Windows 7 is just around the corner, and the OS comes packed with new features and promises to be more streamlined and functional than Vista. As a huge fan of XP and quiet skeptic of Vista, I loaded up the 7 RC on my laptop months ago. To my surprise, Windows 7, even in release candidate status is clearly the real deal!

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As it currently stands, release day for Windows 7 is October 22nd and the new feature set is a pretty long list. I really like the focus Microsoft has put into streamlining the current list of apps. Clearly fine tuning the OS solidified itself as THE top priority. In addition, you can reportedly turn it up to 11. That’s right, the Windows Experience Index is back under the hood, and now it goes to 11 (up from 7.9 in Vista).

Windows 7 comes in 6 Flavors:
•	Home Basic
•	Starter
•	Home Premium
•	Professional 
•	Enterprise 
•	Ultimate

Note: 64-Bit capability starts at Home Professional, and I would encourage users to shuffle towards the top end editions, as I have seen too many people frustrated with the laptop performance and fail to note that they only have 256 MB under the hood. For instance, in Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate you can install 192 GB of RAM! Windows 7 will open the door completely for 64 Bit apps and in 5 years time, I foresee the application landscape completely changing as 64 Bit apps really hit the mainstream.


As noted earlier the list of additions and enhancements is a large one. The new features and enhanced programs include:
Accessibility Improvements, Action Center, Aero Peek, Aero Shake, Aero Snaps, Aero Themes, Backup &amp; Restore, Bitlocker-To-Go, Blu-Ray Support, Calculator, Credential Manager, Device Stage, Devices &amp; Printers, DirectAccess, DirectX11, Getting Started, HomeGroup, IE8, Libraries, Location-Aware Printing, MinWin, Paint, Parental Controls, Power Config, Problem Steps Recorder, Ready Boost, Sensor Support, Scenic Ribbon, Start Menu, Startup Repair, Sticky Notes, System Restore, Tablet PC, User Account Control, View Available Networks, Virtual Hard Disk Support, VPN Reconnect, Windows Anytime Upgrade, Windows Defender, Windows Easy Transfer, Windows Explorer, Windows Experience Index, Windows Media Center, Windows Media Player, Windows Gadgets, Windows Live Essentials, Windows Search, Windows Taskbar, Windows Touch, Windows Update, Windows XP Mode, WordPad, and XPS Viewer.

Indulge yourself, go heavy with the RAM, and enjoy!
