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+## Reception
+Windows 7 was largely met with critical acclaim and strong user adoption, especially when compared to its predecessor, [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista). Reviewers praised its improved [Performance](/wiki/Performance), enhanced user interface, greater stability, and faster boot times. It was seen as a significant refinement of the Windows experience, addressing many of Vista's shortcomings. Its ease of use and compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software contributed to its widespread popularity, quickly making it one of the most successful versions of [Windows](/wiki/Windows).
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-Development for Windows 7 began before the release of [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista), initially under the codenames "Blackcomb" and "Vienna." The primary goal was to improve upon Vista's performance and user experience, addressing many of the criticisms leveled against it. The development focused on incremental improvements, a new taskbar, and better [Performance](/wiki/Performance) and [Reliability](/wiki/Reliability).
+Development for Windows 7 began before the release of [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista), initially under the codenames "Blackcomb" and "Vienna."
+**Blackcomb** was the ambitious successor to [Windows XP](/wiki/Windows_XP), initially planned for release in 2000s, featuring advanced data storage systems (WinFS), a new user interface, and fundamental architectural changes. However, its ambitious scope led to significant delays. Microsoft eventually scaled back Blackcomb, leading to the creation of an interim release, codenamed **Longhorn** (which eventually became [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista)).
+After Longhorn's troubled development and subsequent simplification, Microsoft refocused its efforts. The codename **Vienna** then emerged, picking up many of the features originally envisioned for Blackcomb but re-evaluated for practicality and performance. Vienna aimed to address the criticisms of [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista) by focusing on improving [Performance](/wiki/Performance), [Reliability](/wiki/Reliability), and user experience, rather than introducing revolutionary new features. The goal was an incremental, high-quality release.
+Ultimately, Vienna was officially named Windows 7. Its development focused on refining the [Windows Aero](/wiki/Windows_Aero) interface, improving the taskbar (Superbar), enhancing multimedia capabilities, and making the [Operating System](/wiki/Operating_System) more efficient and user-friendly. The development process emphasized user feedback and a modular approach, allowing for faster development and more stable releases.
+- [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista)
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+### Memory Limits
+While the minimum [RAM](/wiki/RAM) was modest, Windows 7 editions had limits on supported physical memory:
+- **32-bit Editions**: Generally supported a maximum of 4 GB of [RAM](/wiki/RAM).
+- **64-bit Editions**: Supported significantly higher amounts, ranging from 8 GB for Starter edition up to 192 GB for Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.
+### Processor Limits
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+## System Requirements
+To run Windows 7, a computer typically needed to meet the following minimum specifications:
+- **[CPU](/wiki/CPU)**: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
+- **[RAM](/wiki/RAM)**: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
+- **[Storage](/wiki/Storage)**: 16 GB available disk space for 32-bit or 20 GB for 64-bit
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-- [Software](/wiki/Software)
+## Editions
+Windows 7 was released in six main retail editions, each targeting different market segments and offering varying feature sets.
+- **Starter**: Designed for netbooks and emerging markets, this edition had the most limited feature set, lacking [Aero Glass](/wiki/Aero_Glass), multi-monitor support, and certain customization options.
+- **Home Basic**: Available in emerging markets, this edition offered more features than Starter but still lacked the full [Aero Glass](/wiki/Aero_Glass) interface and some advanced networking capabilities.
+- **Home Premium**: The primary edition for home users, it included the full [Aero Glass](/wiki/Aero_Glass) experience, [Windows Media Center](/wiki/Media_Center), [Multi-touch](/wiki/Multi-touch) support, and improved media features.
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+
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+## Features
+Windows 7 introduced numerous enhancements and new functionalities while also refining existing ones compared to [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista), focusing on user experience, performance, and addressing user feedback.
+### New and Improved Features
+- **Redesigned [Taskbar](/wiki/Taskbar) (Superbar)**: The taskbar received a significant overhaul, featuring larger icons, the ability to pin applications directly, and [Jump Lists](/wiki/Jump_Lists) for quick access to recent files and common tasks specific to each application.
+- **[Aero Peek](/wiki/Aero_Peek)**: Users could quickly preview their desktop by hovering over the far right end of the taskbar, making open windows transparent.
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-Throughout its lifecycle, Windows 7 received several important updates to enhance its functionality, security, and performance. The most significant of these was **[Service Pack 1](/wiki/Service_Pack)** (SP1), released in February 2011, which bundled previously released security updates, hotfixes, and minor improvements. A **Platform Update** was later released, bringing improvements to DirectX, graphics, and display technologies. In 2016, Microsoft also released a **Convenience Rollup** for Windows 7 SP1, which consolidated many post-SP1 updates into a single package to simplify installation.
+Throughout its lifecycle, Windows 7 received several important updates to enhance its functionality, security, and performance. The most significant of these was **[Service Pack 1](/wiki/Service_Pack)** (SP1), released in February 2011, which bundled previously released security updates, hotfixes, and minor improvements. A **Platform Update** was later released, bringing improvements to [DirectX](/wiki/DirectX), graphics, and display technologies. In 2016, Microsoft also released a **Convenience Rollup** for Windows 7 SP1, which consolidated many post-SP1 updates into a single package to simplify installation. From October 2016, Microsoft transitioned to a **Monthly Rollup** model, combining all non-security and security updates into a single cumulative update. Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended in January 2015, and extended support officially concluded on January 14, 2020.
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+## Updates
+Throughout its lifecycle, Windows 7 received several important updates to enhance its functionality, security, and performance. The most significant of these was **[Service Pack 1](/wiki/Service_Pack)** (SP1), released in February 2011, which bundled previously released security updates, hotfixes, and minor improvements. A **Platform Update** was later released, bringing improvements to DirectX, graphics, and display technologies. In 2016, Microsoft also released a **Convenience Rollup** for Windows 7 SP1, which consolidated many post-SP1 updates into a single package to simplify installation.
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+## Development
+Development for Windows 7 began before the release of [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista), initially under the codenames "Blackcomb" and "Vienna." The primary goal was to improve upon Vista's performance and user experience, addressing many of the criticisms leveled against it. The development focused on incremental improvements, a new taskbar, and better [Performance](/wiki/Performance) and [Reliability](/wiki/Reliability).
#13 months ago
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Migrated from pages table
+Windows 7 was a popular [Operating System](/wiki/Operating_System) released by Microsoft in 2009. It offered a refined user experience and improved stability compared to its predecessor, [Windows Vista](/wiki/Windows_Vista), becoming a widely adopted platform.
+## See also
+- [Microsoft](/wiki/Microsoft)
+- [Windows](/wiki/Windows)
+- [Software](/wiki/Software)
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