard-shortcut/|publisher=Guiding Tech|access-date=13 October 2012|archive-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929063238/http://www.guidingtech.com/4535/windows-7-keyboard-shortcut/|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
▲<ref>{{cite web|last=Mukherjee|first=Abhijeet|title=15 Killer Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts That Might Surprise You|url=http://www.guidingtech.com/4535/windows-7-keyboard-shortcut/|publisher=Guiding Tech|access-date=13 October 2012|archive-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929063238/http://www.guidingtech.com/4535/windows-7-keyboard-shortcut/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Global keyboard shortcuts:
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====Device Stage====
[[File:Windows 7 - Device Stage (Sansa e250).png|thumb|A Device Stage window showing available options for a [[Microsoft]] Wireless Comfort [[Computer keyboard|Keyboard]] 4000
Device Stage provides a centralized ___location for an externally connected multi-function device to present its functionality to the user. When a device such as a [[portable music player]] is connected to the system, the device appears as an icon on the task bar, as well as in Windows Explorer.
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===Hibernation improvements===
The
===Power analysis and reporting===
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===DirectX===
* [[Direct3D 11]] is included with Windows 7. It is a strict super-set of Direct3D 10.1, which was introduced in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008.
* [[Direct2D]] and [[DirectWrite]], new [[hardware acceleration|hardware-accelerated]] [[vector graphics]] and [[font rendering]] [[API]]s built on top of Direct3D 10 that are intended to replace [[Graphics Device Interface|GDI]]/GDI+ for screen-oriented native-code graphics and text drawing. They can be used from managed applications with the [http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/WindowsAPICodePack Windows API Code Pack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214011000/http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/WindowsAPICodePack |date=February 14, 2011 }}
* [[Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform]] (WARP), a software rasterizer component for DirectX that provides all of the capabilities of Direct3D 10.0 and 10.1 in software.<ref>
{{cite web
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Windows 7 also makes use of the [[Trim (computing)|TRIM command]]. If supported by the SSD (not implemented on early devices), this optimizes when erase cycles are performed, reducing the need to erase blocks before each write and increasing write performance.
Several tools and techniques that were implemented in the past to reduce the impact of the [[rotational latency]] of traditional HDDs, most notably [[defragmentation|disk defragmentation]], [[Windows Vista I/O technologies#SuperFetch|SuperFetch]], [[ReadyBoost]], and application launch [[prefetcher|prefetching]], involve reorganizing (rewriting) the data on the platters. Since SSDs have no moving platters, this reorganization has no advantages, and may instead shorten the life of the solid state memory. Therefore, these tools are by default disabled on SSDs in Windows 7, except for some early generation SSDs that might still benefit.
Finally, [[Disk partitioning|partitions]] made with Windows 7's partition-creating tools are created with the SSD's alignment needs in mind, avoiding unwanted systematic write amplification.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2009/05/05/support-and-qa-for-solid-state-drives/|title=Engineering Windows 7 : Support and Q&A for Solid-State Drives|last=Sinofsky|first=Steven|author-link=Steven Sinofsky|date=May 5, 2009|website=MSDN Blogs|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214010034/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2009/05/05/support-and-qa-for-solid-state-drives/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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}}</ref>
* Support for up to 256 logical processors<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/windows-7-details-galore-interface-tweaks-netbook-builds-medi/ |title=Windows 7 details galore: interface tweaks, netbook builds, Media Center enhancements |date=October 28, 2008 |access-date=2017-08-27 |archive-date=2017-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214042111/https://www.engadget.com/2008/10/28/windows-7-details-galore-interface-tweaks-netbook-builds-medi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Fewer hardware locks and greater parallelism<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/philpenn/archive/2009/01/02/fewer-hardware-locks-and-greater-parallelism.aspx
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==Security==
[[Image:Action Center on Windows 7.png|thumb|left|The new Action Center which replaces Windows Security Center]]
▲[[Image:Action-centre-warning.PNG|thumb|right|Action Center displaying notification of security threats]]
[[Security and Maintenance#Windows 7|Action Center]], formerly Windows Security Center, now encompasses both [[computer security|security]] and [[computer maintenance|maintenance]]. It was called Windows Health Center and Windows Solution Center in earlier builds.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}
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==Networking==
* [[DirectAccess]], a [[virtual private network|VPN]] tunnel technology based on [[IPv6]] and [[IPsec]]. DirectAccess requires ___domain-joined machines, Windows Server 2008 R2 on the DirectAccess server, at least Windows Server 2008 [[___domain controllers]] and a [[public key infrastructure|PKI]] to issue authentication certificates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-7/dd367855(v=ws.10)|title=What's New in Windows 7 Networking|date=September 12, 2012|work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428232750/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-7/dd367855(v=ws.10)|url-status=live}}</ref>
* BranchCache, a [[WAN optimization]] technology.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd637832(WS.10).aspx |title=Branch Cache Overview |date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=2017-08-26 |archive-date=2017-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826201357/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd637832(WS.10).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The [[Bluetooth]] stack includes improvements introduced in the Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless, namely, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support and remote wake from S3 or S4 support for self-powered Bluetooth modules.<ref name="MSBTFAQ">{{Cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/c/5/9c5b2167-8017-4bae-9fde-d599bac8184a/Bth_FAQ.docx |title=Bluetooth Wireless Technology FAQ |access-date=2010-03-16 |archive-date=2018-12-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223163558/http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/c/5/9c5b2167-8017-4bae-9fde-d599bac8184a/Bth_FAQ.docx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Network Driver Interface Specification|NDIS]] 6.20<ref name=NDIS>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd568055.aspx|title=Windows Driver Kit – Introducing NDIS 6.20|publisher=MSDN|access-date=14 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728215656/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd568055.aspx|archive-date=28 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> (Network Driver Interface Specification)
* [[WWAN]] (Mobile broadband) support (driver model based on NDIS miniport driver for CDMA and GSM device interfaces, Connection Manager support and Mobile Broadband COM and COM Interop API).
* Wireless Hosted Network capabilities: The Windows 7 [[Wireless Zero Configuration|wireless LAN service]] supports two new functions – Virtual Wi-Fi, that allows a single [[wireless network]] adapter to act like two client devices,<ref name=VWiFi>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/microsofts-virtual-wifi-will-make-windows-7-wireless-adapters-d/|title=Microsoft's Virtual WiFi will make Windows 7 wireless adapters do a double-take|date=May 18, 2009 |access-date=2017-08-27|archive-date=2017-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810171356/https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/microsofts-virtual-wifi-will-make-windows-7-wireless-adapters-d/|url-status=live}}</ref> or a software-based wireless access point (SoftAP) to act as both a [[wireless hotspot]] in infrastructure mode and a wireless client at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/30/windows_7/|title=Hack slots hotspots into Windows 7|author=Bill Ray|website=[[The Register]] |date=30 October 2009|access-date=31 October 2009|archive-date=2 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102012011/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/30/windows_7/|url-status=live}}</ref> This feature is not exposed through the GUI; however the ''Virtual WiFi Miniport adapter'' can be installed and enabled for wireless adapters with drivers that support a hosted network by using the command ''netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow "ssid=<network SSID>" "key=<wlan security key>" keyusage=persistent|temporary'' at an elevated command prompt.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd815243(VS.85).aspx |title=About the Wireless Hosted Network |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=2009-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030081941/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd815243(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The wireless SoftAP can afterwards be started using the command ''netsh wlan start hostednetwork''. Windows 7 also supports WPA2-PSK/AES security for the hosted network, but DNS resolution for clients requires it to be used with [[Internet Connection Sharing]] or a similar feature.
* SMB 2.1, which includes minor performance enhancements over [[Server Message Block|SMB]]2, such as a new opportunistic locking mechanism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d8541618-5c63-4c4d-a0fd-d942cd3d2ec6|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=2 November 2009|date=21 October 2009|title=Implementing an End-User Data Centralization Solution|pages=10–11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906141857/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d8541618-5c63-4c4d-a0fd-d942cd3d2ec6|archive-date=6 September 2010}}</ref>
* RDP 7.0<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/969084/description-of-the-remote-desktop-connection-7-0-client-update-for-rem|title=Description of the Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 client update for Remote Desktop Services (RDS) for Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1, and Windows Vista SP2|date=October 27, 2009|website=Microsoft Support|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127195825/https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/969084/description-of-the-remote-desktop-connection-7-0-client-update-for-rem/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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* Windows 7 improves the Tablet PC Input Panel to make faster corrections using new gestures, supports text prediction in the soft keyboard and introduces a new Math Input Panel for inputting math into programs that support [[MathML]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2009/04/23/ink-input-and-tablet-pc/|title=Ink Input and Tablet PC – Engineering Windows 7|last=Sinofsky|first=Steven|author-link=Steven Sinofsky|date=April 23, 2009|website=MSDN Blogs|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525005135/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2009/04/23/ink-input-and-tablet-pc/|url-status=live}}</ref> It recognizes handwritten math expressions and formulas. Additional language support for handwriting recognition can be gained by installing the respective MUI pack for that language (also called language pack).
* Windows 7 introduces a new ''Problem Steps Recorder'' tool that enables users to record their interaction with software for analysis and support. The feature can be used to replicate a problem to show support when and where a problem occurred.<ref name="PSR">{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd320286.aspx |title=Problem Steps Recorder overview |author=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |access-date=June 24, 2015 |archive-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310041755/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd320286.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* As opposed to the mostly blank start-up screen in Windows Vista, Windows 7's start-up screen consists of an animation featuring four colored light balls (one red, one yellow, one green, and one blue). They twirl around for a few seconds and then merge to form a glowing Windows logo. This only occurs on displays with a vertical resolution of 768 pixels or higher, as the animation is rendered at 1024x768. Any screen with a resolution below this displays the same startup screen that Vista used, which
* The Starter Edition of Windows 7 can run an unlimited number of applications, compared to only 3 in Windows Vista Starter. Microsoft had initially intended to ship Windows 7 Starter Edition with this limitation, but announced after the release of the Release Candidate that this restriction would not be imposed in the final release.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/05/29/let-s-talk-about-windows-7-starter.aspx
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* For developers, Windows 7 includes a new networking API with support for building [[SOAP]]-based web services in [[machine code|native code]] (as opposed to .NET-based [[Windows Communication Foundation|WCF]] web services),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC01/|title=Windows 7: Web Services in Native Code|publisher=PDC 2008|access-date=26 September 2008|archive-date=2 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102130520/http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC01/|url-status=live}}</ref> new features to shorten application install times, reduced UAC prompts, simplified development of installation packages,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC42/|title=Windows 7: Deploying Your Application with Windows Installer (MSI) and ClickOnce|publisher=PDC 2008|access-date=26 September 2008|archive-date=9 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009030313/http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC42/|url-status=live}}</ref> and improved globalization support through a new Extended Linguistic Services API.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC52/|title=Windows 7: Writing World-Ready Applications|publisher=PDC 2008|access-date=26 September 2008|archive-date=9 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009030340/http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC52/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* If an application crashes twice in a row, Windows 7 will automatically attempt to apply a [[Shim (computing)|shim]]. If an application fails to install a similar self-correcting fix, a tool that asks some questions about the application launches.<ref>[http://www.tgdaily.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=39940 Application Self-Healing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119064721/http://www.tgdaily.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=39940 |date=2008-11-19 }} accessed on Jan 30 2009</ref>
* Windows 7 includes an optional [[TIFF]] [[IFilter]] that enables indexing of TIFF documents by reading them with [[optical character recognition]] (OCR), thus making their text content searchable. TIFF iFilter supports Adobe TIFF Revision 6.0 specifications and four compression schemes: [[Lempel–Ziv–Welch|LZW]], [[JPEG]], [[Group 4 compression|CCITT v4]], CCITT v6<ref>{{cite web|title=Windows TIFF IFilter Installation and Operations Guide|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd755985%28v=ws.10%29.aspx|work=[[Microsof TechNet|TechNet]]|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=24 November 2013|date=30 April 2009|archive-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223707/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd755985%28v=ws.10%29.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The [[Windows Console]] now adheres to the current Windows theme
* Games such as Internet [[Spades (card game)|Spades]], Internet [[Backgammon]] and Internet [[Checkers]], which were removed from Windows Vista, were
* Users can disable as many more Windows components than was possible in Windows Vista. The new components which can now be disabled include: ''Handwriting Recognition'', ''Internet Explorer'', ''Windows DVD Maker'', ''Windows Fax and Scan'', ''Windows Gadget Platform'' ''Windows Media Center'', ''Windows Media Player'', ''[[Windows Search]]'', and the ''XPS Viewer'' (with its services).<ref name="Engineering Windows 7">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/06/beta-to-rc-changes-turning-windows-features-on-or-off.aspx|title=Beta to RC Changes – Turning Windows Features On or Off|access-date=2009-03-27|archive-date=2010-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507012154/http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/06/beta-to-rc-changes-turning-windows-features-on-or-off.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Windows XP Mode]] is a fully functioning copy of 32-bit [[Windows XP Professional]] SP3 running in a [[virtual machine]] in [[Windows Virtual PC]] (as opposed to [[Hyper-V]]) running on top of [[Windows 7]]. Through the use of the RDP protocol, it allows applications incompatible with Windows 7 to be run on the underlying Windows XP virtual machine, but still to appear to be part of the Windows 7 desktop,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2009/04/24/secret-no-more-revealing-windows-xp-mode-for-windows-7|title=Secret No More: Revealing Windows XP Mode for Windows 7|last=Rivera|first=Rafael|date=24 April 2009|work=Within Windows|access-date=23 November 2013|archive-date=30 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630104452/http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2009/04/24/secret-no-more-revealing-windows-xp-mode-for-windows-7|url-status=live}}</ref> thereby sharing the native Start Menu of Windows 7 as well as participating in file type associations. It is not distributed with Windows 7 media, but is offered as a free download to users of the Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions from Microsoft's web site. Users of Home Premium who want Windows XP functionality on their systems can download [[Windows Virtual PC]] free of charge, but must provide their own licensed copy of Windows XP. XP Mode is intended for consumers rather than enterprises, as it offers no central management capabilities. Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (Med-V) is available for the enterprise market.
*
* Supports [[AVCHD]] camera support and Universal Video Class 1.1.
* Supports Protected Broadcast Driver Architecture (PBDA) for [[TV tuner]] cards, first implemented in Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 for Windows Vista.
* Multi-function devices and Device Containers: Prior to Windows 7, every device attached to the system was treated as a single functional end-point, known as a ''devnode'', that has a set of capabilities and a "status". While this is appropriate for single-function devices (such as a keyboard or scanner), it does not accurately represent multi-function devices such as a combined printer, fax machine, and scanner, or web-cams with a built-in microphone. In Windows 7, the drivers and status information for multi-function device can be grouped together as a single "Device Container", which is presented to the user in the new "Devices and Printers" Control Panel as a single unit. This capability is provided by a new [[Plug and Play]] property, <code>ContainerID</code>, which is a [[Universally unique identifier|Globally Unique Identifier]] that is different for every instance of a physical device. The Container ID can be embedded within the device by the manufacturer, or created by Windows and associated with each devnode when it is first connected to the computer. In order to ensure the uniqueness of the generated Container ID, Windows will attempt to use information unique to the device, such as a [[MAC address]] or USB serial number. Devices connected to the computer via [[USB]], [[IEEE 1394]] (FireWire), [[eSATA]], [[PCI Express]], [[Bluetooth]], and [[Windows Rally]]'s PnP-X support can make use of Device Containers.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/Device/DeviceExperience/ContainerIDs.mspx
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* Windows 7
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