IT experts in Toronto got a preview Wednesday of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7, as well as its upgraded Windows server and Exchange email software, from CEO Steve Ballmer.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer speaks to IT professionals at the company's New Efficiency event in Toronto. (Microsoft)

Barely touching on the consumer launch of Windows 7, Ballmer directed his pitch at information-technology managers who have been reluctant to switch to Windows Vista, the previous version of the operating system that runs most of the world's PCs.

Ballmer said Vista is a good product, but "there was a lot of noise in the system, let's call it that, after our last launch."

The new version of the Windows operating system and computers running it go on sale Thursday, although it's been available to manufacturers since July and to more than eight million beta testers before that.

The rollout to corporate clients will continue in other Canadian cities over the next few weeks.

Speaking at the Westin Harbour Castle hotel in downtown Toronto, Ballmer was enthusiastic about the new personal and enterprise software coming from Microsoft.

"I'm bullish about the products we're launching today," he said.

"I like it because it's simpler," Ballmer said of Windows 7. "I like it because it's faster and more responsive."

Ballmer said every user he's talked to has "their own favourite feature."

"My new favourite feature is the improvement in wireless networking. I'm what they call a road warrior," he said.

Ballmer talked up the cost savings that businesses could expect by switching to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, which he said amounted to $191 per PC per year.

Windows 7 is the successor to Microsoft's Vista, launched in 2007 to mediocre reviews.

A 3D rendering of the Toronto skyline appears on a multi-touch computer running Microsoft Windows 7 and Virtual Earth. (CBC)

Vista, while offering some slick visual upgrades to the Windows XP system, had compatibility problems with some software and hardware and annoyed users with security warnings.

People who already had Windows XP computers weren't offered much incentive to upgrade, and sales of new computers slumped during Vista's tenure.

Some computer manufacturers lobbied to continue to sell computers, especially cheap, low-powered netbooks, with Windows XP.

Meanwhile, Apple's share of the personal computer operating system market inched ahead from 2.5 per cent to nearly 3.5 per cent since Vista was introduced.

When asked whether Windows users would eventually be forced to give up XP as an operation system, Ballmer replied, " 'Forced,' that's such a harsh word."

"You won't be forced. You'll get more and more excited about moving to Windows 7," he said, while acknowledging that Microsoft's support for Windows XP would eventually end, as it has for previous versions of Windows.

Ballmer said that any computer that runs Vista will would also run Windows 7, but some XP machines would have to be upgraded.

Other Microsoft representatives said that Windows 7 has been designed with low-powered computers, such as netbooks, in mind, and users could see improved performance and battery life over Windows XP.

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A history of Microsoft operating systems

(Compiled by Christine Peloquin, CBCnews.ca)