Window 7
Microsoft launched for general availability of Windows 7 on 22 October 2009. Windows 7 is the latest version of Microsoft Windows that comes after Windows Vista. It has a lot of new and enhanced features to improve user experience (like faster boot up and shutdown) and security.
Native support of devices like fingerprint sensors is now available. For mobile business users, native support for mobile broadband devices (e.g. 3G/3.5G USB modem) is now available. Location aware printing eliminates the effort of changing default printer in different locations (e.g. home and office).
Product Information
Product Editions
There are six editions of Windows 7:
- Starter (32-bit version only)
- Home Basic,
- Home Premium,
- Professional,
- Enterprise and
- Ultimate.
(both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available for other editions)
Home Basic edition is not available in Hong Kong and is only sold in emerging countries like Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan.
Home Premium and Professional are the two primary editions which target to consumer and business users respectively.
|
* Full Packaged Product (FPP) is a box set product including CD/DVD and End User License Agreement (EULA).
Suggested Retail Price from Microsoft (box set) 
|
Same price for Chinese and English versions
(Source: From Microsoft Hong Kong as at 15-10-2009)
Windows Anytime Upgrade
User can upgrade a Windows 7 edition to a higher edition online through Windows Anytime Upgrade after purchasing an upgrade key. It is available in the following edition:
| |||||||||||||||||||
Key Dates 
|
Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts Summary 
Windows 7 introduces some new shortcut keys. The following lists some keyboard shortcuts that are considered to be common.
|
Some useful features in Windows 7 for business users and their considerations are highlighted below:
BitLocker to Go
BitLocker to Go is a full-disk encryption solution for protecting files and data in removable storage devices, such as USB sticks, from unauthorized access. However, only Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate versions can turn on the Bitlocker to Go which encrypts the removable drive. After enabling the encryption, any Windows 7 version is able to read or write files from/into that encrypted drive. Moreover, Windows Vista and Windows XP can read, but not ｕｐ ｄａｔｅ, files in that encrypted drive.
BranchCache
BranchCache improves remote file access which enhances the capability of remote office users. Files that have been retrieved by a user in that remote office are stored in the branch server so that subsequent users can retrieve the same files locally. As a result, both the retrieval time and WAN bandwidth requirement can be reduced.
BranchCache is only available for Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate version and the content server in central office should be Windows Server 2008 R2. However, this feature improves the speed in retrieving a file but not saving files.
DirectAccess
DirectAccess is a clientless VPN solution that enables users to access corporate intranet from public Internet. DirectAccess utilizes the IPsec to ｃ ｒｅａｔｅ a trusted connection between the user desktop and corporate intranet via public Internet. As a result, the user is able to access the corporate intranet during overseas trips or when in the home. DirectAccess is only available for Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate version and the server should be Windows Server 2008 R2.
64-bit version of Windows 7
64-bit version of Windows has been available since the introduction of Windows XP. This enables the computer to utilize more than 4GB memory. According to Gartner's recommendation, those workstations that require more than 3GB memory (or are required to run memory-demanding applications) are required to consider the installation of a 64-bit version of Windows 7. At present, the 32-bit version of Windows is powerful enough for workstations running office applications.
All Windows 7 editions except Starter edition have the 64-bit version. The 64-bit version and the 32-bit version of Windows 7 are two different operating systems. Hence, legacy device drivers, security utilities (such as VPN) and browser-based applications may have the compatibility problems in 64-bit versions of Windows 7, even though they can run properly in the 32-bit versions.
XP Mode
Windows 7 offers Windows XP Mode (XPM) to allow XP legacy applications to run in a virtual copy of Windows XP. XPM is a full version of XP. It provides a workaround solution for those XP applications that cannot be run on Windows 7 properly. However, Windows 7 and XPM cannot share using some licensing applications (such as Office). Separate installation and additional licence for that application would be required in XPM. This feature is available in Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions only with separate download of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode. It needs higher requirements for memory and CPU. Minimum 2GB RAM and processor supporting Virtualization Technology (VT) are required.
