The preview version of Microsoft’s Windows 7 was presented at PDC in Los Angeles earlier this week. Basically, Windows 7 by Microsoft is an upgrade or extension to Vista. Theoretically speaking, Windows 7 is the result of amendments and improvements done in Vista, which could not impress the users due to its dysfunctions.

Let us now focus on the features of Windows 7. The users would notice the changes done in the interface design that are mostly concentrated on functionality. Other than this, a new taskbar for one has also been added, which has been created by the maker of the Office Ribbon in Office 2007, Steven Sinofski.

Though this new taskbar would not be displayed, it will provide large thumbnails icons, full-screen application preview on mouse hover, and a nifty feature called jump lists, which are smart context menus that show key functions of the application you clicked on and a list of files recently opened with that application. To support this, the users will have to code the app. Furthermore, the taskbar’s system tray is now customizable that will let the users to set the level and numbers of notifications they get.

In the field of window management too, Microsoft has done some additions. By hovering the mouse over the Show Desktop control, windows can now be made transparent. The users can even snap the windows to the side of the screen. The company has also removed the sidebars which were present in Vista and now the gadgets appear on the desktop.

Those who have got the facility of multi-touch displays can even operate Windows 7 by touch. Gestures like flicks and pinches control the scrolling and the zooming part. The one fault in the system is its small icons. However, the company has got a lot of time to fix it, as till now there has only been a preview of Windows 7.

“Windows 7 will run faster than Vista on the same hardware, and consume less power (which results in longer battery life), and that it will be more stable,” reported the company. “There’s also an improved Wireless Network manager which allows you to more easily connect to Wi-Fi access points in the area. Windows Firewall now has multiple profiles that you can set for home, work, and public networks,” added Microsoft.