Aside from changes to the look and feel, Windows 7 offers some other enhancements. The operating system seems to be much snappier and a better performer all around, probably due to code enhancements and bloat reduction. Solution providers will appreciate the speed of installation; most systems can go from install disk boot to fully running the operating system in under a half hour. Boot times are also improved, as well as the shutdown process.

Some other obvious changes come from the addition of Internet Explorer 8 and a revamped media player that is a vast improvement over previous versions. Notepad and WordPad have been redesigned to look more like Office applications and now feature the ribbon interface.

The operating system's low-calorie diet becomes a little more evident when browsing through the included applications. Gone are Windows Mail, Movie Maker, Messenger and a bunch of other minor applications. Not to worry, though, if you really need any of that, it will be available via a Windows Live download.

Solution providers will find that the oft-maligned Vista UAC (User Access Control) feature has been redesigned to give more control over when and where UAC intercedes during software installations, Web browsing or many other functions. Support personnel will appreciate the inclusion of Windows Troubleshooter, an application that can automatically diagnose and fix problems and accomplishes that much better than anything offered in the past.

All things considered, Windows 7 is very much a step in the right direction so far, and one could argue that it is what Vista should have been.

For the channel, Windows 7's arrival could fuel upgrades (if not hardware replacements) for those businesses that have been sticking with Windows XP or older versions of Windows. On the flip side, the anticipated improvements offered by Windows 7 may make those considering a Vista upgrade think twice, perhaps sabotaging upgrade plans in the works. Solution providers caught in that situation are going to have to convince customers that it will be easier to move to Windows 7 from Vista than from any other operating system. Hopefully, Microsoft will recognize that dilemma and offer free or very low-cost upgrades to those who adopt Vista now and move to Windows 7 upon general availability.

With many expecting Windows 7 to arrive by November 2009 (unofficially, of course), Microsoft will need to act now to empower the channel to build interest and offer an upgrade path that makes sense to customers and solution providers alike.