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A customer takes a new Windows 7 software in a store in Rosenheim, southern Germany, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Microsoft Corp. put a new edition of Windows on sale Thursday, hoping for a fresh start after a bad reception for the previous version of the software that runs most of the world's personal computers.

Your computer » Microsoft Corp. finally got its chance to reboot its reputation Thursday, launching a new edition of Windows that it hopes will encourage more PC buyers to get back into stores. The company released the system with uncharacteristic fanfare and advertising. Why is Microsoft pulling out all of the stops to create a positive buzz for Windows 7?

IT'S NOT VISTA » Microsoft hopes people like Windows 7 much more than Vista, which was slow and didn't work well with existing programs and devices. Microsoft fixed many of Vista's flaws, but it was too late to repair perceptions. Many businesses avoided Vista altogether, preferring to keep using Windows XP, an operating

A look at the packaging for Windows 7 is shown. (AP Photo/Microsoft Corp., file)
system that is now 8 years old.

IT'S EASIER » Windows 7 promises to boot up faster and reduce the clicks needed to get common tasks done. Microsoft has cut some redundant ways to start programs and added flourishes that can help users keep track of their open windows. It promises to put computers into sleep mode and wake them faster, too.

IT'S MORE TRANSPARENT » Windows 7 is also meant to be "quieter" -- with fewer pop-up boxes, notifications, warnings and "are you sure ..." messages. Instead, many of those messages get stashed in a single place for the user to address when it's convenient.

IT'S CHEAPER ... MOSTLY » There are three versions of Windows 7 (Home, Professional

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and Ultimate), and different pricing based on what version of Windows you're upgrading from. While figuring out your price requires a slide rule, the average user will pay $120 for a Home Premium upgrade or $200 for the full version. A bonus: If you're a student, Microsoft will set you up with a copy for only $30.

Staff and wire reports