Windows 7

Windows 7 is the successor to Windows Vista, and its version name is Windows NT 6.1, compared to Vista's NT 6.0; its naming caused some confusion when it was announced in 2008. Windows president Steven Sinofsky commented that Windows 95 was the fourth version of Windows, but Windows 7 counts up from Windows NT 4.0 as it is a descendant of NT.{{Cite web |date=2009-10-22 |title=Wait, what happened to Windows 5 and 6? |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2009/10/22/wait-what-happened-to-windows-5-and-6/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006092644/https://www.mercurynews.com/2009/10/22/wait-what-happened-to-windows-5-and-6/ |url-status=live }}

Originally, a version of Windows codenamed "Blackcomb" was planned as the successor to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 in 2000. Major features were planned for Blackcomb, including an emphasis on searching and querying data and an advanced storage system named WinFS to enable such scenarios. However, an interim, minor release, codenamed "Longhorn," was announced for 2003, delaying the development of Blackcomb.{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/10/24/gates_confirms_windows_longhorn|title=Gates confirms Windows Longhorn for 2003|last=Lettice|first=John|date=October 24, 2001|website=The Register|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225005516/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/10/24/gates_confirms_windows_longhorn/|url-status=live}} By the middle of 2003, however, Longhorn had acquired some of the features originally intended for Blackcomb. After three major malware outbreaks—the Blaster, Nachi, and Sobig worms—exploited flaws in Windows operating systems within a short time period in August 2003,{{cite news|url=http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Businesses-are-left-reeling-after-a-triple-strike-by-Blaster-Nachi-and-the-Sobig-virus|title=Businesses are left reeling after a triple strike by Blaster, Nachi and the Sobig virus|last=Goodwin|first=Bill|work=Computer Weekly|publisher=TechTarget|date=August 15, 2003|access-date=March 20, 2016|archive-date=April 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401095544/http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Businesses-are-left-reeling-after-a-triple-strike-by-Blaster-Nachi-and-the-Sobig-virus|url-status=live}} Microsoft changed its development priorities, putting some of Longhorn's major development work on hold while developing new service packs for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Development of Longhorn (Windows Vista) was also restarted, and thus delayed, in August 2004. A number of features were cut from Longhorn.{{cite news|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Microsoft-cuts-key-Longhorn-feature-1152747.php|title=Microsoft cuts key Longhorn feature|last=Bishop|first=Todd|date=August 28, 2004|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=April 29, 2019|publisher=Hearst Corporation|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225042831/https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Microsoft-cuts-key-Longhorn-feature-1152747.php|url-status=live}} Blackcomb was renamed Vienna in early 2006,{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/article/faqtip/windows-7-faq |title=Windows "7" FAQ |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |work=SuperSite for Windows |publisher=Penton Media |date=February 14, 2007 |access-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430132301/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/faqtip/windows-7-faq |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |url-status=dead }} and was later canceled in 2007 due to the scope of the project.{{cite web |url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20190722-00/?p=102724 |title=What was the code name for Windows 7? |last=Chen |first=Raymond |work=The Old New Thing |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926093909/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20190722-00/?p=102724 |url-status=live }}

When released, Windows Vista was criticized for its long development time, performance issues, spotty compatibility with existing hardware and software at launch, changes affecting the compatibility of certain PC games, and unclear assurances by Microsoft that certain computers shipping with XP before launch would be "Vista Capable" (which led to a class-action lawsuit), among other critiques. As such, the adoption of Vista in comparison to XP remained somewhat low.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/business/09digi.html|title=They Criticized Vista. And They Should Know|last=Stross|first=Randall|date=March 29, 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413044259/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/business/09digi.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/140583/article.html?page=5|title=The 15 Biggest Tech Disappointments of 2007|last=Tynan|first=Dan|date=December 16, 2007|work=PC World|access-date=April 29, 2019|publisher=IDG|archive-date=June 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609184006/https://www.pcworld.com/article/140583/article.html?page=5|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/137635/article.html|title=Vista Resistance: Why XP Is Still So Strong|last=Larkin|first=Erik|date=September 25, 2007|work=PC World|publisher=IDG|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310091712/https://www.pcworld.com/article/137635/article.html|url-status=dead}} In July 2007, following the shelving of the Vienna project and six months following the public release of Vista, it was reported that the next version of Windows would then be codenamed Windows 7, with plans for a final release within three years.{{cite news|first = Mary J|last = Foley|title = Windows Seven: Think 2010|date = July 20, 2007|work = ZDNet|url = https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-seven-think-2010/|access-date = September 19, 2007|archive-date = October 18, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151018075835/http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-seven-think-2010/|url-status = live}}{{cite news|title=Next version of Windows: Call it 7|url=http://news.cnet.com/Next-version-of-Windows-Call-it-7/2100-1016_3-6197943.html|work=CNET|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-date=March 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308212632/http://news.cnet.com/Next-version-of-Windows-Call-it-7/2100-1016_3-6197943.html|url-status=live}} Bill Gates, in an interview with Newsweek, suggested that Windows 7 would be more "user-centric".{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16934083/site/newsweek/page/4/print/1/displaymode/1098/ |title=Bill Gates on Vista and Apple's 'Lying' Ads |last=Levy |first=Steven |work=Newsweek|date=February 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070331223518/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16934083/site/newsweek/page/4/print/1/displaymode/1098/ |archive-date=March 31, 2007 }} Gates later said that Windows 7 would also focus on performance improvements.{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2008/05/08/bill-gates-japan-windows-digital-lifestyle-consortium/ |title=Bill Gates: Japan—Windows Digital Lifestyle Consortium |website=News Center |publisher=Microsoft |first=Bill |last=Gates |date=May 7, 2007 |location=Tokyo, Japan |access-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704045545/https://news.microsoft.com/2008/05/08/bill-gates-japan-windows-digital-lifestyle-consortium/ |url-status=live }} Steven Sinofsky later expanded on this point, explaining in the Engineering Windows 7 blog that the company was using a variety of new tracing tools to measure the performance of many areas of the operating system on an ongoing basis, to help locate inefficient code paths and to help prevent performance regressions.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/12/15/continuing-our-discussion-on-performance.aspx |title=Continuing our discussion on performance |last=Sinofsky |first=Steven |author-link=Steven Sinofsky |date=December 15, 2008 |access-date=December 18, 2008 |work=Engineering Windows 7 |publisher=Microsoft |archive-date=December 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219114115/http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/12/15/continuing-our-discussion-on-performance.aspx |url-status=live }} Senior Vice President Bill Veghte stated that Windows Vista users migrating to Windows 7 would not find the kind of device compatibility issues they encountered migrating from Windows XP.{{cite news|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Will-Not-Inherent-the-Incompatibility-Issues-of-Vista-88625.shtml|title=Windows 7 Will Not Inherit the Incompatibility Issues of Vista|first=Marius|last=Oiaga|newspaper=Softpedia |date=June 24, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2008|archive-date=June 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626083337/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Will-Not-Inherent-the-Incompatibility-Issues-of-Vista-88625.shtml|url-status=live}} An estimated 1,000 developers worked on Windows 7. These were broadly divided into "core operating system" and "Windows client experience", in turn organized into 25 teams of around 40 developers on average.{{cite web |url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2008/08/17/the-windows-7-team/ |first=Steven |last=Sinovsky |title=The Windows 7 Team |work=Engineering Windows 7 |publisher=Microsoft |date=August 18, 2008 |access-date=December 9, 2009 |archive-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527002259/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2008/08/17/the-windows-7-team/ |url-status=live }}

In October 2008, it was announced that Windows 7 would also be the official name of the operating system.{{cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10064971-56.html|title=Microsoft makes Windows 7 name final|last=Fried|first=Ina|date=October 13, 2008|work=CNET|access-date=October 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426041502/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10064971-56.html|archive-date=April 26, 2011|publisher=CBS Interactive}}{{cite news|url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/for-microsoft-s-windows-7th-time-s-a-charm-1.704900|title = For Microsoft's Windows, 7th time's a charm|access-date = October 27, 2008|date = October 2008|work = CBC News|archive-date = October 17, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081017173614/http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/10/14/tech-windows.html|url-status = live}} There had been some confusion over naming the product Windows 7,{{cite news | url = http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_justifies_its_windows_7_naming_decision | title = Microsoft Justifies Its Windows 7 Naming Decision | first = Alex | last = Castle | date = October 15, 2008 | work = Maximum PC | publisher = Future US | access-date = November 18, 2009 | archive-date = November 24, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091124163346/http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_justifies_its_windows_7_naming_decision | url-status = live }} while versioning it as 6.1 to indicate its similar build to Windows Vista and increase compatibility with applications that only check major version numbers, similar to Windows 2000 and Windows XP both having 5.x version numbers.{{cite web |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/Windowsvista/archive/2008/10/14/why-7.aspx |title=Why 7?|last=Nash |first=Mike |date=October 14, 2008 |access-date=August 12, 2023 |work=Windows Experience Blog |publisher=Microsoft |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027022936/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/Windowsvista/archive/2008/10/14/why-7.aspx|archive-date=October 27, 2009}} The first external release to select Microsoft partners came in January 2008 with Milestone 1, build 6519.{{cite web|url=http://www.w7forums.com/windows-7-build-numbers-t58.html|title=Windows 7 Build Numbers|first=Ian|last=Cunningham|date=December 3, 2008|access-date=January 29, 2009|archive-date=March 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308015323/http://www.w7forums.com/windows-7-build-numbers-t58.html|url-status=live}} Speaking about Windows 7 on October 16, 2008, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed compatibility between Windows Vista and Windows 7, indicating that Windows 7 would be a refined version of Windows Vista.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=10464 |title=Ballmer: It's ok to wait until Windows 7; Yahoo still 'makes sense'; Google Apps 'primitive' |access-date=October 17, 2008 |last=Dignan |first=Larry |date=October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017231501/http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=10464 |archive-date=October 17, 2008 }}

At PDC 2008, Microsoft demonstrated Windows 7 with its reworked taskbar.{{cite web |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2008/10/28/windows-7-unveiled-today-at-pdc-2008/ |title=Windows 7 Unveiled Today at PDC 2008 |last=Nash |first=Mike |date=October 28, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2008 |work=Windows Experience Blog |publisher=Microsoft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101011844/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2008/10/28/windows-7-unveiled-today-at-pdc-2008.aspx |archive-date=November 1, 2008}} On December 27, 2008, the Windows 7 Beta was leaked onto the Internet via BitTorrent.{{cite web |url=http://www.osnews.com/story/20703/Windows_7_Beta_1_Leaked |title=Windows 7 Beta 1 Leaked |website=OSNews.com |access-date=May 25, 2009 |archive-date=February 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202112431/http://osnews.com/story/20703/Windows_7_Beta_1_Leaked |url-status=live }} According to a performance test by ZDNet,{{cite web |first=Adrian |last=Kingsley-Hughes |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-beta-1-performance-how-does-the-os-compare-to-vista-and-xp/ |title=Windows 7 beta 1 performance - How does the OS compare to Vista and XP? |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=January 1, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105145717/http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=3236&page=2 |archive-date=January 5, 2009}} Windows 7 Beta beat both Windows XP and Windows Vista in several key areas, including boot and shutdown time and working with files, such as loading documents. Other areas did not beat XP, including PC Pro benchmarks for typical office activities and video editing, which remain identical to Vista and slower than XP.{{cite web|url = http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/11/12/follow-up-benchmarking-windows-7/|title = Follow-up: Benchmarking Windows 7|access-date = January 29, 2009|last = Graham-Smith|first = Darien|author-link = Darien Graham-Smith|date = January 2009|archive-date = January 23, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090123024219/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/11/12/follow-up-benchmarking-windows-7/|url-status = live}} On January 7, 2009, the x64 version of the Windows 7 Beta (build 7000) was leaked onto the web, with some torrents being infected with a trojan.{{cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/leaked-windows-7-rc-torrents-infected-with-trojan-2842048/|title=Leaked Windows 7 RC torrents infected with trojan|website=SlashGear|date=April 28, 2009|access-date=May 6, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629171008/http://www.slashgear.com/leaked-windows-7-rc-torrents-infected-with-trojan-2842048/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://w7info.com/articles/2009/01/windows-7-64-bit-beta-hits-the-web/ |title=Windows 7 64-Bit Beta Hits the Web |access-date=January 7, 2009 |last=Pennington |first=Kenneth |date=January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121125718/http://w7info.com/articles/2009/01/windows-7-64-bit-beta-hits-the-web/ |archive-date=January 21, 2009 }} At CES 2009, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the Windows 7 Beta, build 7000, had been made available for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers in the format of an ISO image.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jan/08/steve-ballmer-ces-keynote |title=CES: Steve Ballmer unveils Microsoft's Windows 7 | Technology | guardian.co.uk |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=May 25, 2009 |first=Bobbie |last=Johnson |date=January 8, 2009 |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204035755/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jan/08/steve-ballmer-ces-keynote |url-status=live }} The stock wallpaper of the beta version contained a digital image of the Betta fish.{{Cite web|title=Yes, the Windows 7 beta wallpaper was a picture of a betta fish – The Old New Thing|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20100901-00/?p=12973|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218082719/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20100901-00/?p=12973|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-02-18|date=2019-02-18|access-date=2020-05-05}}

The release candidate, build 7100, became available for MSDN and TechNet subscribers, and Connect Program participants on April 30, 2009. On May 5, 2009, it became available to the general public, although it had also been leaked onto the Internet via BitTorrent.{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Paul |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/windows-7-rc-7100-making-its-way-to-oems-a-torrent-tracker-near/ |title=Windows 7 RC 7100 making its way to OEMs, a torrent tracker near you |website=Engadget |publisher=Aol |date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2009 |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427124314/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/24/windows-7-rc-7100-making-its-way-to-oems-a-torrent-tracker-near |url-status=live }} The release candidate was available in five languages and expired on June 1, 2010, with shutdowns every two hours starting March 1, 2010.{{cite web | url = http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx | title = Windows 7 Release Candidate Customer Preview Program | access-date = May 5, 2009 | publisher = Microsoft | archive-date = May 6, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090506160717/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx | url-status = live }} Microsoft stated that Windows 7 would be released to the general public on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the launch of its predecessor. Microsoft released Windows 7 to MSDN and Technet subscribers on August 6, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/21/when-will-you-get-windows-7-rtm.aspx|title=When Will You Get Windows 7 RTM?|website=The Windows Blog|access-date=July 22, 2009|archive-date=July 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723040930/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/21/when-will-you-get-windows-7-rtm.aspx|url-status=dead |date=Jul 21, 2009 |last=LeBlanc |first=Brandon }} Microsoft announced that Windows 7, along with Windows Server 2008 R2, was released to manufacturing in the United States and Canada on July 22, 2009. Windows 7 build 7600.16385.090713-1255, which was compiled on July 13, 2009, was declared the final RTM build after passing all Microsoft's tests internally.{{cite web|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/22/windows-7-has-been-released-to-manufacturing.aspx|title=Windows 7 Has Been Released to Manufacturing|last=LeBlanc|first=Brandon|website=Windows Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227022915/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/archive/b/windows7/archive/2009/07/22/windows-7-has-been-released-to-manufacturing.aspx|archive-date=February 27, 2014 |date=Jul 22, 2009}}

{{Main|Features new to Windows 7}}

File:ThumbnailWin7.png tabs|alt=]]

Among Windows 7's new features are advances in touch and handwriting recognition,{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-7/dd367848(v=ws.10)|title=What's New in Handwriting Recognition|date=September 12, 2012|work=Microsoft TechNet|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430070031/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-7/dd367848(v=ws.10)|url-status=live}} support for virtual hard disks,{{cite web|url=http://winsupersite.com/news/windows-7s-support-vhd-all-about-backwards-compatibility|title=Windows 7's support of VHD is all about backwards compatibility|work=winsupersite.com|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129100208/http://winsupersite.com/news/windows-7s-support-vhd-all-about-backwards-compatibility|archive-date=January 29, 2013|url-status=dead}} improved performance on multi-core processors,{{cite web|url=http://www.windowsvienna.com/windows-7-takes-more-advantage-of-multi-core-cpus-a24.html|title=Windows 7 Takes More Advantage of Multi-Core CPUs – Windows 7|last=Pociu|first=Andrew|website=Windowsvienna.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103220118/http://www.windowsvienna.com/windows-7-takes-more-advantage-of-multi-core-cpus-a24.html|archive-date=January 3, 2010|access-date=May 25, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1612|title=Windows 7 to get parallel-processing tweaks|last=Foley|first=Mary Jo|author-link=Mary Jo Foley|date=September 30, 2008|work=ZDNet|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201073548/http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1612|archive-date=February 1, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=May 25, 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.pctipsbox.com/windows-7-to-get-parallel-processing-tweaks/ |title=Windows 7 to get parallel-processing tweaks |publisher=PC Tips/pctipsbox.com |date=October 5, 2008 |access-date=May 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415111309/http://www.pctipsbox.com/windows-7-to-get-parallel-processing-tweaks/ |archive-date=April 15, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.stunningmesh.com/2017/02/window-7-enters-parallel-universe/|title=Window 7 Enters Parallel Universe|date=February 13, 2017|work=Stunning Mesh|publisher=Meks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213162104/http://www.stunningmesh.com/2017/02/window-7-enters-parallel-universe/|archive-date=February 13, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2019}} improved boot performance, DirectAccess, and kernel improvements. Windows 7 adds support for systems using multiple heterogeneous graphics cards from different vendors (Heterogeneous Multi-adapter),{{cite web|url=http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=637&pgno=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926142419/http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=637&pgno=8|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2009|title=Tech ARP -3D Gaming Advances In Microsoft Windows 7 Rev. 2.0}} a new version of Windows Media Center,{{cite web |first=Wolfgang |last=Gruener |url=http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35641/118/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118032600/http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35641/118/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 18, 2008 |title=Windows Vista successor scheduled for a H2 2009 release? |publisher=TG Daily |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2008}} a Gadget for Windows Media Center, improved media features, XPS Essentials Pack,{{cite web|url=http://www.prepressure.com/library/technology/xps|title=Microsoft XPS|work=prepressure.com|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102211428/http://www.prepressure.com/library/technology/xps|url-status=live}} and Windows PowerShell{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd367858(v=ws.10).aspx|title=What's New in Windows PowerShell|publisher=Microsoft|work=microsoft.com|date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826144202/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd367858(v=ws.10).aspx|url-status=live}} being included, and a redesigned Calculator with multiline capabilities including Programmer and Statistics modes along with unit conversion for length, weight, temperature, and several others.{{cite web|url=http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57397768-285/seven-windows-7-calculator-features-you-may-not-know-about/|title=Seven Windows 7 Calculator features you may not know about|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=CNET|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107050017/http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57397768-285/seven-windows-7-calculator-features-you-may-not-know-about/|url-status=live}} Many new items have been added to the Control Panel, including ClearType Text Tuner,{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/06/23/engineering-changes-to-cleartype-in-windows-7.aspx|title=MSDN Blogs|publisher=Microsoft|work=msdn.com|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=December 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218085312/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/06/23/engineering-changes-to-cleartype-in-windows-7.aspx|url-status=live}} Display Color Calibration Wizard,{{cite web|url=http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/wizard-adjust-display-colors-windows-7.htm|title=Wizard to Adjust the Display Colors in Windows 7|first=Vic|last=Laurie|work=techsupportalert.com|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-date=July 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705042912/http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/wizard-adjust-display-colors-windows-7.htm|url-status=dead}} Gadgets, Recovery, Troubleshooting, Workspaces Center, Location and Other Sensors, Credential Manager, Biometric Devices, System Icons, and Display.{{cite web|url=http://www.thinknext.net/archives/2150 |title=Screenshots from a blogger with Windows 7 M1 |publisher=ThinkNext.net |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130010415/http://www.thinknext.net/archives/2150 |archive-date=January 30, 2008 }} Windows Security Center has been renamed to Action Center (Windows Health Center and Windows Solution Center in earlier builds), which encompasses both security and maintenance of the computer. ReadyBoost on 32-bit editions now supports up to 256 gigabytes of extra allocation. 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.{{cite web|title=How to add Mac-like RAW image support to Windows 7, Vista, XP |publisher=downloadsquad.com |date=October 21, 2009 |url=http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/21/raw-image-support-windows/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024101005/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/21/raw-image-support-windows |archive-date=October 24, 2009 }} Windows 7 also has a native TFTP client with the ability to transfer files to or from a TFTP server.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcwdld.com/tftp-client-for-windows-7|title=TFTP Client for Windows 7|last1=Jeff|first1=Parker|date=February 29, 2016|website=PCWDLD.com|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928121358/https://www.pcwdld.com/tftp-client-for-windows-7|url-status=live}}

{{wide image|Windows 7 Taskbar.png|800px|The default taskbar of Windows 7|100%|none}}

The taskbar has seen the biggest visual changes, where the old Quick Launch toolbar has been replaced with the ability to pin applications to the taskbar. Buttons for pinned applications are integrated with the task buttons. These buttons also enable Jump Lists to allow easy access to common tasks, and files frequently used with specific applications.{{cite web |title=Windows 7 User Interface – The Superbar (Enhanced Taskbar) |publisher=Softpedia |date=November 2008 |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-User-Interface-The-Superbar-Enhanced-Taskbar-97143.shtml |access-date=November 12, 2008 |archive-date=November 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110050536/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-User-Interface-The-Superbar-Enhanced-Taskbar-97143.shtml |url-status=live }} The revamped taskbar also allows the reordering of taskbar buttons. 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354844,00.asp|title=7 Things I'll Miss about Vista—And 7 I Definitely Won't|first=Michael|last=Muchmore|website=PC Magazine|date=October 28, 2009|access-date=March 6, 2016|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321225120/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354844,00.asp|url-status=live}} In touch-enabled displays such as touch screens, tablet PCs, etc., this button is slightly (8 pixels) wider in order to accommodate being pressed by a finger.{{cite web |title=Touching Windows 7 |work=Engineering Windows 7 Blog |publisher=Microsoft |date=March 25, 2009 |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/25/touching-windows-7.aspx |access-date=April 14, 2009 |archive-date=April 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421105142/http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/25/touching-windows-7.aspx |url-status=live }} Clicking this button minimizes all windows, and clicking it a second time restores them.

Window management in Windows 7 has several new features: Aero Snap maximizes a window when it is dragged to the top, left, or right of the screen.{{cite web |last=Sinofsky |first=Steven |author-link=Steven Sinofsky |title=Engineering Windows 7: Designing Aero Snap |work=Microsoft Development Network |publisher=Microsoft |date=March 17, 2009 |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/17/designing-aero-snap.aspx |access-date=June 8, 2009 |archive-date=May 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501144340/http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/17/designing-aero-snap.aspx |url-status=live }} Dragging windows to the left or right edges of the screen allows users to snap software windows to either side of the screen, such that the windows take up half the screen. 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. Aero Shake hides all inactive windows when the active window's title bar is dragged back and forth rapidly.

File:Action Center on Windows 7.png window, showing no problems detected|alt=]]

File:Action-centre-warning.PNG

Windows 7 includes 13 additional sound schemes, titled Afternoon, Calligraphy, Characters, Cityscape, Delta, Festival, Garden, Heritage, Landscape, Quirky, Raga, Savanna, and Sonata.{{cite web|last=Thurrott |first=Paul |title=Windows 7 Build 7048 Notes |publisher=Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows |date=March 8, 2009 |url=http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_7048_02.asp |access-date=April 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413134828/http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_7048_02.asp |archive-date=April 13, 2009 }} Internet Spades, Internet Backgammon and Internet Checkers, which were removed in Windows Vista, were restored in Windows 7. 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 12, Windows Media Center, Windows Search, and Windows Gadget Platform.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2009/03/06/beta-to-rc-changes-turning-windows-features-on-or-off/|title=Beta to RC Changes – Turning Windows Features On or Off|last=Sinofsky|first=Steven|date=March 6, 2009|website=Microsoft Developer Network|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426120526/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/e7/2009/03/06/beta-to-rc-changes-turning-windows-features-on-or-off/|url-status=live}} A new version of Microsoft Virtual PC, newly renamed as Windows Virtual PC was made available for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.{{cite web |title=Windows Virtual PC | publisher=Microsoft |url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/ |access-date=May 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503012345/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/ |archive-date=May 3, 2009}} It allows multiple Windows environments, including Windows XP Mode, to run on the same machine. Windows XP Mode runs Windows XP in a virtual machine, and displays applications within separate windows on the Windows 7 desktop.{{cite web|title=Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 brochure | publisher=Microsoft |url= http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/5/A/75A2C993-BFCC-47D0-8B6C-7C8CE2BA9833/Windows%20XP%20Mode%20for%20Windows%207_brochure.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160825230747/http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/5/A/75A2C993-BFCC-47D0-8B6C-7C8CE2BA9833/Windows%20XP%20Mode%20for%20Windows%207_brochure.pdf |archive-date= August 25, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2009}} Furthermore, Windows 7 supports the mounting of a virtual hard disk (VHD) as a normal data storage, and the bootloader delivered with Windows 7 can boot the Windows system from a VHD; however, this ability is only available in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions.{{cite video|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/0/F/70FE9C38-08D1-4FCC-BEF8-42B47DD968FE/Windows7VHDBoot.wmv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225194927/http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/0/F/70FE9C38-08D1-4FCC-BEF8-42B47DD968FE/Windows7VHDBoot.wmv|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 25, 2010|title=Demonstration: Windows 7 VHD Boot|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2009}} The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) of Windows 7 is also enhanced to support real-time multimedia application including video playback and 3D games, thus allowing use of DirectX 10 in remote desktop environments.{{cite web |url=http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/ES21/ |title=Windows 7 Presentation Virtualization: Graphics Remoting (RDP) Today and Tomorrow |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=September 16, 2016 |archive-date=November 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102130459/http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/ES21/ |url-status=live }} The three application limit, previously present in the Windows Vista and Windows XP Starter Editions, has been removed from Windows 7.{{cite web|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/05/29/let-s-talk-about-windows-7-starter.aspx|title=Let's talk about Windows 7 Starter|last=LeBlanc|first=Brandon|date=May 29, 2009|work=Windows Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601065613/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/05/29/let-s-talk-about-windows-7-starter.aspx|archive-date=June 1, 2009|access-date=May 29, 2009}} All editions include some new and improved features, such as Windows Search, Security features, and some features new to Windows 7, that originated within Vista. Optional BitLocker Drive Encryption is included with Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise. Windows Defender is included; Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus software is a free download. All editions include Shadow Copy, which—every day or so—System Restore uses to take an automatic "previous version" snapshot of user files that have changed.{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2007.09.backup.aspx|title=A Guide to Windows Vista Backup Technologies|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-date=February 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209110721/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2007.09.backup.aspx|url-status=live}} Backup and restore have also been improved,{{cite web|url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/backup-and-restore|title=Backup and Restore (Windows 7)|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123160930/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/backup-and-restore|archive-date=January 23, 2010|access-date=April 29, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/technet-magazine/ee872416(v=msdn.10)|title=Create and Use a Virtual Hard Disk on Windows 7|date=August 1, 2016|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503041943/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/technet-magazine/ee872416(v=msdn.10)|url-status=live}} and the Windows Recovery Environment—installed by default—replaces the optional Recovery Console of Windows XP.{{cite news|url=http://www.maximumpc.com/windows-7-feature-focus-recovery-environment/|title=Windows 7 Feature Focus: Recovery Environment|last=Soperus|first=Marcus|date=August 9, 2009|work=Maximum PC|publisher=Future US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403022557/http://www.maximumpc.com/windows-7-feature-focus-recovery-environment/|archive-date=April 3, 2016|access-date=March 20, 2016}}

A new system known as "Libraries" was added for file management; users can aggregate files from multiple folders into a "Library." 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 HomeGroup; devices are added to the network with a password, and files and folders can be shared with all other devices in the HomeGroup, 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.{{cite web|title=Windows 7 HomeGroup: Networking Made Easy|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344523,00.asp|publisher=PC Magazine|access-date=January 2, 2013|archive-date=January 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123142132/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344523,00.asp|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2008/10/28/how-libraries-homegroup-work-together-in-windows-7/ |title=How Libraries & HomeGroup Work Together in Windows 7 |last=LeBlanc |first=Brandon |date=October 28, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2008 |work=Windows Team Blog | publisher=Microsoft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102042853/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2008/10/28/how-libraries-amp-homegroup-work-together-in-windows-7.aspx |archive-date=November 2, 2008}}

Windows 7 includes improved globalization support through a new Extended Linguistic Services API{{cite web |title=Windows 7: Writing World-Ready Applications |publisher=PDC 2008 |year=2008 |url=http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC52/ |access-date=September 26, 2008 |archive-date=October 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009030340/http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC52/ |url-status=live }} to provide multilingual support (particularly in Ultimate and Enterprise editions). Microsoft also implemented better support for solid-state drives,{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/05/05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drives-and.aspx |title=Support and Q&A for Solid-State Drives |work=Engineering Windows 7 |publisher=Microsoft |date=May 5, 2009 |access-date=May 9, 2009 |archive-date=May 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520091756/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/05/05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drives-and.aspx |url-status=live }} including the new TRIM command, and Windows 7 is able to identify a solid-state drive uniquely. Native support for USB 3.0 is not included because of delays in the finalization of the standard.{{cite web |last=Crothers |first=Brooke |title=Microsoft describes USB 3.0 delays |date=November 6, 2008 |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10083822-64.html |work=CNET |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=November 13, 2008 |archive-date=April 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426041443/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10083822-64.html |url-status=live }} At WinHEC 2008 Microsoft announced that color depths of 30-bit and 48-bit would be supported in Windows 7 along with the wide color gamut scRGB (which for HDMI 1.3 can be converted and output as xvYCC). The video modes supported in Windows 7 are 16-bit sRGB, 24-bit sRGB, 30-bit sRGB, 30-bit with extended color gamut sRGB, and 48-bit scRGB.{{cite web|title=WinHEC 2008 GRA-583: Display Technologies |format=Office Open XML Presentation | publisher=Microsoft |date=November 6, 2008 |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3A-C2FF1E62180F/GRA-T583_WH08.pptx |access-date=December 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227074524/http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3A-C2FF1E62180F/GRA-T583_WH08.pptx |archive-date=December 27, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-High-Color-Support-98741.shtml|title=Windows 7 High Color Support|last=Oiaga|first=Marius|date=November 26, 2008|website=Softpedia|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=November 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126202736/https://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-High-Color-Support-98741.shtml|url-status=live}}

For developers, Windows 7 includes a new networking API with support for building SOAP-based web services in native code (as opposed to .NET-based WCF web services),{{cite web |title=Windows 7: Web Services in Native Code |publisher=PDC 2008 |year=2008 |url=http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC01/ |access-date=September 26, 2008 |archive-date=November 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102130520/http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC01/ |url-status=live }} new features to simplify development of installation packages and shorten application install times.{{cite web|url=https://channel9.msdn.com/blogs/pdc2008/pc42|title=Windows 7: Deploying Your Application with Windows Installer (MSI) and ClickOnce|year=2008|publisher=PDC 2008|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=January 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117083909/https://channel9.msdn.com/blogs/pdc2008/pc42|url-status=live}} Windows 7, by default, generates fewer User Account Control (UAC) prompts because it allows digitally signed Windows components to gain elevated privileges without a prompt. Additionally, users can now adjust the level at which UAC operates using a sliding scale.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2009/03/opinion-ms-should-kill-win7-uac/|title=Opinion: Windows 7′s UAC is a broken mess; mend it or end it|last=Bright|first=Peter|date=March 5, 2009|work=Ars Technica|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926061258/http://arstechnica.com/business/2009/03/opinion-ms-should-kill-win7-uac/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|List of features removed in Windows 7}}

Certain capabilities and programs that were a part of Windows Vista are no longer present or have been changed, resulting in the removal of certain functionalities; these include the classic Start Menu user interface, some taskbar features, Windows Explorer features, Windows Media Player features, Windows Ultimate Extras, Search button, and InkBall. 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.{{cite web|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2008/10/28/the-complete-windows-experience-windows-7-windows-live.aspx|title=The Complete Windows Experience – Windows 7 + Windows Live|last=LeBlance|first=Brandon|date=October 28, 2008|work=Windows Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122064154/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2008/10/28/the-complete-windows-experience-windows-7-windows-live.aspx|archive-date=January 22, 2009|access-date=November 11, 2008}}{{cite web| last=Bort| first=Julie| url=http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/33084| title=E-mail, photos, movie making will not be included in Windows 7| date=September 23, 2008| work=Networkworld| publisher=IDG| series=The Microsoft Update| access-date=July 24, 2013| archive-date=September 26, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926214109/http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/33084| url-status=live}}

{{Main|Windows 7 editions}}

Windows 7 is available in six different editions, of which the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate were available at retail in most countries, and as pre-loaded software on most new computers. 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 BitLocker drive encryption; unlike Windows Vista, there were no "Ultimate Extras" add-ons created for Windows 7 Ultimate.{{cite news|url=https://www.extremetech.com/computing/82542-all-windows-7-versionswhat-you-need-to-know|title=All Windows 7 Versions—What You Need to Know|last=Hachman|first=Mark|date=February 5, 2009|website=ExtremeTech|publisher=Ziff Davis Media|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402154811/http://www.extremetech.com/computing/82542-all-windows-7-versionswhat-you-need-to-know|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Windows 7: Which Edition is Right For You? |work=PCWorld |date=February 3, 2009 |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/158870/microsoft_announces_six_windows_7_editions.html |access-date=February 5, 2009 |archive-date=December 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228173247/http://www.pcworld.com/article/158870/windows_7_which_edition_is_right_for_you.html |url-status=dead }} Retail copies were available in "upgrade" and higher-cost "full" version licenses; "upgrade" licenses require an existing version of Windows to install, while "full" licenses can be installed on computers with no existing operating system.{{cite web|last=Moses|first=Asher|title=Windows 8 upgrade boxes 'mislead' customers|url=http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/windows-8-upgrade-boxes-mislead-customers-20121128-2acwx.html|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=November 28, 2012|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=November 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130010516/http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/windows-8-upgrade-boxes-mislead-customers-20121128-2acwx.html|url-status=live}}

The remaining three editions were not available at retail, of which two were available exclusively through OEM channels as pre-loaded software. 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 "Aero Glass" theme, does not have support for multiple monitors, and can only address 2GB of RAM.{{cite web|title=Microsoft kills Windows 7 Starter's 3-app limit|url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/2524598/microsoft-windows/microsoft-kills-windows-7-starter-s-3-app-limit.html|website=Computerworld|date=May 29, 2009|publisher=IDG|access-date=November 4, 2014|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104045221/http://www.computerworld.com/article/2524598/microsoft-windows/microsoft-kills-windows-7-starter-s-3-app-limit.html|url-status=live}} Home Basic was sold only in emerging markets, and was positioned in between Home Premium and Starter. The highest edition, Enterprise, is functionally similar to Ultimate, but is only sold through volume licensing via Microsoft's Software Assurance program.{{cite web|url=https://www.itprotoday.com/nipping-silliness-bud-windows-7-skus-and-pricing|title=Nipping silliness in the bud: Windows 7 SKUs and pricing|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|date=February 3, 2009|work=ITPro Today|publisher=Penton Media|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327063932/https://www.itprotoday.com/nipping-silliness-bud-windows-7-skus-and-pricing|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Windows 7 will come in many flavors |work=CNET News |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=February 3, 2009 |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10155193-56.html |access-date=February 3, 2009 |archive-date=July 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729165934/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10155193-56.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Editions-Features-on-Parade-103766.shtml|title=Windows 7 Editions - Features on Parade|last=Oiaga|first=Marius|date=February 5, 2009|website=Softpedia|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=July 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704045512/https://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Editions-Features-on-Parade-103766.shtml|url-status=live}}

All editions aside from Starter support both IA-32 and x86-64 architectures, Starter only supports 32-bit systems.{{cite web|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/02/04/a-closer-look-at-the-windows-7-skus.aspx|title=A closer look at the Windows 7 SKUs|last=LeBlanc|first=Brandon|date=February 9, 2009|work=Windows Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208104612/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/02/04/a-closer-look-at-the-windows-7-skus.aspx|archive-date=February 8, 2009|access-date=February 9, 2009}} Retail copies of Windows 7 are distributed on two DVDs: one for the IA-32 version and the other for x86-64. 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. Most copies of Windows 7 only contained one license; in certain markets, a "Family Pack" version of Windows 7 Home Premium was also released for a limited time, which allowed upgrades on up to three computers.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-prices-windows-7-family-pack/|title=Microsoft prices Windows 7 family pack|last=Fried|first=Ina|date=July 31, 2009|work=CNET|access-date=April 29, 2019|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111011338/https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-prices-windows-7-family-pack/|url-status=live}} In certain regions, copies of Windows 7 were only sold in, and could only be activated in a designated region.{{cite web|title=Geographically Restricted Microsoft Software|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/howtotell/geoinfo.aspx|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=November 4, 2014|archive-date=March 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325071605/http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/howtotell/geoinfo.aspx|url-status=live}}

{{Infobox

| title = Support status summary

| headerstyle = background-color: #e8ece4

| header1 = Expiration date

| label2 = Mainstream support

| data2 = {{End date|2015|1|13}}

| label3 = Extended support

| data3 = {{End date|2020|1|14}}

| header4 = Applicable Windows 7 editions:

| data5 = Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate, as well as Professional for Embedded Systems and Ultimate for Embedded Systems{{cite web|title=Product lifecycle Windows 7 Embedded|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search?alpha=Windows%207%20embedded|access-date=August 11, 2020|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=July 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704045514/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/?alpha=Windows+7+embedded|url-status=live}}

| header6 = Exceptions

| label7 = Professional and Enterprise volume licensed editions, as well as Professional for Embedded Systems

| data7 = Extended Security Updates (ESU) support ended on January 10, 2023

| label8 = Windows Thin PC

| data8 = Mainstream support ended on October 11, 2016{{cite web|title=Product lifecycle Thin PC|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search?alpha=thin%20pc|access-date=August 11, 2020|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=July 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704045514/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/?alpha=thin+pc|url-status=live}}
Extended support ended on October 12, 2021

| label9 = Windows Embedded Standard 7

| data9 = Mainstream support ended on October 13, 2015
Extended support ended on October 13, 2020
Extended Security Updates (ESU) support ended on October 10, 2023

| label10 = Windows Embedded POSReady 7

| data10 = Mainstream support ended on October 11, 2016
Extended support ended on October 12, 2021
Extended Security Updates (ESU) support ended on October 8, 2024

}}

Support for the original release of Windows 7 (without a service pack) ended on April 9, 2013, requiring users to update to Windows 7 Service Pack 1 in order to continue receiving updates and support.{{cite web|title=Windows 7 users: Move to SP1 to continue receiving Microsoft support|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-users-move-to-sp1-to-continue-receiving-microsoft-support/|website=ZDNet|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=February 14, 2013|access-date=April 15, 2017|archive-date=April 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044659/http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-users-move-to-sp1-to-continue-receiving-microsoft-support/|url-status=live}} Microsoft ended the sale of new retail copies of Windows 7 in October 2014, and the sale of new OEM licenses for Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, and Ultimate ended on October 31, 2014. OEM sales of PCs with Windows 7 Professional pre-installed ended on October 31, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-sets-end-of-sales-date-for-windows-7-pcs/|title=Microsoft gives OEMs a deadline: one year, then no more new Windows 7 PCs|last=Bott|first=Ed|author-link=Ed Bott|date=November 2, 2015|website=ZDNet|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=July 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704154136/https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-sets-end-of-sales-date-for-windows-7-pcs/|url-status=live}} The sale of non-Professional OEM licenses was stopped on October 31, 2014.{{cite web|title=Windows 7 sales end this Friday|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/932002/windows-7-sales-end-this-friday.html|website=NetworkWorld|publisher=IDG|access-date=November 4, 2014|date=October 28, 2014|archive-date=April 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426184957/https://www.networkworld.com/article/932002/windows-7-sales-end-this-friday.html|url-status=live}}

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 13, 2015, while extended support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/07/10/microsoft-windows-7-mainstream-support/#6de872c271f7|title=Microsoft To Abandon Windows 7 Mainstream Support. Pressure Builds On Windows 10|last=Kelly|first=Gordon|date=July 10, 2014|work=Forbes|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531133110/https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/07/10/microsoft-windows-7-mainstream-support/#6de872c271f7|url-status=live}}

Variants of Windows 7 for embedded systems and thin clients have different support policies: Windows Embedded Standard 7 support ended in October 2020, but Windows Thin PC and Windows Embedded POSReady 7 had support until October 2021.

In March 2019, Microsoft announced that it would display notifications to users informing users of the upcoming end of support, and direct users to a website urging them to purchase a Windows 10 upgrade or a new computer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/12/18261699/microsoft-windows-7-notification-end-of-support|title=Windows 7 users to receive notifications from Microsoft about end of support|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=March 12, 2019|website=The Verge|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=March 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312174619/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/12/18261699/microsoft-windows-7-notification-end-of-support|url-status=live}}

In August 2019, researchers reported that "all modern versions of Microsoft Windows" may be at risk for "critical" system compromise because of design flaws of hardware device drivers from multiple providers.{{cite news |last=Winder |first=Davey |title=Critical Windows 10 Warning: Millions Of Users At Risk |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/08/11/critical-windows-10-warning-confirmed-millions-of-users-are-at-risk/ |date=August 11, 2019 |work=Forbes |access-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811101251/https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/08/11/critical-windows-10-warning-confirmed-millions-of-users-are-at-risk/ |url-status=live }} In the same month, computer experts reported that the BlueKeep security vulnerability, {{CVE|2019-0708}}, potentially affects older unpatched Microsoft Windows versions via the program's Remote Desktop Protocol, allowing for the possibility of remote code execution, may now include related flaws, collectively named DejaBlue, affecting newer Windows versions (i.e., Windows 7 and all recent versions) as well.{{cite magazine |last=Greenberg |first=Andy |title=DejaBlue: New BlueKeep-Style Bugs Renew The Risk Of A Windows worm |url=https://www.wired.com/story/dejablue-windows-bugs-worm-rdp/ |date=August 13, 2019 |magazine=wired |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413152701/https://www.wired.com/story/dejablue-windows-bugs-worm-rdp/ |url-status=live }} In addition, experts reported a Microsoft security vulnerability, {{CVE|2019-1162}}, based on legacy code involving Microsoft CTF and ctfmon (ctfmon.exe), that affects all Windows versions from the older Windows XP version to the most recent Windows 10 versions; a patch to correct the flaw is currently available.{{cite news |last=Seals |first=Tara |title=20-Year-Old Bug in Legacy Microsoft Code Plagues All Windows Users |url=https://threatpost.com/20-year-old-bug-legacy-microsoft-windows-users/147336/ |date=August 14, 2019 |work=ThreatPost.com |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417180352/https://threatpost.com/20-year-old-bug-legacy-microsoft-windows-users/147336/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2019, Microsoft announced that it would provide free security updates for Windows 7 on federally-certified voting machines through the 2020 United States elections.{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2019/09/20/extending-free-windows-7-security-updates-to-voting-systems/|title=Extending free Windows 7 security updates to voting systems|last=Burt|first=Tom|date=September 20, 2019|website=Microsoft On the Issues|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=October 12, 2019|archive-date=December 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218214735/https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2019/09/20/extending-free-windows-7-security-updates-to-voting-systems/|url-status=live}}

On September 7, 2018, Microsoft announced a paid "Extended Security Updates" (ESU) service that will offer additional updates for Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise for up to three years after the end of extended support, available via specific volume licensing programs in yearly installments.{{Cite news|url=https://www.extremetech.com/computing/276582-microsoft-relents-confirms-extended-support-option-for-windows-7|title=Microsoft Relents, Confirms Extended Support Option for Windows 7|website=ExtremeTech|date=September 7, 2018 |access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404221415/https://www.extremetech.com/computing/276582-microsoft-relents-confirms-extended-support-option-for-windows-7|url-status=live|last1=Whitwam |first1=Ryan }}

Windows 7 Professional for Embedded Systems, Windows Embedded Standard 7, and Windows Embedded POSReady 7 also get Extended Security Updates for up to three years after their end of extended support date, via OEMs. The Extended Security Updates program for Windows Embedded POSReady 7 ended on October 8, 2024, marking the final end of IA-32 updates on the Windows NT 6.1 product line after more than 15 years.

In August 2019, Microsoft announced it would offer a year of 'free' extended security updates to some business users.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-is-offering-some-enterprise-users-a-one-year-windows-7-extended-security-update-promo/|title=Microsoft is offering a 'free' Windows 7 extended security update to some business users|last=Foley|first=Mary Jo|website=ZDNet|language=en|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=October 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018074401/https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-is-offering-some-enterprise-users-a-one-year-windows-7-extended-security-update-promo/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/26/microsoft-enterprise-windows-7-security-updates/|title=Some Windows 7 customers to get Windows 7 security reprieve|website=TechCrunch|date=August 26, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=July 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704045551/https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/26/microsoft-enterprise-windows-7-security-updates/|url-status=live}}

In January 2023, version 109 of the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge became the last version of Edge to support Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows Server 2012/R2.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-09-19 |title=Microsoft Edge Supported Operating Systems |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-supported-operating-systems |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111053412/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-supported-operating-systems |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}} Alongside this, several other web browsers based on the Chromium codebase also dropped support for these operating systems after version 109, including Google Chrome and Opera.{{Cite web |title=Google Chrome Drops Support for Windows 7, 8.1 in Early 2023 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-chrome-drops-support-for-windows-7-81-in-early-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004133445/https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-chrome-drops-support-for-windows-7-81-in-early-2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=PCMAG |date=October 25, 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sunsetting support for Windows 7 / 8/8.1 and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 in early 2023 - Google Chrome Community |url=https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/185534985/sunsetting-support-for-windows-7-8-1-in-early-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129030419/https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/185534985/sunsetting-support-for-windows-7-8-1-in-early-2023 |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=support.google.com}} A fork of Chromium named Supermium is maintained for versions of Windows older than Windows 10, including Windows 7.{{Cite web |last=Proven |first=Liam |date=March 6, 2024 |title=Supermium drags Google Chrome back in time to Windows XP, Vista, and 7 |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/03/06/supermium_chrome_for_xp/ |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=The Register}}

Mozilla maintains Firefox 115 Extended Support Release (ESR) to support Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. Mozilla has committed to support it until at least September 2025.{{cite web |url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-users-windows-7-8-and-81-moving-extended-support |title=Firefox users on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 moving to Extended Support Release |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923224343/https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-users-windows-7-8-and-81-moving-extended-support |url-status=live }}

Steam ended support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 on January 1, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Tobias |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Valve celebrates New Year by blowing off Steam support for Windows 7 and 8 |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/02/steam_windows_eol/ |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=The Register}}

Additional requirements to use certain features:

• Windows XP Mode (Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise): Requires an additional 1 GB of RAM and additional 15 GB of available hard disk space. As of March 18, 2010, the requirement for a processor capable of hardware virtualization has been lifted.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/virtual_pc_guy/2010/03/18/windows-virtual-pc-no-hardware-virtualization-update-now-available-for-download/|title=Windows Virtual PC – no hardware virtualization update now available for download|last=Armstrong|first=Ben|date=March 18, 2010|website=Microsoft Developer Network|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429235606/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/virtual_pc_guy/2010/03/18/windows-virtual-pc-no-hardware-virtualization-update-now-available-for-download/|url-status=live}}
• Windows Media Center (included in Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise), requires a TV tuner to receive and record TV.

The maximum amount of RAM that Windows 7 supports varies depending on the product edition and on the processor architecture, as shown in the following table.{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/Memory/memory-limits-for-windows-releases#physical-memory-limits-windows-7|title=Memory Limits for Windows and Windows Server Releases|date=May 31, 2018|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430103854/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/Memory/memory-limits-for-windows-releases#physical-memory-limits-windows-7|url-status=live}}

Windows 7 Professional and up support up to 2 physical processors (CPU sockets),{{cite web

|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd405503(v=vs.85).aspx

|title=About Processes and Threads; Scheduling; Processor Groups

|publisher=Microsoft

|work=Microsoft Developer Network

|quote="A physical processor is the same as a processor package, a socket, or a CPU."

|access-date=April 18, 2014

|archive-date=October 5, 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005075730/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd405503(v=vs.85).aspx

|url-status=live

}} whereas Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium editions support only 1.{{cite web

|url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/system-requirements

|title=Processor limits for Windows 7

|publisher=Microsoft

|access-date=December 11, 2013

|archive-date=June 18, 2016

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618213940/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements

|url-status=live

}} Physical processors with either multiple cores, or hyper-threading, or both, implement more than one logical processor per physical processor. The x86 editions of Windows 7 support up to 32 logical processors; x64 editions support up to 256 (4 x 64).{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/ProcThread/processor-groups|title=Processor Groups|last1=Kennedy|first1=John|last2=Satran|first2=Michael|date=May 31, 2018|work=Microsoft Developer Network|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507052324/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/ProcThread/processor-groups|url-status=live}}

In January 2016, Microsoft announced that it would no longer support Windows platforms older than Windows 10 on any future Intel-compatible processor lines, citing difficulties in reliably allowing the operating system to operate on newer hardware. Microsoft stated that effective July 17, 2017, devices with Intel Skylake CPUs were only to receive the "most critical" updates for Windows 7 and 8.1, and only if they have been judged not to affect the reliability of Windows 7 on older hardware.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/01/skylake-users-given-18-months-to-upgrade-to-windows-10/|title=Skylake users given 18 months to upgrade to Windows 10|last=Bright|first=Peter|date=January 16, 2016|website=Ars Technica|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222194707/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/01/skylake-users-given-18-months-to-upgrade-to-windows-10/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Bott|first1=Ed|title=Microsoft updates support policy: New CPUs will require Windows 10|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-updates-support-policy-new-cpus-will-require-windows-10/|website=ZDNet|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 16, 2016|archive-date=January 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117004440/http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-updates-support-policy-new-cpus-will-require-windows-10/|url-status=live}} For enterprise customers, Microsoft issued a list of Skylake-based devices "certified" for Windows 7 and 8.1 in addition to Windows 10, to assist them in migrating to newer hardware that can eventually be upgraded to 10 once they are ready to transition. Microsoft and their hardware partners provide special testing and support for these devices on 7 and 8.1 until the July 2017 date.{{cite web|title=Microsoft certifies new PCs with Windows 7 to ease enterprises onto Windows 10|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3023113/windows/microsoft-gives-enterprises-18-months-to-upgrade-to-windows-10.html|website=PC World|access-date=January 16, 2016|archive-date=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116091514/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3023113/windows/microsoft-gives-enterprises-18-months-to-upgrade-to-windows-10.html|url-status=live}}

On March 18, 2016, in response to criticism from enterprise customers, Microsoft delayed the end of support and non-critical updates for Skylake systems to July 17, 2018, but stated that they would also continue to receive security updates through the end of extended support.{{cite web|title=Skylake support on Windows 7 and 8.1 given a one-year extension|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/03/skylake-support-on-windows-7-and-8-1-given-a-one-year-extension/|website=Ars Technica|date=March 18, 2016|access-date=March 18, 2016|archive-date=March 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318234319/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/03/skylake-support-on-windows-7-and-8-1-given-a-one-year-extension/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Microsoft backtracks on Windows 7 support deadline|url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/3046032/windows-pcs/microsoft-backtracks-on-windows-7-support-deadline.html|website=Computerworld|date=March 18, 2016|access-date=March 18, 2016|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321101059/http://www.computerworld.com/article/3046032/windows-pcs/microsoft-backtracks-on-windows-7-support-deadline.html|url-status=live}} In August 2016, citing a "strong partnership with our OEM partners and Intel", Microsoft retracted the decision and stated that it would continue to support Windows 7 and 8.1 on Skylake hardware through the end of their extended support lifecycle. However, the restrictions on newer CPU microarchitectures remain in force.{{cite web|last1=Larsen|first1=Shad|title=Updates to Silicon Support Policy for Windows|url=https://blogs.windows.com/business/2016/08/11/updates-to-silicon-support-policy-for-windows/|website=Windows business blog|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=May 9, 2017|language=en|date=August 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425131840/https://blogs.windows.com/business/2016/08/11/updates-to-silicon-support-policy-for-windows/|archive-date=April 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Jo Foley|first1=Mary|title=Microsoft extends again support for Windows 7, 8.1 Skylake-based devices|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-extends-again-support-for-windows-7-8-1-skylake-based-devices/|work=ZDNet|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=May 9, 2017|date=August 11, 2016|language=en|archive-date=August 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811223853/http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-extends-again-support-for-windows-7-8-1-skylake-based-devices/|url-status=live}}

In March 2017, a Microsoft knowledge base article announced which implies that devices using Intel Kaby Lake, AMD Bristol Ridge, or AMD Ryzen, would be blocked from using Windows Update entirely.{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4012982/discusses-an-issue-in-which-you-receive-a-your-pc-uses-a-processor-tha|title="Your PC uses a processor that isn't supported on this version of Windows" error when you scan or download Windows updates|date=April 20, 2017|website=Microsoft Support|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429173023/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4012982/the-processor-is-not-supported-together-with-the-windows-version-that|archive-date=April 29, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Blocking Windows 7, 8.1 updates for Kaby Lake, Ryzen chips appears imminent|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/03/microsoft-is-getting-ready-to-block-windows-updates-for-old-windows-on-new-chips/|website=Ars Technica|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=March 17, 2017|archive-date=March 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316234125/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/03/microsoft-is-getting-ready-to-block-windows-updates-for-old-windows-on-new-chips/|url-status=live}} In addition, official Windows 7 device drivers are not available for the Kaby Lake and Ryzen platforms.{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/intel-s-latest-cpus-will-only-support-windows-10-1327487|title=Intel's latest CPUs will only support Windows 10|last=Allan|first=Darren|date=August 31, 2016|website=TechRadar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507052024/https://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/intel-s-latest-cpus-will-only-support-windows-10-1327487|archive-date=May 7, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3167279/amd-sorry-there-will-be-no-official-ryzen-drivers-for-windows-7.html|title=AMD: Sorry, there will be no official Ryzen drivers for Windows 7|last=Hachman|first=Mark|date=February 8, 2017|website=PC World|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327214012/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3167279/computers/amd-sorry-there-will-be-no-official-ryzen-drivers-for-windows-7.html|url-status=live}}

Security updates released since March 2018 contained bugs that affect processors that do not support SSE2 extensions, including all Pentium III, Athlon XP, and prior processors. Microsoft initially stated that it would attempt to resolve this issue, and prevented installation of the affected patches on these systems. However, Microsoft retroactively modified its support documents on June 15, 2018 to remove the promise that this bug would be resolved, replacing it with a statement suggesting that users obtain a newer processor. This effectively ends further patch support for Windows 7 on these older systems.{{Cite news|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3282066/microsoft-windows/microsoft-quietly-cuts-off-win7-support-for-older-intel-computers.html|title=Microsoft quietly cuts off Win7 support for older Intel computers|last=Leonhard|first=Woody|work=Computerworld|access-date=June 25, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624151203/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3282066/microsoft-windows/microsoft-quietly-cuts-off-win7-support-for-older-intel-computers.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-unexpectedly-drops-windows-7-support-for-some-ancient-cpus/|title=Microsoft unexpectedly drops Windows 7 support for some ancient CPUs|last=Bott|first=Ed|date=June 25, 2018|work=ZDNet|access-date=April 29, 2019|publisher=CBS Interactive|language=en|author-link=Ed Bott|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301152032/https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-unexpectedly-drops-windows-7-support-for-some-ancient-cpus/|url-status=live}}

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) was announced on March 18, 2010. A beta was released on July 12, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/business/archive/2010/06/07/virtualization-updates-at-teched.aspx|title=Virtualization Updates at TechEd|last=Schuster|first=Gavriella|date=June 7, 2010|website=Windows Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609001634/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/business/archive/2010/06/07/virtualization-updates-at-teched.aspx|archive-date=June 9, 2010|access-date=April 29, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2516464/microsoft-announces-windows-7-sp1.html|title=Microsoft Announces Windows 7 Service Pack 1|last=Keizer|first=Gregg|date=March 18, 2010|work=Computerworld|access-date=April 29, 2019|publisher=IDG|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531124904/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2516464/microsoft-announces-windows-7-sp1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://redmondmag.com/articles/2010/07/12/microsoft-releases-sp1-beta-for-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx|title=Microsoft Releases SP1 Beta for Windows Server 2008 R2|last=Mackie|first=Kurt|date=July 12, 2010|website=Redmondmag.com|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531123404/https://redmondmag.com/articles/2010/07/12/microsoft-releases-sp1-beta-for-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx|url-status=live}} The final version was released to the public on February 22, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2011/02/09/announcing-availability-of-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1/|title=Announcing Availability of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1|last=LeBlanc|first=Brandon|date=February 9, 2011|website=Windows Blogs|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331182920/https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2011/02/09/announcing-availability-of-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1/|url-status=live}} At the time of release, it was not made mandatory. It was available via Windows Update, direct download, or by ordering the Windows 7 SP1 DVD.{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/gg635126.aspx |title=Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 |website=Technet.microsoft.com |access-date=June 21, 2011 |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624035150/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/gg635126.aspx |url-status=live }} The service pack is on a much smaller scale than those released for previous versions of Windows, particularly Windows Vista.{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/microsoft-few-issues-to-address-with-windows-7-service-pack-1-665048|title=Microsoft: Few issues to address with Windows 7 Service Pack 1|website=TechRadar UK|date=May 4, 2017|access-date=April 7, 2010|archive-date=January 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103141907/http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/microsoft-few-issues-to-address-with-windows-7-service-pack-1-665048|url-status=live}}

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 adds support for Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX), a 256-bit instruction set extension for processors, and improves IKEv2 by adding additional identification fields such as E-mail ID to it. In addition, it adds support for Advanced Format 512e as well as additional Identity Federation Services.{{cite web

|url = http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/B/A/EBA55FE2-373A-4351-9346-6D762B79AA69/Notable%20Changes%20in%20Windows%207%20and%20Windows%20Server%202008%20R2%20Service%20Pack%201.doc

|title = Notable Changes in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

|website = Microsoft Download Center

|publisher = Microsoft

|date = February 9, 2011

|access-date = March 10, 2011

|archive-date = February 25, 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110225133431/http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/B/A/EBA55FE2-373A-4351-9346-6D762B79AA69/Notable%20Changes%20in%20Windows%207%20and%20Windows%20Server%202008%20R2%20Service%20Pack%201.doc

|url-status = live

}}{{cite web

|url = http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=976932

|title = Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2 (Revision 3.1)

|website = Support

|publisher = Microsoft

|date = February 22, 2011

|access-date = March 10, 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110429031700/http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=976932

|archive-date = April 29, 2011

|url-status = live

}} Windows 7 Service Pack 1 also resolves a bug related to HDMI audio and another related to printing XPS documents.

In Europe, the automatic nature of the BrowserChoice.eu feature was dropped in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 in February 2011 and remained absent for 14 months despite Microsoft reporting that it was still present, subsequently described by Microsoft as a "technical error." As a result, in March 2013, the European Commission fined Microsoft €561 million to deter companies from reneging on settlement promises.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21684329|title=Microsoft fined by European Commission over web browser|date=March 6, 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529104603/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21684329|url-status=live}}

The Platform Update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 was released on February 26, 2013{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2670838/platform-update-for-windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1|title=Platform update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1|date=February 27, 2013|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507050936/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2670838/platform-update-for-windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1|archive-date=May 7, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019}} after a pre-release version had been released on November 5, 2012.{{cite web|title=Platform Update for Windows 7 (PRE-RELEASE version) |url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35661 |work=Download Center | publisher=Microsoft |access-date=December 29, 2012 |date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110134924/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35661 |archive-date=January 10, 2013 }} It is also included with Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/chuckw/archive/2012/11/14/directx-11-1-and-windows-7.aspx|title=DirectX 11.1 and Windows 7|date=November 13, 2012|work=Games for Windows and the DirectX SDK Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329124238/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/chuckw/archive/2012/11/14/directx-11-1-and-windows-7.aspx|archive-date=March 29, 2013|access-date=April 29, 2019}}

It includes enhancements to Direct2D, DirectWrite, Direct3D, Windows Imaging Component (WIC), Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform (WARP), Windows Animation Manager (WAM), XPS Document API, H.264 Video Decoder and JPEG XR decoder. However support for Direct3D 11.1 is limited as the update does not include DXGI/WDDM 1.2 from Windows 8, making unavailable many related APIs and significant features such as stereoscopic frame buffer, feature level 11_1 and optional features for levels 10_0, 10_1 and 11_0.{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/direct3darticles/platform-update-for-windows-7|title=Platform Update for Windows 7|date=May 31, 2018|website=Microsoft Developer Network|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507155115/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/direct3darticles/platform-update-for-windows-7|url-status=live}}

In October 2013, a Disk Cleanup Wizard addon was released that lets users delete outdated Windows updates on Windows 7 SP1, thus reducing the size of the WinSxS directory. This update backports some features found in Windows 8.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askpfeplat/2013/10/08/breaking-news-reduce-the-size-of-the-winsxs-directory-and-free-up-disk-space-with-a-new-update-for-windows-7-sp1-clients/|title=Breaking News! Reduce the size of the WinSxS Directory and Free up Disk Space with a New Update for Windows 7 SP1 Clients|last=Shelbourne|first=Charity|date=October 8, 2013|website=Microsoft TechNet|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419091954/https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askpfeplat/2013/10/08/breaking-news-reduce-the-size-of-the-winsxs-directory-and-free-up-disk-space-with-a-new-update-for-windows-7-sp1-clients/|url-status=live}}

Windows Management Framework 5.0 includes updates to Windows PowerShell 5.0, Windows PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC), Windows Remote Management (WinRM), Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). It was released on February 24, 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50395|title=Download: Windows Management Framework 5.0|work=Download Center|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=February 24, 2016|archive-date=July 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704045514/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50395|url-status=live}} and was eventually superseded by Windows Management Framework 5.1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54616|title=Download: Windows Management Framework 5.1|website=Microsoft Download Center|publisher=Microsoft|language=en-us|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430065815/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54616|url-status=live}}

In May 2016, Microsoft released a "Convenience rollup update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1," which contains all patches released between the release of SP1 and April 2016. The rollup is not available via Windows Update, and must be downloaded manually. This package can also be integrated into a Windows 7 installation image.{{cite web|title=Windows 7 now has a Service Pack 2 (but don't call it that)|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/windows-7-now-has-a-service-pack-2-but-dont-call-it-that/|website=Ars Technica|date=May 17, 2016|publisher=Conde Nast Digital|access-date=May 18, 2016|archive-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518003340/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/windows-7-now-has-a-service-pack-2-but-dont-call-it-that/|url-status=live}}

Since October 2016, all security and reliability updates are cumulative. Downloading and installing updates that address individual problems is no longer possible, but the number of updates that must be downloaded to fully update the OS is significantly reduced.{{cite web|title=Windows 7, 8.1 moving to Windows 10's cumulative update model|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2016/08/windows-7-8-1-moving-to-windows-10s-cumulative-update-model/|website=Ars Technica|date=August 15, 2016|publisher=Conde Nast Digital|access-date=August 16, 2016|archive-date=February 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214193755/https://arstechnica.com/business/2016/08/windows-7-8-1-moving-to-windows-10s-cumulative-update-model/|url-status=live}}

In June 2018, Microsoft announced that Windows 7 would be moved to a monthly update model beginning with updates released in September 2018,{{Cite web|title=September 11, 2018—KB4457144 (Monthly Rollup)|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/september-11-2018-kb4457144-monthly-rollup-ae7c5829-27ec-6da6-3a7b-5748ddd376b9|access-date=2021-03-26|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423085442/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/september-11-2018-kb4457144-monthly-rollup-ae7c5829-27ec-6da6-3a7b-5748ddd376b9|url-status=live}} two years after Microsoft switched the rest of their supported operating systems to that model.{{Cite web|title=October 9, 2018—KB4462923 (Monthly Rollup)|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/october-9-2018-kb4462923-monthly-rollup-8ccc9c0a-0fe7-f00c-c0ed-f7e5a23f42d5|access-date=2021-03-26|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=March 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328172308/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/october-9-2018-kb4462923-monthly-rollup-8ccc9c0a-0fe7-f00c-c0ed-f7e5a23f42d5|url-status=live}} With the new update model, instead of updates being released as they became available, only two update packages were released on the second Tuesday of every month until Windows 7 reached its end of life—one package containing security and quality updates, and a smaller package that contained only the security updates. Users could choose which package they wanted to install each month. Later in the month, another package would be released which was a preview of the next month's security and quality update rollup.

Microsoft announced in July 2019 that the Microsoft Internet Games services on Windows XP and Windows Me would end on July 31, 2019 (and for Windows 7 on January 22, 2020).{{Cite web|url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/farewell-to-microsoft-internet-games-on-windows-xp/035d5144-6c1b-49bb-b3d5-37f6355fec39?auth=1|title=Farewell to Microsoft Internet Games on Windows XP, Windows ME, and Windows 7|website=answers.microsoft.com|language=en-US|access-date=August 4, 2019|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714150805/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/farewell-to-microsoft-internet-games-on-windows-xp/035d5144-6c1b-49bb-b3d5-37f6355fec39?auth=1|url-status=live}}

The last non-extended security update rollup packages were released on January 14, 2020, the last day that Windows 7 had extended support.{{cite web |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/windows-7-gets-final-monthly-rollup-update-before-end-of-life/#:~:text=Windows%207%20has%20just%20received,a%20couple%20of%20security%20fixes. |title=Windows 7 Gets Final Monthly Rollup Update Before End of Life |website=bleepingcomputer.com |publisher=Conde Nast Digital |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114211249/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/windows-7-gets-final-monthly-rollup-update-before-end-of-life/#:~:text=Windows%207%20has%20just%20received,a%20couple%20of%20security%20fixes. |url-status=live }}

On January 14, 2020, Windows 7 support ended with Microsoft no longer providing security updates or fixes after that date,{{Cite web|title=Windows 7 End of Support Info - Microsoft|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-7-end-of-life-support-information|access-date=2020-06-23|website=Windows|language=en-gb|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623095916/https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-7-end-of-life-support-information|url-status=live}} except for subscribers of the Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU), who were able to receive Windows 7 security updates through January 10, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4527878/faq-about-extended-security-updates-for-windows-7|title=FAQ about Extended Security Updates for Windows 7|access-date=2020-06-23|website=support.microsoft.com|publisher=Microsoft Docs|archive-date=June 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624093658/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4527878/faq-about-extended-security-updates-for-windows-7/|url-status=live}} However, there have been two updates that have been issued to non-ESU subscribers:

• In February 2020, Microsoft released an update via Windows Update to fix a black wallpaper issue caused by the January 2020 update for Windows 7.{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/january-31-2020-kb4539601-preview-of-monthly-rollup-1768e5a4-04bc-e964-a7a7-9509f91b0d1f|title=January 31, 2020—KB4539601 (Preview of Monthly Rollup)|access-date=2020-06-23|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=January 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128191118/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/january-31-2020-kb4539601-preview-of-monthly-rollup-1768e5a4-04bc-e964-a7a7-9509f91b0d1f|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Update to Fix Wallpaper Bug|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-releases-windows-7-update-to-fix-wallpaper-bug/|access-date=2020-06-23|website=BleepingComputer|language=en-us|archive-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511115727/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-releases-windows-7-update-to-fix-wallpaper-bug/|url-status=live}}
• In June 2020, Microsoft released an update via Windows Update to roll out the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge to Windows 7 and 8.1 machines that are not connected to Active Directory.{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4567409/update-for-the-new-microsoft-edge|title=Update for the new Microsoft Edge for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1: June 17, 2020|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=2020-06-23|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620083909/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4567409/update-for-the-new-microsoft-edge|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Microsoft rolls out new Edge to Windows 7 via Windows Update|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-rolls-out-new-edge-to-windows-7-via-windows-update/|access-date=2020-06-23|website=BleepingComputer|language=en-us|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623174728/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-rolls-out-new-edge-to-windows-7-via-windows-update/|url-status=live}} Users, e.g. those on Active Directory, can download Edge from Microsoft's website.

In a support document, Microsoft has stated that a full-screen upgrade warning notification would be displayed on Windows 7 PCs on all editions except the Enterprise edition after January 15, 2020. The notification does not appear on machines connected to Active Directory, machines in kiosk mode, or machines subscribed for Extended Security Updates.{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4565539/windows-7-update-kb4565539|title=July 14, 2020—KB4565539 (Security-only update)|date=July 14, 2020|access-date=2020-07-14|website=support.microsoft.com|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805072555/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4565539/windows-7-update-kb4565539/|url-status=live}}

As part of the September 2022 Extended Security Updates (ESU) rollup, Microsoft quietly added in Secure Boot support, along with partial UEFI support.{{Cite web |title=Microsoft sneaks Secure Boot support into Windows 7 shortly before support ends |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2023/01/10/microsoft-sneaks-secure-boot-support-into-windows-7-shortly-before-support-ends/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Ghacks |date=January 10, 2023 }}

Windows 7 received critical acclaim, with critics noting the increased usability and functionality when compared with its predecessor, Windows Vista. CNET gave Windows 7 Home Premium a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars,{{cite web |first=Seth |last=Rosenblatt |title=Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium) Review |date=July 31, 2009 |work=CNET |publisher=CBS Interactive |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/microsoft-windows-7-home/4505-3672_7-33704139.html |access-date=October 19, 2009 |archive-date=October 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018193403/http://reviews.cnet.com/windows/microsoft-windows-7-home/4505-3672_7-33704139.html |url-status=live }} stating that it "is more than what Vista should have been, [and] it's where Microsoft needed to go". PC Magazine rated it a 4 out of 5 saying that Windows 7 is a "big improvement" over Windows Vista, with fewer compatibility problems, a retooled taskbar, simpler home networking and faster start-up.{{cite web

| url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0%2C2817%2C2348899%2C00.asp

| title = Microsoft Windows 7

| first = Michael

| last = Muchmore

| date = October 22, 2009

| work = PC Magazine

| publisher = Ziff Davis

| access-date = November 13, 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091031065210/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2348899,00.asp

| archive-date = October 31, 2009

| url-status = dead

}} Maximum PC gave Windows 7 a rating of 9 out of 10 and called Windows 7 a "massive leap forward" in usability and security, and praised the new Taskbar as "worth the price of admission alone."{{cite news

| url = http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/windows_7_review

| title = Windows 7 Review: XP vs Vista vs 7 in 80+ Benchmarks

| first = Will

| last = Smith

| date = October 19, 2009

| work = Maximum PC

| publisher = Future US

| access-date = November 13, 2009

| archive-date = November 24, 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091124052951/http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/windows_7_review

| url-status = live

}} PC World called Windows 7 a "worthy successor" to Windows XP and said that speed benchmarks showed Windows 7 to be slightly faster than Windows Vista.{{cite web

| url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/172602/windows_7_review.html

| title = Windows 7 Review

| first = Harry

| last = McCracken

| author-link = Harry McCracken

| date = October 19, 2009

| work = PC World

| publisher = IDG

| access-date = November 13, 2009

| archive-date = November 22, 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091122043423/http://www.pcworld.com/article/172602/windows_7_review.html

| url-status = live

}} PC World also named Windows 7 one of the best products of the year.{{cite web

| url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/174171-2/the_pc_world_100_best_products_of_2009.html

| title = The PC World 100: Best Products of 2009

| date = October 19, 2009

| work = PC World

| publisher = IDG

| access-date = November 13, 2009

| archive-date = November 24, 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091124231114/http://www.pcworld.com/article/174171-2/the_pc_world_100_best_products_of_2009.html

| url-status = live

}}

In its review of Windows 7, Engadget said that Microsoft had taken a "strong step forward" with Windows 7 and reported that speed is one of Windows 7's major selling points—particularly for the netbook sets.{{cite web

| url = https://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/windows-7-review/

| title = Windows 7 review

| first = Paul

| last = Miller

| date = August 12, 2009

| work = Engadget

| publisher = AOL

| access-date = November 13, 2009

| archive-date = November 16, 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091116061652/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/windows-7-review/

| url-status = live

}} Laptop Magazine gave Windows 7 a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and said that Windows 7 makes computing more intuitive, offered better overall performance including a "modest to dramatic" increase in battery life on laptop computers.{{cite web

| url = http://www.laptopmag.com/review/software/windows-7.aspx

| title = Windows 7

| first = Dana | last = Wollman

| date = August 21, 2009

| work = Laptop Magazine

| publisher = TechMedia

| access-date =November 13, 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140417003030/http://www.laptopmag.com/review/software/windows-7.aspx

| archive-date = April 17, 2014

}} TechRadar gave Windows 7 a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, concluding that "it combines the security and architectural improvements of Windows Vista with better performance than XP can deliver on today's hardware. No version of Windows is ever perfect, but Windows 7 really is the best release of Windows yet."{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-7-622923/review|title=Windows 7 review|last1=Branscombe|first1=Mary|last2=Athow|first2=Desire|date=September 2, 2016|work=TechRadar|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428120146/https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-7-622923/review|url-status=live}} USA Today{{cite news|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/products/2009-10-16-baig16_CV_N.htm|title=After Vista, Windows 7 is a giant leap for Microsoft|last=Baig|first=Edward C.|date=October 21, 2009|work=USA Today|access-date=April 28, 2019|author-link=Ed Baig|archive-date=November 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117063727/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/products/2009-10-16-baig16_CV_N.htm|url-status=live}} and The Telegraph{{cite news

|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/6384509/Microsoft-Windows-7-review.html

|title = Microsoft Windows 7 review

|first = Matt

|last = Warman

|date = October 20, 2009

|work = The Telegraph

|location = London

|publisher = The Daily Telegraph

|access-date = November 13, 2009

|archive-date = October 23, 2009

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091023081852/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/6384509/Microsoft-Windows-7-review.html

|url-status = live

}} also gave Windows 7 favorable reviews.

Nick Wingfield of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "Visually arresting," and "A pleasure."{{cite news|last=Mossberg|first=Walter S.|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703298004574459293141191728|title=A Windows to Help You Forget|date=October 8, 2009|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=April 28, 2019|author-link=Walter Mossberg|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531123248/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703298004574459293141191728|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/04/30/this-is-your-windows-on-drugs/|title=This is Your Windows on Drugs|last=Wingfield|first=Nick|date=2009-05-01|website=The Wall Street Journal|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625094439/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/04/30/this-is-your-windows-on-drugs/|url-status=live}} Mary Branscombe of Financial Times wrote, "A clear leap forward."{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/7636f7b8-397a-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0|title=Windows 7 takes a clear leap forward|last=Branscombe|first=Mary|date=May 5, 2009|newspaper=Financial Times|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916185724/https://www.ft.com/content/7636f7b8-397a-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0|url-status=live}} Jesus Diaz of Gizmodo wrote, "Windows 7 Kills Snow Leopard."{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/windows-7-kills-snow-leopard-and-eats-it-5272999|title=Windows 7 Kills Snow Leopard and Eats It|last=Diaz|first=Jesus|date=May 29, 2009|website=Gizmodo|language=en-us|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=April 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419204423/https://gizmodo.com/windows-7-kills-snow-leopard-and-eats-it-5272999|url-status=live}} Don Reisinger of CNET wrote, "Delightful."{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/will-windows-7-stymie-mac-os-xs-growth/|title=Will Windows 7 stymie Mac OS X's growth?|last=Reisinger|first=Don|date=January 12, 2009|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916185321/https://www.cnet.com/news/will-windows-7-stymie-mac-os-xs-growth/|url-status=live}} David Pogue of The New York Times wrote, "Faster."{{cite news|last=Pogue|first=David|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html|title=Windows 7 Keeps the Good, Tries to Fix Flaws|date=October 21, 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 28, 2019|author-link=David Pogue|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531123248/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html|url-status=live}} J. Peter Bruzzese and Richi Jennings of Computerworld wrote, "Ready."{{Cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2467227/windows-7-ready--to-manufacture---7600-16385-is-rtm-id.html|title=Windows 7 ready (to manufacture): 7600.16385 is RTM ID|last=Jennings|first=Richi|date=2009-07-23|website=Computerworld|language=en|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812204749/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2467227/windows-7-ready--to-manufacture---7600-16385-is-rtm-id.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2528663/ready-for-windows-7--here-s-how-to-deploy-it-right.html|title=Ready for Windows 7? Here's how to deploy it right|last=Bruzzese|first=J. Peter|date=2009-10-08|website=Computerworld|language=en|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814200532/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2528663/ready-for-windows-7--here-s-how-to-deploy-it-right.html|url-status=live}}

Some Windows Vista Ultimate users have expressed concerns over Windows 7 pricing and upgrade options.{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10277506-56.html|title=Some Vista users say they're getting the Ultimate shaft|last=Fried|first=Ina|date=July 2, 2009|work=CNET|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729111251/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10277506-56.html|archive-date=July 29, 2009|access-date=April 28, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2526371/vista-ultimate-users-fume--rant-over-windows-7-deals.html|title=Vista Ultimate users fume, rant over Windows 7 deals|last=Keizer|first=Gregg|date=July 2, 2009|work=Computerworld|publisher=IDG|access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428121649/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2526371/vista-ultimate-users-fume--rant-over-windows-7-deals.html|url-status=live}} Windows Vista Ultimate users wanting to upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 had to either pay $219.99{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/default.aspx|title=Shop: Windows 7|date=October 22, 2009|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024224540/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/default.aspx|archive-date=October 24, 2009|access-date=April 28, 2019}} to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate or perform a clean install, which requires them to reinstall all of their programs.{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-considerations.aspx|title=Windows 7 Upgrade Considerations|date=October 22, 2009|publisher=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227021725/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-considerations.aspx|archive-date=December 27, 2009|access-date=April 28, 2019}}

The changes to User Account Control on Windows 7 were criticized for being potentially insecure, as an exploit was discovered allowing untrusted software to be launched with elevated privileges by exploiting a trusted component. Peter Bright of Ars Technica argued that "the way that the Windows 7 UAC 'improvements' have been made completely exempts Microsoft's developers from having to do that work themselves. With Windows 7, it's one rule for Redmond, another one for everyone else."{{cite web|first=Zack |last=Whittaker |title=Windows 7 UAC flaw: "Pandora's box of all vulnerabilities" |work=ZDNet |date=June 12, 2009 |url=http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration/?p=1826 |access-date=June 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615163741/http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration/?p=1826 |archive-date=June 15, 2009 }} Microsoft's Windows kernel engineer Mark Russinovich acknowledged the problem, but noted that malware can also compromise a system when users agree to a prompt.{{cite web |last=Russinovich |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Russinovich |title=User Account Control Inside Windows 7 User Account Control |publisher=Microsoft |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.07.uac.aspx |access-date=June 14, 2009 |archive-date=June 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612032102/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2009.07.uac.aspx |url-status=live }}

In July 2009, in only eight hours, pre-orders of Windows 7 at amazon.co.uk surpassed the demand which Windows Vista had in its first 17 weeks.{{cite news |title=Windows 7 flies off virtual shelf |date=July 15, 2009 |publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8151342.stm|access-date=July 15, 2009}} It became the highest-grossing pre-order in Amazon's history, surpassing sales of the previous record holder, the seventh Harry Potter book.{{cite news |title=Windows 7 set to break retail records |date=October 21, 2009 |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/oct/21/windows-7-launch |access-date=October 21, 2009 |first=Bobbie |last=Johnson |archive-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908045805/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/oct/21/windows-7-launch |url-status=live }} After 36 hours, 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions sold out in Japan.{{cite web|title=64bit版Windows 7は人気でやや品薄、週明けには回復？|date=October 24, 2009|url=http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/hotline/20091024/etc_win75.html|access-date=October 24, 2009|archive-date=October 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027005647/http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/hotline/20091024/etc_win75.html|url-status=live}} Two weeks after its release its market share had surpassed that of Snow Leopard, released two months previously as the most recent update to Apple's Mac OS X operating system.{{cite news|title=October 2009 OS stats: Windows 7 passes Snow Leopard, Linux|date=November 6, 2009|publisher=ars technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/11/october-2009-os-stats-windows-7-passes-snow-leopard-linux-1.ars|access-date=November 7, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107054742/http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/11/october-2009-os-stats-windows-7-passes-snow-leopard-linux-1.ars|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Windows 7 surpasses Snow Leopard in under two weeks |date=November 7, 2009 |work=Neowin |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-7-surpasses-snow-leopard-in-under-two-weeks |first=Andrew |last=Lyle |access-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202235529/https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-7-surpasses-snow-leopard-in-under-two-weeks |url-status=live }} According to Net Applications, Windows 7 reached a 4% market share in less than three weeks; in comparison, it took Windows Vista seven months to reach the same mark.{{cite web | url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10394517-75.html | title = Windows 7 use continues to climb | author-link = Ina Fried | first = Ina | last = Fried | date = November 10, 2009 | work = CNET | publisher = CBS Interactive | access-date = November 13, 2009 | archive-date = April 26, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110426041418/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10394517-75.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.linexp.ru/statistika-rosta-rynochnyx-dolej-windows-vista-windows-7-i-windows-8|title=Increasing market share of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 since the start of beta testing|access-date=June 2, 2013|archive-date=June 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617105706/http://linexp.ru/statistika-rosta-rynochnyx-dolej-windows-vista-windows-7-i-windows-8|url-status=live}} As of February 2014, Windows 7 had a market share of 47.49% according to Net Applications; in comparison, Windows XP had a market share of 29.23%.{{cite web|title=Windows XP gained market share in January (or did it?)|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2093741/windows-xp-gained-market-share-in-january-or-did-it.html|work=PC World|publisher=IDG|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-date=March 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326122236/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2093741/windows-xp-gained-market-share-in-january-or-did-it.html|url-status=live}}

On March 4, 2010, Microsoft announced that it had sold more than 90 million licenses.{{cite news | first = Matt | last = Warman | title = Microsoft sells more than 90 million copies of Windows 7 | date = March 5, 2010 | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/7374148/Microsoft-sells-more-than-90-million-copies-of-Windows-7.html | work = The Daily Telegraph | location = UK | access-date = April 30, 2011 | archive-date = March 10, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100310024849/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/7374148/Microsoft-sells-more-than-90-million-copies-of-Windows-7.html | url-status = live }}

By April 23, 2010, more than 100 million copies were sold in six months, which made it Microsoft's fastest-selling operating system.{{cite news |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-now-fastest-selling-windows-os/ |title=Windows 7 now fastest-selling Windows OS |publisher=ZDNet |date=April 27, 2010 |access-date=June 24, 2010 |archive-date=June 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629001926/http://www.zdnet.com/news/windows-7-now-fastest-selling-windows-os/417718 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/paul-thurrotts-wininfo/Windows-7-150-Million-Copies-Sold.aspx |title=Windows 7: 150 Million Copies Sold |publisher=Windows IT Pro |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=June 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021060551/http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/paul-thurrotts-wininfo/Windows-7-150-Million-Copies-Sold |archive-date=October 21, 2012}} As of June 23, 2010, Windows 7 has sold 150 million copies which made it the fastest selling operating system in history with seven copies sold every second.{{cite news |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/06/23/150-million-licenses-of-windows-7-sold-windows-live-betas-announced.aspx |title=150 Million Licenses of Windows 7 Sold, Windows Live Betas Announced |publisher=Microsoft |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=June 24, 2010 |archive-date=June 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625233433/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/06/23/150-million-licenses-of-windows-7-sold-windows-live-betas-announced.aspx |url-status=live }} Based on worldwide data taken during June 2010 from Windows Update 46% of Windows 7 PCs run the 64-bit edition of Windows 7.{{cite news |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/07/08/64-bit-momentum-surges-with-windows-7.aspx |title=64-Bit Momentum Surges with Windows 7 |publisher=Microsoft |date=July 8, 2010 |access-date=August 2, 2010 |archive-date=July 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712104728/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/07/08/64-bit-momentum-surges-with-windows-7.aspx |url-status=live }} According to Stephen Baker of the NPD Group during April 2010 in the United States 77% of PCs sold at retail were pre-installed with the 64-bit edition of Windows 7.{{cite news |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20010092-75.html |title=Microsoft: Windows 7 makes 64-bit headway |work=CNET |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=August 2, 2010 |archive-date=April 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426041515/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20010092-75.html |url-status=live }} As of July 22, 2010, Windows 7 had sold 175 million copies.{{cite news |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/07/22/windows-7-momentum-continues-175-million-licenses-sold.aspx |title=Windows 7 Momentum Continues: 175 Million Licenses Sold |publisher=Microsoft |date=July 22, 2010 |access-date=July 27, 2010 |archive-date=July 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726135003/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/07/22/windows-7-momentum-continues-175-million-licenses-sold.aspx |url-status=live }} On October 21, 2010, Microsoft announced that more than 240 million copies of Windows 7 had been sold.{{cite news |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/10/21/celebrating-windows-7-at-1-year-more-than-240-million-licenses-sold.aspx |title=Celebrating Windows 7 at 1 Year – More than 240 Million Licenses Sold |publisher=Microsoft |date=October 21, 2010 |access-date=October 22, 2010 |archive-date=October 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022230408/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2010/10/21/celebrating-windows-7-at-1-year-more-than-240-million-licenses-sold.aspx |url-status=live }} Three months later, on January 27, 2011, Microsoft announced total sales of 300 million copies of Windows 7.{{cite news |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2011/01/27/windows-7-300-million-licenses-sold.aspx |title=Windows 7: 300 Million Licenses Sold |publisher=Microsoft |date=January 27, 2011 |access-date=February 20, 2010 |archive-date=January 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130044920/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2011/01/27/windows-7-300-million-licenses-sold.aspx |url-status=live }} On July 12, 2011, the sales figure was refined to over 400 million end-user licenses and business installations.{{cite news |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2011/07/21/microsoft-reports-record-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-results/ |title=Microsoft Reports Record Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results |work=News Center |publisher=Microsoft |date=July 12, 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |first=Peter |last=Klein |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203021602/http://news.microsoft.com/2011/07/21/microsoft-reports-record-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-results/ |url-status=live }} As of July 9, 2012, over 630 million licenses have been sold; this number includes licenses sold to OEMs for new PCs.{{cite news| title=Windows 7 hits 630 million licenses sold, now running on 50 percent of enterprise desktops| url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/7/9/3146777/windows-7-630-million-licenses-sold-enterprise-adoption| last=Warren on| first=Tom| date=July 9, 2012| publisher=The Verge| access-date=July 24, 2013| archive-date=May 18, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518081625/http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/9/3146777/windows-7-630-million-licenses-sold-enterprise-adoption| url-status=live}}

As with other Microsoft operating systems, Windows 7 was studied by United States federal regulators who oversee the company's operations following the 2001 United States v. Microsoft Corp. settlement. According to status reports filed, the three-member panel began assessing prototypes of the new operating system in February 2008. Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Jupiter Research, said, "[Microsoft's] challenge for Windows 7 will be how can they continue to add features that consumers will want that also don't run afoul of regulators."{{cite web|url = http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9068339&taxonomyId=14&intsrc=kc_top|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080423070835/http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9068339&taxonomyId=14&intsrc=kc_top|archive-date = April 23, 2008|title = Windows 7 eyed by antitrust regulators|access-date =March 19, 2008|last = Keizer|first = Gregg F.| date=March 2008 |website=Computerworld |publisher=IDG}}

In order to comply with European antitrust regulations, Microsoft proposed the use of a "ballot" screen containing download links to competing web browsers, thus removing the need for a version of Windows completely without Internet Explorer, as previously planned.{{cite web |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-propose-browser-ballot-screen-to-the-eu |title=Microsoft proposes 'Browser Ballot Screen' to the EU |first=Kevin |last=Weiner |date=July 24, 2009 |website=Neowin |access-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202235038/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-propose-browser-ballot-screen-to-the-eu |url-status=live }} Microsoft announced that it would discard the separate version for Europe and ship the standard upgrade and full packages worldwide, in response to criticism involving Windows 7 E and concerns from manufacturers about possible consumer confusion if a version of Windows 7 with Internet Explorer were shipped later, after one without Internet Explorer.{{cite web |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-scraps-windows-7-e-version-for-europe |title=Microsoft scraps Windows 7 'E' version for Europe |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=August 1, 2009 |website=Neowin |access-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921135447/http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-scraps-windows-7-e-version-for-europe |url-status=live }}

As with the previous version of Windows, an N version, which does not come with Windows Media Player, has been released in Europe, but only for sale directly from Microsoft sales websites and selected others.{{cite web|url=http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7/?WT.mc_id=MSCOMUK_HomePage_Buy_Windowstab|website=Microsoft Store|publisher=Microsoft|title=Online Windows 7 store page|location=UK|access-date=September 9, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919152921/http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7/?WT.mc_id=MSCOMUK_HomePage_Buy_Windowstab|archive-date=September 19, 2009}}

• BlueKeep, a security vulnerability discovered in May 2019 that affected most Windows NT–based computers up to Windows 7

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|title=Windows 7 Inside Out|first1=Ed|last1=Bott|first2=Carl|last2=Siechert|first3=Craig|last3=Stinson|isbn=978-0-7356-2665-2|publisher=Microsoft Press|location=Redmond, WA|year=2010|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/windows7insideou0000bott}}

{{Commons category|Microsoft Windows 7}}

• [https://support.microsoft.com/en-my/help/15090/windows-7-install-service-pack-1-sp1 Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)]
• [https://support.microsoft.com/en-my/help/4009469/windows-7-sp1-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1-update-history Windows 7 SP1 update history]

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{{Succession box

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| after = Windows 8

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Category:2009 software

Category:IA-32 operating systems

7

Category:X86-64 operating systems

Category:Products and services discontinued in 2020

Category:Microsoft Windows