People who did not complete downloading the beta had two extra days to complete the download, and, after February 1. Users could still obtain product keys from Microsoft to activate their copies of Windows 7 Beta, which expired on August 1, 2. The release candidate, build 7. MSDN and Tech. Net subscribers and Connect Program participants on April 3. On May 5, 2. 00. 9, it became available to the general public, although it had also been leaked onto the Internet via Bit. Torrent. Microsoft released Windows 7 to MSDN and Technet subscribers on August 6, 2. PDT. Windows 7 RTM is build 7.
July 1. 3, 2. 00. RTM build after passing all Microsoft's tests internally. Windows 7 adds support for systems using multiple heterogeneous graphics cards from different vendors (Heterogeneous Multi- adapter).
Ready. Boost on 3. Windows 7 also supports images in RAW image format through the addition of Windows Imaging Component- enabled image decoders, which enables raw image thumbnails, previewing and metadata display in Windows Explorer, plus full- size viewing and slideshows in Windows Photo Viewer and Windows Media Center. Buttons for pinned applications are integrated with the task buttons. These buttons also enable Jump Lists to allow easy access to common tasks. To the far right of the system clock is a small rectangular button that serves as the Show desktop icon. By default, hovering over this button makes all visible windows transparent for a quick look at the desktop. When a user moves windows that were snapped or maximized using Snap, the system restores their previous state.
Snap functions can also be triggered with keyboard shortcuts. Shake hides all inactive windows when the active window's title bar is dragged back and forth rapidly (metaphorically shaken). Users are able to disable or customize many more Windows components than was possible in Windows Vista. New additions to this list of components include Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player 1. Windows Media Center, Windows Search, and Windows Gadget Platform. Windows XP Mode runs Windows XP in a virtual machine, and displays applications within separate windows on the Windows 7 desktop.
Optional Bit. Locker Drive Encryption is included with Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise. Windows Defender is included; Microsoft Security Essentialsantivirus software is a free download.
All editions include Shadow Copy, which—every day or so—System Restore uses to take an automatic . By default, libraries for categories such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and Video are created, consisting of the user's personal folder and the Public folder for each. The system is also used as part of a new home networking system known as Home. Group; devices are added to the network with a password, and files and folders can be shared with all other devices in the Home.
Group, or with specific users. The default libraries, along with printers, are shared by default, but the personal folder is set to read- only access by other users, and the Public folder can be accessed by anyone. Microsoft has also implemented better support for solid- state drives. Native support for USB 3. The video modes supported in Windows 7 are 1. RGB, 2. 4- bit s. RGB, 3. 0- bit s.
RGB, 3. 0- bit with extended color gamut s. RGB, and 4. 8- bit sc. RGB. Additionally, users can now adjust the level at which UAC operates using a sliding scale.
Four applications bundled with Windows Vista — Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Calendar and Windows Mail — are not included with Windows 7 and were replaced by Windows Live- branded versions as part of the Windows Live Essentials suite. Home Premium and Professional were aimed at home users and small businesses respectively, while Ultimate was aimed at enthusiasts. Each edition of Windows 7 includes all of the capabilities and features of the edition below it, and adds additional features oriented towards their market segments; for example, Professional adds additional networking and security features such as Encrypting File System and the ability to join a domain. Ultimate contained a superset of the features from Home Premium and Professional, along with other advanced features oriented towards power users, such as Bit. Locker drive encryption; unlike Windows Vista, there were no . The Starter edition is a stripped- down version of Windows 7 meant for low- cost devices such as netbooks. In comparison to Home Premium, Starter has reduced multimedia functionality, does not allow users to change their desktop wallpaper or theme, disables the .
OEM copies include one DVD, depending on the processor architecture licensed. The installation media for consumer versions of Windows 7 are identical; the product key and corresponding license determines the edition that is installed. The Windows Anytime Upgrade service can be used to purchase an upgrade that unlocks the functionality of a higher edition, such as going from Starter to Home Premium, and Home Premium to Ultimate. Professional currently remains available to OEMs, primarily as part of downgrade rights for Windows 8 licenses. OEM sales of PCs with Windows 7 Professional preinstalled ended on October 3.
Extended support will end on January 1. The requirement for a processor capable of hardware virtualization has been lifted.
The x. 86 editions of Windows 7 support up to 3. Microsoft stated that effective July 1. Intel Skylake CPUs were only to receive the . Microsoft and their hardware partners provide special testing and support for these devices on 7 and 8.
July 2. 01. 7 date.