Analysts said Windows 7 not only addresses Vista's most annoying quirks, but also adds nifty new features like the ability to keep all the movies, photos and documents on someone's computer in one library. It also offers easier home networking and more intuitive support for devices like digital cameras.

Among other features that are likely to please consumers, Windows 7 is designed to boot up much faster than Windows Vista. It also enables computers to respond to gestures, like the iPhone, whether a person uses a mouse or their finger, depending on the type of computer screen. This means people can literally play a piano keyboard or spin a globe on their computer screen.

Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group called Windows 7 a "maintenance release" rather than a full-blown rewrite of the operating system, which he said was a good thing.