• Windows 7 has met with a much better reception than its predecessor, Windows Vista, likely because Microsoft listened to users and fixed the elements users had problems with in Vista. Of course, the user interface is still largely the same in Windows 7, including some of the annoying security pop-ups. Like Vista, Windows 7 also comes in several editions with differing feature levels. Windows 7 Ultimate is the most robust edition, as it includes several features not found in the lower editions, and the advanced features offered in Windows 7 Ultimate may make even the most committed Windows XP user consider making the switch.
  
  

Bitlocker and Bitlocker to Go

• Bitlocker in an encryption program that can be used to secure disk drives and partitions on a Windows 7 Ultimate system. In order to access or decrypt the information, the user must provide a password. In order to encrypt a drive, the user just has to right-click on the drive or partition, select "Turn on Bitlocker" from the drop-down menu, and select an unlock method. Bitlocker is included only in the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows 7, which will cause problems if you encrypt a portable drive and try to use it one of the lower level editions.
  
  

DirectAccess

• For many remote workers, who have to mange (or lose) security tokens that facilitate Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to their offices, DirectAccess is a welcome feature. DirectAccess uses IP Version 6 (IPv6) and IPsec to encrypt a communication link over the Internet from the remote worker to the DirectAccess server. DirectAccess support requires Windows Server 2008 on the office side of the link.
  
  

Full Milti-language Support

• Windows 7 allows for support and use of multiple languages on the same computer, meaning you can even work in two languages at the same time on the same machine. This is a boon for support personnel, who can create a single image of the Windows 7 OS, and deploy it to their offices around the globe, saving the company money on client support.
  
  

AppLocker

• AppLocker allows system administrators to use Group Policy to specify which applications each user is allowed to run. AppLocker uses "publisher rules" based on the digital signature of an application to build rule sets that manage multiple versions of an application, while still allowing for updates to those versions. As with the full language support feature above, AppLocker can significantly reduce support costs and licensing costs.