The multilicense bundle isn't Microsoft's only move: In Windows 7 the company has made networking home PCs and sharing their files and folders much simpler. Whether you need to connect to the network, to share printers and resources, to access and play music, or to do anything else across the network, Windows 7 makes the entire process more seamless and intuitive than it was in either or .

In Windows 7, Microsoft has improved the Network and Sharing Center (introduced in Windows Vista) to provide greater functionality and make it the go-to place for managing all aspects of network connectivity.

The Network and Sharing Center--which is available in the Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions--allows you to find new networks and create new network connections, verify connection status, and troubleshoot network connectivity issues.

At the top is a visual representation of the current connection; you'll also find a link that displays the full map of your network, visually. If you lose your connection, the graphic will show the broken connection so that you can easily identify which portion is down.