As people become increasingly computer-savvy, they expect more from the technology they use at work. They expect to be able to work from home, from branch offices, and on the road, all without a decrease in productivity. As their needs have grown, so have the demands placed on IT professionals, who are being asked to deliver new capabilities and support greater flexibility, while continuing to reduce risk and minimize costs.

With Windows 7, you can meet diverse needs in a way that's more manageable. Enhanced security and control reduce the risk associated with data on lost PCs or external hard disk drives. Streamlined PC management means it takes less work to deploy Windows 7 and keep it running smoothly. And because Windows 7 is based on the Windows Vista foundation, companies that have already deployed Windows Vista will find that Windows 7 is highly compatible with existing hardware, software, and tools.

Windows 7 is designed to be the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Microsoft has focused on helping your PC perform the way you want it to -- quickly, easily, and with less effort. Although many of the new improvements are under the covers, Windows 7 also includes many more visible enhancements that will help you play with, work with, and manager your PC.

In other words, Windows 7 works the way you want it to.

• Case Study: 12:34 MicroTechnologies - microsoft.com (October 2009)
• Case Study: 12:34 MicroTechnologies/AES - microsoft.com (July 2009)

1. Get quicker access to all of your stuff. - Use Pin and Jump Lists to keep the programs and files you use the most right at your fingertips. Pin programs to the taskbar. Pin files to Jump Lists. Just like tacking notes on a bulletin board, you can use pin to keep the things you need close at hand. Got a file, photo, or website you use a lot? Open it in two clicks. Jump Lists keep the most recent things you've used handy for faster access than ever.

2. Manage open windows more easily. - Resize and arrange windows by simply dragging their borders to the edges of your screen. Size and arrange windows by simply dragging their borders to the edges of your screen. Instantly expand to full screen and back, or arrange two windows side by side.

3. Quickly find what you’re looking for. - Use Windows Search to find a specific file, program, or e-mail in a few seconds. Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC, from documents to emails to songs, right from the Start menu just by typing a word or two.

4. Share files and printers among multiple PCs. - From one Windows 7-based PC to another, you can share files, music, photos, and even printers across your home network. Easily share the photos, music, and files on each of the PCs running Windows 7 on your home network. It's especially handy when you want to share a printer.

5. Stay entertained effortlessly. - With Windows Media Center you get one place to enjoy your photos and music, watch and record live TV, and watch free Internet TV. Record TV. Watch Internet TV. Watch DVD's. Enjoy online entertainment. Play your music and watch your videos and slideshows. It's all here.

6. Easily create and share movies. - Create great looking movies and slideshows and share them on YouTube in minutes. This collection of free programs puts the Internet in your hands. Share photos. Make movies. Send instant messages and mail. Quick and easy.

7. Connect to networks easily. - View and connect to any available wireless network in as few as three clicks. On the go? Find and connect to Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, VPN, or dial-up networks with just a couple clicks.

8. Do more and wait less. - Improvements that can accelerate sleep and resume and make your PC more responsive help you get more done. Windows 7 is designed to help your PC sleep and resume more quickly. It's easier to put your PC away and to get back to what you were doing when you're ready. Windows 7 is designed to improve the performance of your PC, so it's faster, more secure, and more reliable.

9. Touch and tap rather than point and click. - Windows 7 makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use. Ever wish you could just point at what you want and move things around with your hand? With a touch-sensitive screen and Windows 7, you can.

10. Manage devices more easily. - Manage printers, cameras, music players, and other devices from a single, consistent, place. See everything you need to know about your printers, cameras, and other devices in one place. And, your devices are much simpler to hook up and use.