Windows 7 is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems

produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business
desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs.[4] Windows 7 was released
to manufacturing on July 22, 2009,[5] and reached general retail availability on October
22, 2009,[6] 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, Windows Vista, which introduced a large number of new features,
Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line,
with the goal of being compatible with applications and hardware which Windows Vista
wasn't at the time.[7] Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch
support, a redesigned Windows shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a
home networking system called HomeGroup,[8] and performance improvements. Some
standard 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;[9][10] most are instead offered separately at
no charge as part of the Windows Live Essentials suite.[11]

6.1[1] (build 7600.16385.090713-1255[2])current version

(22 October 2009; 10 months ago) (info)

Hardware requirements

Recent PCs meeting the minimum hardware requirements or that run Windows 7 feature
this sticker

Microsoft has published the minimum specifications for a system to run Windows 7.[112]
Requirements for the 32-bit version are similar to that of premium editions of Vista, but
are higher for 64-bit versions. Microsoft has released an upgrade advisor that determines
if a computer is compatible with Windows 7.

Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7[112]

Architecture 32-bit 64-bit
Processor 1 GHz 32-bit processor 1 GHz 64-bit processor
Memory (RAM) 1 GB 2 GB
Graphics Card DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver model 1.0 (For Aero)
HDD free space 16 GB of free disk space 20 GB of free disk space
Optical drive DVD drive (only to install from DVD/CD Media)
Physical memory limits
Maximum limits on physical memory (RAM) that Windows 7 can address vary
depending on both the Windows version and between 32-bit and 64-bit versions.[114] The
following table specifies the maximum physical memory limits supported:

Physical memory limits for Windows 7 versions[114]

Version Limit in 32-bit Windows Limit in 64-bit Windows
Windows 7 Ultimate 4 GB 192 GB
Windows 7 Enterprise 4 GB 192 GB
Windows 7 Professional 4 GB 192 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB
Windows 7 Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB
Windows 7 Starter 2 GB N/A