Microsoft demonstrates Windows 7 graphical interface

Microsoft showed the user interface of Windows 7 at a meeting for developers. The successor to Vista is very similar to its predecessor, but has a number of extensions.

At first glance, Windows 7 could easily be confused with Windows Vista. Apart from a slightly wider taskbar, the lack of the sidebar and minor changes to the system tray, there are few major differences. The demonstration however, given by Microsoft product manager Linda Averett at the Professional Developers Conference, it was clear that the user interface of Windows 7 differs from Vista in several respects.

For example, Windows 7 has so-called ‘jump lists’: by right-clicking on the taskbar, a list of recent documents appears. Windows 7 also makes it easier to arrange windows: Snap to side snaps windows to the edge of the desktop in a manner reminiscent of the Compiz Fusion interface for Linux. Tricks were also copied from Apple. When Windows 7 is operated with a touch interface, parts such as the jump lists become larger so that they can be used more easily with fingers.

The gadgets from the Sidebar are placed directly on the desktop in the new Windows. To make it available at all times, Windows 7 has an option called ‘peek into desktop’. This makes desktop items accessible through windows. The explorer has also been expanded: files can easily be added to Libraries, so that documents or photos that belong together can quickly be found in the relevant library. Sharing, including searching, of content on different computers within a network has also been improved. This allows media to be streamed from one PC to another. The latest improvements that Averett showed are available to try in Windows 7 beta 6933.winmain.081020-1842.