Windows® 7 Secrets®

Read This First

In This Chapter

• Discovering that, yes, Windows 7 really is that good

• Taking a quick tour of new and improved Windows 7 features

• Looking at the products and services that complete the Windows 7 experience

• Continuing your exploration of Windows 7 on the Web

Well, it's here. Windows 7 is Microsoft's latest desktop operating system, and while that's notable on its own, this time around Microsoft appears to have really gotten it right. With Windows Vista, those in the know fought an uphill battle trying to convince people that it wasn't as horrible as pundits and know-nothing bloggers claimed. But Windows 7 is different. This time around, Microsoft has tweaked, prodded, and improved virtually every single aspect of the OS, and as a result the Windows Vista goose has evolved into the Windows 7 swan. Despite sharing common underpinnings, Windows 7 is perceived to be dramatically superior to Windows Vista. And that opinion is nearly universal: all those clowns that were falling over each other to out-criticize Windows Vista now can't compliment Windows 7 enough. For once, they may be on to something: Windows 7 is the best OS to come out of Redmond in a long, long time. And in this initial chapter, we'll try to explain why that is so.

Believe the Hype

Virtually everywhere you look, the reviews are positive. With Windows 7, Microsoft has finally provided a technically excellent and lust-worthy desktop OS. It's "Vista done right." It's an apology for the mistakes of its predecessor, ...