On the surface, Windows 7 looks a lot like Windows Vista. The Start Menu look and feel remains largely unchanged. However, when you dig a little deeper, it's clear that Windows 7 has a number of improvements to speed and usability. From the newly designed taskbar and menu systems that better suit the way people work.

In Windows 7 Aero snap and peek are just two features that eliminate some of old problems. Previous versions of Windows made it awkward to minimize, maximize and size windows on your screen. If you had many windows open it was also difficult to get a sense of what was in each window so you could pick the right one. We users adapted but knew there must be a better way.

Windows 7 is adding all kinds of new features to the Windows operating system. At the same time however, Microsoft has taken the time to update the interfaces of a couple of old standards, Wordpad and Paint. Both now sport the "ribbon" that was introduced in Office 2007. The ribbon gives both products a classy new interface and makes them easier to use.

Windows 7 improves upon Windows Vista's User Account Control or UAC, AKA those annoying windows that pop up seemingly every time you want to do... well, anything. In Windows 7 Microsoft has listened to the people so you can configure your security to be the way you want it to be.

Windows 7 gives you several options to control how much power your system uses. You can create Power Plans and decide when your monitor shuts off and when your computer sleeps. You can also decide what the power button does when it's pressed. Windows 7 gives you the ability to change options from the menu on the left-hand side or from within the dialog.

Every version of Windows has had the taskbar, and Windows 7 is no different. The taskbar had certain uses, but it wasn't always useful enough. In Windows 7 all that has changed. The taskbar is bigger, sexier, and it provides functions that your old Windows taskbar could only dream of. The taskbar in Windows 7 is extremely useful and you have control over how it works.

Networking has been available in Windows for quite some time, but in Windows 7 HomeGroups makes sharing things easy. With HomeGroups you'll be able to share documents, printers, folders, and lots more. HomeGroups is easy-to-use and very easy to set up. It quickly connects the computers in your home and the devices and files you want to share.

Windows 7 has a great new feature for those cluttered desktops. Many of use are plagued by having too many windows open on our desktops. Sometimes, even with two monitors, it can be a mess to navigate through, especially if you have to go around minimizing all those windows. Not with Windows 7. Just give the program you want a shake and viola! Shake control is a small addition in Windows 7 that could make a big difference.

Windows 7 is the latest evolution of Windows. The evolution of Windows has meant that new things have been tried out and added over the years. Some caught on, others weren't so lucky. Over time one would hope that we learn better and more efficient ways to do things. With Windows 7 it seems like Microsoft has been paying attention and really has made Windows 7 easier than ever before to use.

While it's apparent that Windows 7 is built upon the foundations of Vista, it goes well beyond the Vista operating system. New Aero additions like Snap and Peek, the new desktop-clearing Shake feature, the completely redesigned taskbar, new Jump Lists and more make Windows 7 an operating system worth waiting for, by the looks of things.