Introduction to Operating Systems and Windows 7

Since Windows 7 is an operating system, I will start off by giving an overview of what an operating systems is. Simply put, an operating systems is a program that manages the programs on a computer. This interface is the first thing that is seen when a computer is booted. The operating system also acts as a host for applications on the computer. An OS does many various tasks, such as determining which applications should run in what order and how much time should be allowed for each application before giving another application a turn, managing the sharing of internal memory among multiple applications, handling input and output to and from attached hardware devices, and keeping track of files and directories on the disk. The five most common operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Solaris, and BSD. Of these five Microsoft owns most of the market share for most of the personal computers.

Windows 7 was developed by Microsoft and is the successor to Windows Vista which was released in 2007. Currently Windows 7 has been debuted as a beta to test its functionality and gain feedback from users, and is expected to be released in full sometime in 2010. Originally Windows 7 was codenamed Blackcomb, but in 2006 developers changed the name to Vienna. Finally, in 2007, Microsoft decided on a name of Windows 7 because Microsoft claims it is their seventh OS system.

Windows 7, was intended to improve on the often crtitized Windows Vista. Although 7 is actually like Windows Vista on the back end, but it boasts a more user friendly operating system as well as improved overall performance.