Microsoft Hardware today announced that its current line of mice, keyboards, LifeCams, gaming devices and notebook accessories will be fully compatible with Windows 7 once the operating system is launched to retail customers on Oct. 22, 2009.

Microsoft Hardware will launch several new features for Windows 7 in the coming months for its peripherals; the first of which is a timesaving feature called Taskbar Favorites that gives Microsoft keyboard users a smart way to access their most frequently used programs and documents. Taskbar Favorites will map to the location of applications on the improved Windows taskbar. The applications in the taskbar can be rearranged just by clicking and dragging, and Taskbar Favorites will automatically adapt to the applications? new locations. Additional new benefits of the Microsoft Hardware and Windows 7 connection include the following:

- Device Stage. Microsoft Hardware mouse and keyboard products will support Device Stage, a Windows 7 feature that gives customers quick access to common tasks, including product information, registration, settings and more for popular device categories such as cell phones, cameras, printers, portable media players and input devices.

- Windows Flip. Microsoft mouse and keyboard users can easily see a thumbnail preview of all open windows with the press of a button. A full-screen preview of the application will automatically display, enabling the user to better identify and select the desired application.

- Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery. LifeCam users will be able to do more with photos and movies. With Movie Maker they can start a movie project with one click, and then upload video to social networking sites. Photo Gallery access will enable them to easily upload a photo that they can edit, tag and share with friends and family.

Hardware products tested under Microsoft specifications for compatibility with the new operating system will display a Windows 7 logo on the product.

Beta versions of Microsoft mouse, keyboard, controller and webcam software are available now for Windows 7. Final versions of product software, which include Taskbar Favorites, Device Stage, Windows Flip, Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery, will be available June 26 for mice and keyboards and July 31 for LifeCam products.