Windows 7 may be the first Microsoft OS to live up to expectations in years. Microsoft has revised core functions while streamlining the interface. A quick look at Windows 7 shows Microsoft is prepared to address the criticisms leveled against Vista and ensure that Windows 7 is not just a reactionary product.
The interface may be the feature that garners the most interest from the average user. Windows 7 has a redesigned taskbar, one eerily reminiscent of the Mac OS application dock. The Start Button is still located on the extreme left side of the taskbar and it opens up a Vista-style Start Menu. Launching a program will place its icon on the taskbar for the entire time the application is running. Right-clicking the icon presents the typical options to minimize and close, as well as a new option to pin the program to the taskbar. Any Mac OS X user will instantly see the similarities between Window 7’s taskbar and Mac OS X’s dock has screen shots of Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) for a visual of Mac OS X’s dock. Windows 7 screen shots are coming soon as well.
Microsoft has also taken care to streamline the number of clicks to set any preferences on the system. Accessing the Control Panel can still be accomplished by clicking the Start Button, Control Panel. Alternatively, Windows 7 does a great job of placing links to the Control Panel in areas of the OS that could require a tweak to the system settings. Once in the Control Panel, the process of finding a specific setting is fairly painless. The Control Panel categories have been refined and the classic view provides direct access to options the veteran Windows user has come to expect.
User Account Control will still be present in Windows 7, but its presence will not be as annoying or obvious as in Vista. There will be process and commands that require authentication, but the persistent “are you really sure you want to do this” prompts stop with Vista. UAC will primarily function in the background and come to the surface only to confirm major changes and application installs.
Windows 7 may be the best Windows operating system ever. Microsoft has promised a lot of enhanced features with Windows 7. Expectations are high, and to meet them, Microsoft will need to put in some long nights of work. The average consumer wants a seamless experience that simply works. The average power user wants more non-intrusive security and better software compatibility. If Microsoft can do both, Windows 7 will not just meet expectations, it will surpass them.
