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====Miscellaneous Shell enhancements====
Windows Explorer has received numerous minor enhancements that improve its overall functionality. The address bar and search box can be resized. The Command Bar features the ''New Folder'' command and a visible interface option to enable the Preview Pane (both were previously in the ''Organize'' option in Windows Vista). There is also aA new ''Share WithContent'' buttonicon onview themode Commandis Baradded, thatwhich allowsshows usersmetadata toand sharethumbnails. theThe currently''List'' viewedicon folderview ormode currentlyprovides selectedmore itemspace withbetween peopleitems than in aWindows homegroupVista. withStorage eithercapacity readindicators permissionsfor or with both read and write permissions, or with specific people, which opens the Sharinghard Wizarddisks introduced in Windows Vista; aare newnow ''Nobody''also sharingshown optionfor preventsremovable thestorage selecteddevices. folderFile ortypes itemfor fromwhich beingnew shared,[[iFilter]]s andor all itemsProperty thatHandlers are excludedinstalled inare thisreindexed mannerby featureWindows aSearch newby padlockdefault. overlay icon.
 
A new ''Content'' icon view mode is added, which shows metadata and thumbnails. The ''List'' icon view mode provides more space between items than in Windows Vista. Item groups have larger text. Storage capacity indicators for hard disks introduced in Windows Vista are now also shown for removable storage devices. File types for which new [[iFilter]]s or Property Handlers are installed are reindexed by Windows Search by default. When copying or moving items, selecting ''more details'' will show the filename of the current item being copied. The Navigation Pane includes a new ''Favorites'' ___location, which serves as the replacement for the ''Favorite Links'' functionality of the interface in Windows Vista, and newly created Saved Searches are automatically pinned to this ___location.
 
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=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2010/03/12/9977246.aspx|title=Simplifying context menu extensions with IExecuteCommand|work=The Old New Thing|first=Raymond|last=Chen|date=12 March 2010|access-date=16 February 2012|archive-date=6 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006233434/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2010/03/12/9977246.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd378382(v=vs.85).aspx|title=IExecuteCommand interface|work=[[MSDN]]|access-date=2012-02-27|archive-date=2011-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127234120/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd378382(v=vs.85).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
 
▲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=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2010/03/12/9977246.aspx|title=Simplifying context menu extensions with IExecuteCommand|work=The Old New Thing|first=Raymond|last=Chen|date=12 March 2010|access-date=16 February 2012|archive-date=6 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006233434/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2010/03/12/9977246.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd378382(v=vs.85).aspx|title=IExecuteCommand interface|work=[[MSDN]]|access-date=2012-02-27|archive-date=2011-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127234120/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd378382(v=vs.85).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
When importing pictures and videos, the ''Import Pictures and Videos'' wizard now displays the currently searched directory. After importing, an in-memory Saved Search titled ''Imported Pictures and Videos'' scopes the directory of the imported items and displays them to the user.
 
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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====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 canmay be manuallyeasily 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.--> |publisher= How-To Geek |access-date= 21 March 2013 |archive-date= 17 September 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130917161044/http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/add-the-quick-launch-bar-to-the-taskbar-in-windows-7/ |url-status= live }}</ref> 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.
 
[[Image:Windows 7 Aero Peak.png|thumb|left|The Windows 7 taskbar shows a preview of the window.]]
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|access-date=13 January 2009
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|work=Ars Technica
|archive-date=19 January 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119070053/http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/windows-7-beta.ars/4
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</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|last=Mukherjee|first=Abhijeet|title=15 Killer Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts That Might Surprise You|date=21 July 2010 |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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===Font management===
The user interface for font management has been overhauled in Windows 7. As with Windows Vista, the collection of installed fonts is displayed in a Windows Explorer window, but fonts that originate from the same font family appear as icons that are represented as stacks that display font previews within the interface. Windows 7 also introduces the option to hide installed fonts; certain fonts are automatically removed from view based on a user's regional settings.<ref name="SeveralUpdates">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd371704%28VS.85%29.aspx |title=ChooseFont() Win32 Common Dialog |author=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[MSDN]] |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106071718/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd371704(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> An option to manually hide installed fonts is also available. Hidden fonts remain installed but are not enumerated when an application asks for a list of available fonts, thus reducing the amount of fonts to scroll through within the interface and also reducing memory usage.<ref name="FontsUI">{{cite web |url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20081030/improvements-to-fonts-in-windows-7/ |title=Improvements to fonts in Windows 7 |last=Zheng |first=Long |date=October 30, 2008 |work=istartedsomething |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006024137/http://www.istartedsomething.com/20081030/improvements-to-fonts-in-windows-7/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows 7 includes over 40 new fonts,<ref name="Typography">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fonts/windows7.htm |title=New Fonts in Windows 7 |author=[[Microsoft]] |work=Typography |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620131057/http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fonts/windows7.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> including a new "Gabriola" font.<ref name="FontsUI"/><ref name="Gabriola">{{cite web |url=http://www.withinwindows.com/2008/10/29/users-say-hello-to-gabriola-gabriola-say-hello-to-your-users/ |title=Users, say hello to Gabriola. Gabriola, say hello to your users. |last=Rivera |first=Rafael |date=October 29, 2008 |work=Within Windows |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112073029/http://www.withinwindows.com/2008/10/29/users-say-hello-to-gabriola-gabriola-say-hello-to-your-users/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Users can
 
The dialog box for fonts in Windows 7 has also been updated to display font previews within the interface, which allows users to preview fonts before selecting them. Previous versions of windows only displayed the name of the font.<ref name="FontPreviews">{{cite web |url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090727/native-font-previews-in-windows-7/ |title=Native live font previews in Windows 7 |last=Zheng |first=Long |date=July 27, 2009 |work=istartedsomething |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301193114/http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090727/native-font-previews-in-windows-7/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FontDialog">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms646958%28VS.85%29.aspx |title=Font Dialog Box |author=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[MSDN]] |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106071716/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms646958(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
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|access-date=12 April 2009
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==Mobility enhancements==
 
===Multi-touch support===
Hilton LockLocke, who worked on the [[Microsoft Tablet PC|Tablet PC]] team at Microsoft, reported on December 11, 2007, that Windows 7 will have new touch features on devices supporting [[multi-touch]]. An overview and demonstration of the multi-touch capabilities, including a virtual piano program, a mapping and directions program and a touch-aware version of [[Microsoft Paint]], was given at the ''All Things Digital Conference'' on May 27, 2008; a video of the multi-touch capabilities was made available on the web later the same day.<ref name="Multi-touch">{{cite web |url=http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/05/27/microsoft-demonstrates-multi-touch.aspx |title=Microsoft demonstrates Multi-touch |last=Flores |first=Chris |date=May 27, 2008 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Windows Vista Team Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529043039/http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/05/27/microsoft-demonstrates-multi-touch.aspx |archive-date=May 29, 2008 |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref>
 
===Sensors===
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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=2011-02-14 }}
* [[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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}}</ref> On Microsoft Windows operating systems, scheduling of [[Thread (computing)|threads]] inside a [[Process (computing)|process]] is handled by the [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]], [[ntoskrnl.exe]]. While for most applications this is sufficient, applications with large [[Concurrent computing|concurrent]] threading requirements, such as a [[database server]], can benefit from having a thread scheduler in-process. This is because the kernel no longer needs to be involved in [[context switch]]es between threads, and it obviates the need for a [[thread pool]] mechanism, as threads can be created and destroyed much more quickly when no kernel context switches are required.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |author=Abraham Silberschatz, Peter Baer Galvin, Greg Gagne |title=Operating System Concepts, 10th Edition |date=2018 |publisher=Laurie Rosatone |publication-place=USA |page=308 |isbn= 978-1-119-32091-3}}</ref>
 
Prior to Windows 7, Windows used a one-to-one user thread to kernel-thread relationship.<ref>{{cite book |author=Abraham Silberschatz, Peter Baer Galvin, Greg Gagne |title=Operating System Concepts, 10th Edition |date=2018 |publisher=Laurie Rosatone |publication-place=USA |page=224 |isbn= 978-1-119-32091-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Abraham Silberschatz, Peter Baer Galvin, Greg Gagne |title=Operating System Concepts, 10th Edition |date=2018 |publisher=Laurie Rosatone |publication-place=USA |page=251 |isbn= 978-1-119-32091-3}}</ref> It was of course always possible to cobble together a rough many-to-one user-scheduler (with user-level ''timer'' [[interruptInterrupt|interrupts]]s) but if a [[system call]] was blocked on any one of the user threads, it would block the kernel thread and accordingly block all other user threads on the same scheduler.<ref name=":1" /> A many-to-one model could not take full advantage of [[symmetric multiprocessing]].
 
With Windows 7's user-mode scheduling, a program may configure one or more kernel threads as a scheduler supplied by a programming language [[Library (computing)|library]] (one per logical processor desired) and then create a user-mode thread pool from which these UMS can draw. The kernel maintains a list of outstanding system calls which allows the UMS to continue running without blocking the kernel thread. This configuration can be used as either many-to-one or many-to-many.
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* 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=28 October 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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==Multimedia==
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Transcoding (encoding) support is not exposed through any built-in Windows application but codecs are included as [[Media Foundation]] Transforms (MFTs).<ref name="MFTCodecs"/> In addition to [[Windows Media Audio]] and [[Windows Media Video]] encoders and decoders, and ASF file sink and file source introduced in Windows Vista,<ref name="MFTCodecs"/> Windows 7 includes an [[H.264]] encoder with Baseline profile level 3 and Main profile support<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd797816(VS.85).aspx |title=H.264 Video Encoder |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304095408/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd797816(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and an [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] Low Complexity ([[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC-LC]]) profile encoder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd742785(VS.85).aspx |title=AAC Encoder |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=13 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013084005/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd742785(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
For playback of various media formats, Windows 7 also introduces an H.264 decoder with Baseline, Main, and High profiles support, up to level 5.1,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd797815(VS.85).aspx |title=H.264 Video Decoder |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=21 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421161950/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd797815(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC-LC]] and [[High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding|HE-AAC]] v1 ([[Spectral band replication|SBR]]) multichannel, HE-AAC v2 ([[Parametric Stereo|PS]]) stereo decoders,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd742784(VS.85).aspx |title=AAC Decoder |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=18 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318062142/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd742784(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> [[MPEG-4 Part 2]] [[MPEG-4 Part 2#Simple Profile (SP)|Simple Profile]] and [[MPEG-4 Part 2#Advanced Simple Profile (ASP)|Advanced Simple Profile]] decoders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd756559(VS.85).aspx |title=MPEG4 Part 2 Video Decoder |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=11 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211070005/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd756559(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> which includes decoding popular codec implementations such as [[DivX]], [[Xvid]] and [[Nero Digital]] as well as [[MJPEG]]<ref name="MFTCodecs"/> and [[DV (video format)|DV]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd940322(VS.85).aspx |title=DV Video Decoder |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=29 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329062927/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd940322(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> MFT decoders for AVI. [[Windows Media Player 12]] uses the built-in Media Foundation codecs to play these formats by default.
 
Windows 7 also updates the [[DirectShow]] filters introduced in Windows Vista for playback of [[MPEG-2]] and [[Dolby Digital]] to decode H.264, AAC, HE-AAC v1 and v2<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd390676(VS.85).aspx |title=Microsoft MPEG-1/DD/AAC Audio Decoder |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203021615/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd390676(VS.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Dolby Digital Plus]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Robin |last=Selden |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/partner/archive/2009/11/17/windows-7-delivers-next-generation-audio.aspx |title=Windows 7 Delivers Next-Generation Audio |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Windows Partner Blog |date=17 November 2009 |access-date=24 November 2013 |archive-date=1 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501132833/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/partner/archive/2009/11/17/windows-7-delivers-next-generation-audio.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> (including downmixing to Dolby Digital).
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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=12 September 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=18 May 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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Resource Monitor includes an improved RAM usage display and supports display of [[Internet protocol suite|TCP/IP]] [[Port (computer networking)|ports]] being listened to, filtering processes using [[computer network|networking]], filtering processes with disk activity and listing and searching process handles (e.g. files used by a process) and loaded modules (files required by an executable file, e.g. [[Dynamic-link library|DLL]] files).
 
Microsoft Magnifier, an accessibility utility for low vision users has been dramatically improved. Magnifier now supports the full screen zoom feature, whereas previous Windows versions had the Magnifier attached to the top of the screen in a dock layout. The new full screen feature is enabled by default, however, it requires Windows Aero for the advantage of the full screen zoom feature. If Windows is set to the Windows 7 Basic, Windows Classic, or High Contrast themes, as well as having Magnifier to use a docked window instead of full screen, Magnifier will still function like it did in Windows Vista and earlier.
 
Windows Installer 5.0 supports installing and configuring [[Windows service|Windows Services]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/windows_installer_team/2009/03/05/enhanced-service-configuration-with-windows-installer-5-0/|title=Enhanced Service Configuration with Windows Installer 5.0|date=March 4, 2009|work=MSDN Blogs|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510024359/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/windows_installer_team/2009/03/05/enhanced-service-configuration-with-windows-installer-5-0/|url-status=live}}</ref> and provides developers with more control over setting permissions during software installation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/windows_installer_team/2009/03/05/enhanced-permissions-setting-with-windows-installer-5-0/|title=Enhanced Permissions Setting with Windows Installer 5.0|date=March 5, 2009|work=MSDN Blogs|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510024444/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/windows_installer_team/2009/03/05/enhanced-permissions-setting-with-windows-installer-5-0/|url-status=live}}</ref> Neither of these features will be available for prior versions of Windows; custom actions to support these features will continue to be required for Windows Installer packages that need to implement these features.
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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 1024x768. Any screen with a resolution below this displays the same startup screen that Vista used, which could also be forced to display by manually editing BCD settings.
* 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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* [[AVCHD]] camera support and Universal Video Class 1.1
* 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
|title=Multifunction Device Support and Device Container Groupings in Windows 7
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|url-status=live
}}</ref>
 
* Windows 7 will also contain a new [[IEEE 1394|FireWire (IEEE 1394)]] stack that fully supports IEEE 1394b with S800, S1600 and S3200 data rates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1394ta.org/developers/Seminars/2008_MS1394b.pdf|title=Microsoft's 1394 Strategy and Roadmap|publisher=1394 Trade Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606231859/http://www.1394ta.org/developers/Seminars/2008_MS1394b.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-describes-usb-3-0-delays/
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}}</ref>
 
* Windows 7 now offers theThe ability to join a [[Windows Server ___domain|___domain]] offline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd392267(WS.10).aspx|title=Offline Domain Join (Djoin.exe) Step-by-Step Guide|date=24 August 2009|access-date=30 October 2009|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-date=1 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901202154/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd392267(WS.10).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Service Control Manager in conjunction with the Windows [[Windows Task Scheduler|Task Scheduler]] supports trigger-start [[Windows service|services]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/philpenn/Trigger-Started-Services/ |title=Trigger Started Services: Channel9 Video |access-date=2010-08-09 |archive-date=2012-07-07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707201840/http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/philpenn/Trigger-Started-Services/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
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