Unlike Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista was already compatible. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called Home Group, and performance improvements. Some standard applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not included in Windows 7;most are instead offered separately at no charge as part of the Windows Essentials suite.
Hardware requirements
Computers that display this sticker meet the requirements for Windows 7.
Microsoft has published the minimum specifications for a system to run Windows 7.
Requirements for the 32-bit version are similar to that of premium editions of Vista, but are higher for 64-bit versions. Microsoft has released an upgrade advisor that determines if a computer is compatible with Windows 7.
Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7
Architecture 32-bit 64-bit
Processor 1 GHz IA-32 processor 1 GHz x86-64 processor
Memory (RAM) 1 GB 2 GB
Graphics card DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver model 1.0
(Not absolutely necessary; only required for Aero)
HDD free space 16 GB of free disk space 20 GB of free disk space
Optical drive DVD-ROM drive(Only to install from DVD-ROM media)
SATA AHCI
