Pros
* improved taskbar - larger icons, placeable taskbar icon order, preview and full-screen preview before switching to window
* Jump Lists - see the files you've used recently by right-clicking on the icon on your taskbar. you can pin files to the jump list.
* new ways to work with windows - maximize by dragging window border to top of screen, restore by dragging away from top of screen, drag bottom border of window to expand it vertically. compare windows by dragging to left and right sides of screen: each window will fill 1/2 the screen. to see the desktop gadgets by making all windows transparent, drag mouse to lower right corner of desktop.
* Internet Explorer 8 - this does not have support for SVG, though few sites use it at this point (Jan 19, 2009).
* Windows Live - some features previously included in the OS are now available for download through Windows Live Essentials
* device mgmt - single Devices and Printers screen to connect to them. Device Stage goes further with device mgmt (status, run common tasks.
* Home Networking through HomeGroup. minimum 2 PC's running windows 7. go to Network and Sharing Center to choose what you share.
* faster - starts up, shuts down, resumes from standby faster,
* extended battery life - things like adaptive display brightness.
* theme packages
* levels of UAC control (as compared to Vista's 1 way of doing things for alerts.
* native support for SSD's
* Share music and videos
* touch screen support
* handwriting recognition support - math expressions, etc.
* you can drag icons to the taskbar to make a "quick-launch" icon for it.
* touchscreen-oriented
* new toolbar, windows 7 users like it better than previous toolbar
* You don't have to download Windows Media Player, it's built in now. However, there may be later upgrades to Windows Media Player (later versions, like there was for XP).
* sticky notes. Start, type in sticky
* access Netflix in Windows Media Center. if it isn't enabled, Tasks, Settings, General, Auto Download Options to install.
* enhanced calculator. 4 modes: standard, scientific, programmer, statistics. unit conversion. mortgate payments.
* Device stage. simplifies device handling. devices appear as pictures of the device. window can be minimized to the taskbar.
* Problem Steps Recorder. records your steps in HTML what you are trying to do so you can email to tech support. Start, type in PSR
* adjustable UAC - slider
* use checkboxes instead of control-click to select multiple files
* you can run Windows XP Mode, I think it's a version of Virtual PC which thinks it's XP and runs on windows 7. best of both worlds. it's available from either the start menu or via download at microsoft.com. FAQ.
Cons
* no more Quick Launch Toolbar - however, it is said by those who use it that the new taskbar is much better. so this may be an irrelevant con. but wait - you can make one - maybe. but read the comments before you try. Microsoft, I still think this is a mistake.
* no more small icons for the taskbar? (someone check please) wasted space. touchscreen-oriented. All the videos I have seen about windows 7 have large icons on taskbar. I am almost sure the size is configurable like it is in XP. I don't think Microsoft would do that to us. So this may be an invalid con.
* It is still quite possible that the Run menu item is still gone from the Start menu, given that it was disabled by default in Vista. Regardless, you should still be able to run items using windows-logo-flag-key+R. The Windows logo key looks like a little flag. Unless you are one of those who used it on a regular basis in XP, you would not know it was gone. But when you need it (usually in a crunch), you really need it. You can get it back by right-clicking on the Start menu|Properties|Customize|Advanced. search for "Run command" and make sure it is checked. You can do the same thing with Vista.
* the big Windows 7 books I read say that Windows 7 upgrade is not a wise idea, and to go with windows 7-certified systems and 7-certified hardware. Of course, It is also been arguable over the years that no upgrade is a good idea. But in this case, the Output Protection Manager in Vista and 7 will de-focus/down-resolution (fuzz up) your non-compliant video, audio, and network communications such as skype. I couldn't get Microsoft to get rid of that feature. The Output Protection Manager also disables SPDIF IN if I am not mistaken - motherboard manufacturers simply don't even include an in port. So if you are planning on doing SPDIF stuff, get an XP machine and appropriate sound card.
* many vendors who sell high-end machines put the OS on an SSD. This is a mistake. Be aware that Program Files and the Users folder always resides on the OS drive and the OS drive cannot be changed except during OS installation. As a developer, I curre