Since the end of 2008, Microsoft has been promoting its much anticipated Windows 7 operating system. After a technical pre-beta for developers, a Release Candidate (RC) has now been made available for enthusiasts who enjoy trying out pre-release software.

So after a mixed reaction to Windows Vista, will its successor, which is due for general release later this year, prove any more successful in wooing UK businesses?

Windows Touch

Among the new features of Windows 7, the most spectacular promises to be its Windows Touch user interface. This new support for multi-touch technology will offer users new ways of interacting with their PCs such as zooming in on images by simply moving two fingers further apart on the screen. Indeed several people could control images at once using the same screen, opening up new possibilities for collaborative working.

From an ergonomic viewpoint, Windows Touch will require Microsoft to modify its Start menu, review its taskbars and increase the size of icons. The software giant is due to launch a development kit to assist in the writing of “touch ready” applications as well as tools for manufacturers of PCs and mobile devices wishing to use this new interface.

Direct access to your business systems and home networking

Microsoft is also planning “Direct Access” for professional users which will enable a direct connection via IPv6 between the PC - wherever that may be - and the company’s server. In a similar vein but for home users, Windows 7 will also incorporate a feature called “Homegroup” which will facilitate the sharing of multimedia data between all of a family’s PCS and mobile devices.

'Lighter' online versions of Word and Excel

Microsoft has also announced that Office 14 is to be launched at the same time at Windows 7. This next version of Microsoft Office will include Office Web applications that will help improve productivity and enhance the desktop experience by enabling people to access, create, edit, share and collaborate on Office documents across multiple devices.

Based on the same principle as Outlook Web Access, these online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote will enable users to work from anywhere although these web versions may have reduced features.