Broadbandindia Magazine

W indows 7 is the latest version of Microsoft Win dows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, notebooks, tablet PCs and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and general retail availability on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7’s server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time. Unlike its predecessor, who introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 is intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being fully compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multitouch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements. Some applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not included in Windows 7;some are instead offered separately as part of the free Windows Live Essentials suite.

Pricing in India

The world’s largest software maker Microsoft launched the ‘Windows 7’ operating system (OS) with a host of tools for multimedia applications for business and  retail customers. Smarting under the failure of its earlier operating system ‘Vista’, Windows 7 promises significant improvement in productivity levels, enhanced security, reduced risks and costs. PC makers HCL Infosystems, Acer and Hewlett Packard have started shipping Windows 7 pre-loaded PCs and notebook computers. HP India will retail Windows 7—preloaded PCs at Rs 27,990 to Rs 90,000, company Country Category Manager, Consumer Desktops, Personal Computers, Ketan Patel said. While, the preloaded Windows 7 notebooks will be priced at Rs 39,990 onwards, HP India Consumer Notebooks Category Manager Diptesh Ghosh said. At the same time, Acer PCs with Windows 7 OS will be priced between Rs 15,000 and Rs 35,000, while the notebooks will be priced at Rs 21,000—Rs 70,000, Acer Chief Sales Officer Harish Kohli said. HCL Infosystems’ Executive Vice President George Paul said HCL will price it between Rs 16,000 and Rs 55,000, and the notebooks would cost Rs 22,000 to Rs 80,000. The new version that comes in as many as six editions targeted at different segments has been priced accordingly. “We have launched Windows 7 in six editions, targeted at specific user groups and would be available on desktops, laptops and netbooks across the varied price range,” Microsoft India Chairman Ravi Venkatesan said.

Off-the-Shelf sale

Windows 7 that is available pre-loaded with PCs now can be bought off-the-shelf once the company receives the nod from Customs. Customs clearance is imminent, and the software would be available off-the-shelf as well, Venkatesan said. While the Home Basic package (off-the-shelf) could cost about Rs 5,800, Windows 7 Ultimate could cost Rs 11,000. A user can save about Rs 500-Rs 800 per desktop in terms of security features and power usage, Mr. Venkatesan believes. Sixteen Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will launch about 100 more models soon with Windows 7 OS installed, he added. The six editions launched are : Windows 7 Home Premium (for home consumers), Windows 7 Professional (for small and medium businesses), Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7  Home Basic (for emerging markets), Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate. With a host of new features in Windows 7 like Home Group, Play To, Windows Live Movie the new version aims to do away with flaws that hampered Vista sales. “These new features along with shorter booting (start-up) time, makes Windows 7 exciting for the consumers,” Venkatesan said. The new version is also equipped to handle multimedia functions better than its predecessor Vista. Industry analysts have already given a thumbs-up to the new operating system. However, some analysts believe the economic climate, which has hit sales of PCs globally, could in turn, impact sales of Windows 7.

Editions

To avoid running afoul of European antitrust regulations, Microsoft had chosen to ship Windows 7 without Internet Explorer in European Union member countries. It was also announced that the upgrade versions of Windows 7 would also not be available in Europe because of the possibility of needing additional testing for how upgrades would react to the versions without Internet Explorer. Microsoft also proposed to the European Commission allowing users to download a competing browser from a “ballot” screen instead of providing a version of Windows completely without Internet Explorer installed at all. 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, Microsoft announced that it would scrap the separate version for Europe and ship the standard upgrade and full packages worldwide.

However, in Europe, an N version, which does not come with Windows Media Player has been released, but only for sale directly from Microsoft sales websites and select others. Again, this is believed to have been done to please EU legislators under anti-trust reasoning. As it is priced at the same as the non-N versions, it is likely that sales will be low of this version, as the similar N-versions of Vista achieved. Rajan Anandan, managing director of Microsoft India, spoke on how the new product will help it attain the same position. Edited excerpts

Why is it that you launched Windows 7 just two years after Vista, which in turn was launched five years after XP?

The launch is in line with Microsoft’s commitment to releasing a new OS at periodic schedules, keeping in mind evolving technologies, lifestyles and business needs. Windows 7 is designed to be more reliable and responsive, delivering a simplified PC experience for consumers. Proactive engagement and feedback thereof with partners and consumers was fundamental to the development of Windows 7. It has helped deliver what is the highest quality OS in the history of Windows. In fact, we spend $9.5 billion annually on research and development. Over 90 per cent of testers from around the world have rated it as “good” or “extremely good” and consider Windows 7 to be responsive, simple to use and stable. It can work on devices whose prices range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1,50,000.

How many editions does Windows 7 have and what is the pricing?

Windows 7 is available in six editions, targeted at specific user groups and addressing all segments of the market. The two primary editions are: Windows 7 Home Premium for home consumers and Windows 7 Professional for small and medium sized businesses. Also available in the line-up are Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic (in Emerging Markets only), Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate. The six packs have been developed on the basis of segmentation of bands of consumers and their usage pattern. The prices range from Rs 5,800 for the Starter edition to Rs 11,000 for the Ultimate version.

What kind of response are you expecting?

We do expect some people to upgrade from XP and Vista to Windows 7, but it is early to assign a number to that. Most people, around 90 per cent, experience a new OS – in this case Windows 7 – during new purchases. People look for reasons to upgrade and this is a lighter form-factor and mobile. Moreover, we have introduced a consumer-friendly way around this by offering free updates to people who bought Windows after June 26. Affordability is another factor to be taken  into account.

Why should they do so?

With features such as Aero Shake, Peek, Snap, Jump Lists and a redesigned Windows Taskbar, Windows 7 is designed to become the control centre for all the media. One can do more with photos, music, movies and videos. There are innovative new features like HomeGroup, Play To, Windows Live Movie Maker and Remote Media Streaming in Windows 7. Besides Internet Explorer 8, there is also faster on-faster off Windows Touch. We have also provided BitLocker that helps ensure that sensitive data is protected across PCs and removable storage devices.

Over 600 new feature ideas for Windows 7 were tested through the largest beta testing programme in the history of the industry, with eight million testers worldwide. Direct access and location aware printing are the other unique features, as we have integrated Windows 7 with the Microsoft Cloud.

What about its availability?

Windows 7 is available at more than 45,000 retailers around the world and in India, all 16 PC manufacturers will bring in more than 100 different Windows 7 PCs within 30 days from today.

There was an issue with Customs clearance. Will it affect the availability?

We have to wait for some more time for custom clearances but that is not a major concern.

Upgrading from XP to Windows 7

Now that Windows 7 is here, the three out of four users who have rejected Windows Vista and clung to the tried and true Windows XP can breathe a sigh of relief and consider moving to the new flagship operating system. Upgrading or switching operating systems often comes with some trials and tribulations and the Windows 7 upgrade is no exception. Microsoft has tried to provide the tools users need to make the transition as easy as possible, but you may hit some snags. Here are five things you should be aware of as you upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.

1. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not provided Windows 7 with the capability to upgrade directly from Windows XP. The explanation is that so much has changed between Windows XP and Windows 7 within the operating system kernel itself, the Registry, the drivers, etc. that trying to get from Point A to Point B just won’t work. That isn’t as horrible as it sounds. Frankly, although in-place upgrades are convenient, experts always recommend doing a fresh install when moving to a new operating system in order to ensure the best performance and overall experience. Just think of it like Microsoft did you a favor by forcing you to do it the right way.

2. You can’t get from Windows XP to Windows 7 directly, but there was a little known operating system that came out between the two. Windows XP users can work around the upgrade issue if they have a copy of Windows Vista. It doesn’t even have to be licensed since you won’t be activating it and won’t have it loaded for more than a few hours— well within the 30-day trial period. Just upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista, then upgrade the Windows Vista system to Windows 7.

3. If you bought your printer when Clinton was still in office or your graphics card when Michael Jordan was still ruling the NBA, you might have a hard time finding software updates and drivers to make them work with Windows 7. Thankfully, Microsoft has an app for that. Microsoft created the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor tool which scans your hardware and software and identifies any known compatibility issues. It provides guidance on how to resolve identified issues, and makes recommendations for what you should do to ensure a satisfying Windows 7 upgrade experience.

4. Whether you do the clean install or some sort of crazy work-around to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7, arguably the most important part is making you’re your data and personal preferences stay intact. That’s where the Windows 7 Easy Transfer tool comes in. The actual file is you can find it on the Windows 7 DVD under First you run it on your existing Windows XP system to migrate your user profile(s) to some external storage. Then, after Windows 7 is installed you run it again to import the user profile(s) to Windows 7. One small caveat. If you have 32- bit Windows XP and you are taking the opportunity while upgrading to make the switch to 64-bit Windows 7 you might run into some problems.

5. If you’re running Windows XP it is assumed you have invested in some security software— antivirus, antispyware, personal firewall, etc. Because of changes that Microsoft has made to protect the operating system kernel, those Windows XP-era security programs will most likely not work in Windows 7. The good news is that the Windows 7 firewall is significantly better than the Windows XP firewall, and Microsoft provides adequate security protection for free with Windows Defender and the recently released Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus program. You may still want to explore alternatives and install more robust protection, but these tools should provide sufficient protection for the time being without costing you any money.

If you don’t want to spend all that time alone, maybe you could throw one of the Windows 7 parties and you and all of your Windows XP friends can have ice cream and cake (or pizza and beer) while you make the transition. Of course, you might better off to simply invest the extra money and get a whole new system with Windows 7 already installed. If you have held on to your computer hardware as long as you held onto the Windows XP operating system then you are really skewing Moore’s Law and its time you upgrade.