Windows 7 Features: Performance, Windows Search, and Libraries

Jul 15 2009, 7:24am CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Yesterday I looked at a few of the new features in Windows 7. We talked yesterday about Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Home Group. Today we are going to look at a few more features of Windows 7. Today also marks the first pre-order sales for the operating system and sales have already been better than they were for Windows Vista.

Windows Live Essentials
The first of the features we are going to talk about today is the integration of Windows Live Essentials. This is free software that Microsoft offers for instant messaging, photo gallery and email. Other software includes Writer, Moviemaker, and family safety which allows parents to monitor kid's activity online. None of this software is brand new, it has been available for a while now for Vista, but is integrated into Windows 7 as well.

Windows Search
Windows Search is a new search feature for PC users. The search results returned for a query include relevant documents, email, pictures, music, and more. The content is also grouped into category and keywords are highlighted for easy scanning. The search feature will also search external storage, networked PCs, and libraries.

Libraries
Libraries in Windows 7 allows users to find and work with files that are scattered across the network or your PC. The Library puts all the content you want in one place no matter where it is stored. So if you work with a file that lives on a computer upstairs you can still access it right along side your personal local files without having to access a mapped drive or your network to do so.

Performance Improvements
Key to Windows 7 is performance improvements that help make working and living with the OS easier. Microsoft says that it has improved the Sleep functionality to allow the machine to wake up faster and reconnect to wireless networks more quickly. One of the key improvements in the performance of Windows 7 is that it runs less background processes. The massive number of background processes that Vista ran was one of the reasons the OS consumed so much RAM. Microsoft says that in Windows 7 if you aren't using Bluetooth, the process doesn't run in the background.

Windows 7 also introduces new power management features that are designed to help laptops run longer. The OS runs fewer background processes so the CPU needs less power and the DVD playback function was optimized for less power. Other power saving features includes turning off unused ports, automatic screen dimming, and a more accurate battery indicator.

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Shane McGlaun
Leading our review center, Shane McGlaun (Google) knows technology inside out. His extensive experience in testing computer hardware and consumer electronics enable him to effectively qualify new products and trends. If you want us review your product, please contact Shane.
Shane can be contacted directly at shane@i4u.com.

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