*Official * Windows 7 Thread

[Respital]

Judging by the amount of threads being created to do with Windows 7, i'm making an official thread to make it less congested.

Windows 7 Will Not Sway XP Users

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/37956

Hands-On with Windows 7

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/fea...with_windows_7


Windows 7 Public Beta Released

Source: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new..._beta_released

Here's some breaking news: At the Microsoft CES Keynote, Steve Ballmer has just announced the launch of the Windows 7 Public beta. Customers of Technet and MSDN can get the beta right away (if you hadn't already been tempted by the various leaks) while the rest of us will have to wait until 2 days from now to snag the trial OS.

In his keynote address, Ballmer stressed that Windows 7 will provide faster performance, longer battery life, faster boot times, and a less obnoxious security alert system. Early reports from people who have tried the beta seem to back these claims up, and we're very excited to see how the public will react to this beta.

More as it happens.

What's New in Windows 7? A Sneak Peek at the Pre-Beta Reveals Some Surprises

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new...some_surprises

Officially, Microsoft pulls the drapes off the Windows 7 pre-beta tomorrow (October 28) at the Professional Developer's Conference. So, what's new and different? ZDNet blogger Mary Jo Foley's received the inside scoop on what's coming tomorrow. Look for:

* A new peripheral management interface called Device Stage (more info about this is coming in the Windows 7 Partner Showcase at November's WinHEC 2008 conference)
* A new self-diagnosis feature called Action Center
* A new A/V control method called StreamOn
* A new animation framework
* New task bar and shell integration features
* Multi-touch and gesture recognition
* Improved Bluetooth support
* Ribbon UI akin to Office 2007 for Windows 7's applets

The version PDC attendees will be seeing appears to be build 6801 M3 (Milestone 3), which was finalized on October 20. You can find screen shots of an earlier version of this build at the WinFuture.de website (the site's in German, but the screen shots are in English).

Stay tuned to Maximum PC for more Windows 7 coverage.

Vista is done for.

Originally Posted by Ethan3.14159

Yesterday CNET showed a few screenshots and some of the new features of Windows 7. From what I can see it looks like it should be called "Vista 1.1 with a new Paint!"

There are some changes in the UAC, bluetooth file transfer, and now a new version of paint. I don't think I like where Microsoft is placing their priorities

It doesn't look like they are making any big changes or anything... it looks disappointing.

CNET Screenshots of Windows 7

Even More Windows 7 Features Revealed in Privacy Statement

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new...vacy_statement

Yesterday we got a first look at some of Windows 7’s new features, care of a pre-beta sneak peek. Today, based on the privacy statement released with that same pre-beta, istartedsomething.com has puzzled out a new batch of upcoming Windows features.

They include:

• BitLocker Drive Encryption – encrypts your data, preventing an offline software attacks if your computer is stolen.
• Driver Protection – Prevents the OS from starting drivers with known stability problems.
• Dynamic Update – Allows the OS to automatically download the latest updates during installation.
• Gadgets – Programs that run on the desktop, likely similar to the likes of Rainlender
• Games Folder – Adds a right-click option for certain game icons which allows you automatically search for and download updates for the game.
• Homegroup – “Allows you to easily link Windows 7 computers on your home network so that you can share pictures, music, videos, documents and devices. It also makes them ready to stream media to devices on your home network such as a media extender.”

So what do you think of the new features? Tell us after the jump.

Check Out How Windows 7 Will Look on Tablet PCs

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new...ook_tablet_pcs

Leaked screenshots of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 OS are nothing new, and we expect even more frequent peeks with beta releases floating around the web. That's the case with GottaBeMobile.com, who is currently participating in the Windows 7 beta and is showing off several screenies of the new OS running on a Tablet PC.

As would be expected, much of the focus remains on the Tablet Input Panel (TIP) and how the TIP tab operates. This includes how-to animations that display when clicked and show how to correct a word, how to delete, split a word, how to join, and an option to hide the videos. And in a departure from Vista, handwriting to the TIP is auto recognized inline instead of displaying the recognition results in a bubble below the word.

GottaBeMobile promises that there are more screenshots to come, so if this is your bag of tea, consider adding the site to your favorites.

Is Windows 7 M3 Build 6801 Really "Vista R2?"

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new...eally_vista_r2

InfoWorld's Randall C. Kennedy has put Windows 7's Milestone 3 pre-beta build 6801, a freebie from last month's Microsoft Professional Developer's Conference, through a variety of benchmark tests, and isn't all that impressed:

As I reported on my Enterprise Desktop blog, the more I dug into Windows 7, the more I saw an OS that looked and felt like a slightly tweaked version of Windows Vista.

At his blog, Kennedy complains that Windows 7 is:

Just as slow as Vista...Just as consumer-focused as Vista...Just as confusing as Vista...

Kennedy cites these similarities:

* The number of execution threads in key subsystems is almost the same in Windows 7 as in Vista
* Benchmarks of Windows 7 and Vista Ultimate SP1 using the DMS Clarity Studio tools suite show almost identical results
* Similar amounts of RAM are used by Windows 7 and Windows Vista

From these facts and visual similarities between Windows 7 and Vista, Kennedy concludes:

Bottom line: So far, Windows 7 looks and behaves almost exactly like Windows Vista. It performs almost exactly like Vista. And it breaks all sorts of things that used to work just fine under Vista. In other words, Microsoft's follow-up to its most unpopular OS release since Windows Me threatens to deliver zero measurable performance benefits while introducing new and potentially crippling compatibility issues.

Is Kennedy right? Here's what I think is the problem with Kennedy's performance analysis: he's comparing a pre-beta with a finished product that already has one service pack under its hood, and he's complaining that the pre-beta he tested isn't any faster than its mature predecessor. In my experience, this is actually outstanding performance for a pre-beta.

I'm the author of two books on Windows Vista and I have contributed to several others, and as a consequence I was using various beta versions of Windows Vista from early 2006 on. Those releases of Vista were almost unbearably slow on my HP dv5000-series laptop, but the same computer running Vista Ultimate SP1 is now much faster when performing the same or even more complex tasks. Day 1 performance of Windows Vista was way better than with the early betas, and it's even better now with SP1, and yet a pre-beta of Windows 7 is already reaching comparable performance levels. I'd have been thrilled with this level of performance on the betas of Windows Vista I ran, and we're still many months away from a production release of Windows 7.

Although I haven't had a chance to try Windows 7 yet, many reviewers online and MaximumPC.com readers have tried the pre-beta of Windows 7 and like it, reporting better speed than with Vista and high overall satisfaction, whether running it as a native OS or within the limitations of a virtualized environment.

So, what should you believe? Hopefully, by the end of 2008 or in early 2009, you'll be able to make up your own mind by installing the public beta of Windows 7. In the meantime, hit Comment and tell us your experiences with Windows 7 (good, bad, and ugly).

Windows 7's Pre-Beta is "Safe, Solid - Exciting?"

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new...solid_exciting

As a counterpoint to InfoWorld blogger Randall Kennedy's controversial review of the Windows 7 pre-beta , we bring you a contrasting view from The Register's Tim Anderson:

During the press briefing for Windows 7 at Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference (PDC), corporate vice president for Windows product management Mike Nash insisted Microsoft had learned from the Vista experience.

Judging by early Windows 7 code released at PDC, the signs are that it really has....Windows 7 feels more polished than Vista, even in the preview, and performance is good.

Some of the high points Anderson noted include:

* A revamped taskbar featuring jump lists and recently opened documents
* A customize option for the system tray area
* Adjustable UAC options
* Better window management
* Sidebar's gone, but gadgets remain (now on the desktop)
* Libraries, which collect multiple physical locations into a single logical folder for searching
* Multi-touch display support (though Anderson says some icons are too small for finger control)
* Device Stage control center
* Improved Paint, WordPad (both with ribbon UI)
* Souped-up Calculator
* Windows Media Player's been updated with new codecs and support for DNLA media streaming
* BitLocker to Go encryption for removable media drives
* Direct Access for easy IPSec access to internal network shares on a Windows Sever 2008 R2 system
* Action Center replacement for Security Center

Anderson praises Windows 7 head honcho Steven Sinofsky (senior VP of the Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group) for what he calls "a methodical and disciplined approach" to developing Windows 7. Anderson doubts that there will be "a repeat of the Vista debacle, in terms of slippage, bugs and massive code rewrites."

Have you tried Windows 7 pre-beta? Hit Comment and tell us your favorite features - or features Microsoft still needs to fix.

A Deeper Look at Disk Space Usage in Windows 7 (and Windows Vista)

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new..._windows_vista

A recent posting to the Engineering Windows 7 blog (one of our favorite sites for Windows 7 news, by the way) has some very useful information about the mysterious WinSxS directory in Windows 7 (and Vista), and how Microsoft is trying to curb Windows' appetite for disk space in Windows 7.

The C:\Windows\WinSxS folder (first introduced in Vista) looks as if it is a huge gobbler of disk space, (it uses 3.5GB of disk space on a new system, and can use 10GB or more as a system is used) but what does it do, and is that space really being "used up?"

As it turns out, both Windows Vista and Windows 7 use the WinSxS folder to point to files that are actually found elsewhere in Windows; in other words, the amount of space that the WinSxS properties sheet says is in use isn't accurate. So, what's the folder for?

By using the WinSxS folder to store what the blog calls the "installation and servicing state" of all system components, Microsoft makes it easier to roll out Vista installations with imaging technology and to patch the image offline (Windows XP and earlier versions aren't image-friendly, and require third-party tools and clunky workarounds to permit image-based deployment). Also, if you get rid of the WinSxS folder, you make it difficult to keep Windows running reliably. So, the word on the street is, "keep the WinSxS folder." To remove old files replaced by Windows Vista SP1, the blog entry provides a link to information about the command-line VSP1CLN.exe tool.

So, if the WinSxS folder is going to get bigger over time as a logical consequence of installing updates and patches, is there any way to save space in Windows 7? Some of the approaches being considered include:

* Reducing the number of drivers installed in a standard installation (Windows Vista installs around 1GB of driver files)
* Automatically removing Windows components that have been replaced by a Service Pack or hotfix
* Reducing the size of the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys)
* Providing user configuration of the number of system restore snapshots stored by Windows

Although hard disks have never been cheaper on a cost per GB basis, Microsoft is working very hard to make sure that the disk space you paid for is used as efficiently as possible in Windows 7, especially on systems that have limited disk space.

A Closer Look at Windows 7's Taskbar

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new...ows_7s_taskbar

After a brief look back at the original taskbar in Windows 1.0 (Windows turned 20 this month), the Engineering Windows 7 blog dug deep into the enhanced features of the Windows 7 taskbar in its most recent entry.

A More Visual Taskbar

The Windows 7 taskbar now features large icons, support for Aero Glass, and no text, and when a window is maximized, the taskbar and the window's title bar no longer turn opaque and dark.

Smarter Program Launch Options

Windows 7 no longer has separate taskbar and Quick Launch buttons for applications, avoiding duplications. Right-click a button on the taskbar, and you can open recently-used documents associated with the program. How can you tell which button represents a program that's already running? A new feature called Color Hot-track changes the color of a running program's taskbar icon when you move your mouse over it.

Smarter Thumbnails

When you hover over a taskbar button, a live thumbnail appears, but in Windows 7, you can click on the thumbnail to switch to the program it represents. Thumbnails representing multiple windows of the same program are automatically grouped together, and when you hover over an icon representing multiple windows, each thumbnail is displayed separately (you still have the option to have a separate button for each program window if you prefer the older method). Hover over a thumbnail, and a new feature called Aero Peek displays the window on your desktop and fades other windows to clear 'glass' panes.

More Manageable Notification Area

The Notification Area can now be easily customized: drag icons from an optional icon menu into the standard menu.

All in all, it looks as if the changes in the Windows 7 taskbar are the most substantial in a long time. So, what do you think? Are they genuine improvements, or just more "churn?" Hit Comment and tell us. And, by the way, Happy Thanksgiving!

Windows 7 Beta 1 Leaked

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/new..._beta_1_leaked

Windows Vista never did manage to win over an enthusiast following, leaving many eagerly awaiting the release of Windows 7. But while Microsoft's next OS is still a year (or less) from release, you can already get your paws on the beta 1 version (build 7000). Windows 7 beta 1 isn't supposed to make its way into the public sector for another couple of weeks, but leaked copies have already started appearing on BitTorrent, and initial reactions is that it's pretty good.

"This beta is of excellent quality," ZDNet wrote. "This is the kind of code that you could roll out and live with. Even the pre-betas were solid, but finally this beta feels like it’s “done.” This beta exceeds the quality of any other Microsoft OS beta that I’ve handled"

ZDNet noted "exceptional" performance while playing with the beta code, saying it feels faster and more responsive than is typical of beta builds. But what the site didn't find were any new features compared to earlier builds.

BlogsDNA lists several torrent links for the DVD ISO image, which should make installation a breeze for anyone wanting to chance pre-release software.

If you have anymore news stories please PM me them so i can add them.

[Respital]

Windows 7 Milestone 3 Screenshot Gallery
Part 1: Desktop, Taskbar, and Start Menu

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_m3_screens.asp



Windows 7 Preview
Part 1: Let's Just Pretend Vista Never Happened, Shall We?

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_preview.asp


Windows 7 Preview
Part 2: Desktop Enhancements

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_preview_02.asp


Windows 7 Preview
Part 3: Explorer and Networking

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_preview_03.asp


Windows 7 Preview
Part 4: Apps, Internet and Devices

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_preview_04.asp

Windows 7 Preview
Part 5: Business and IT Pro Features

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_preview_05.asp

Windows 7 M3 Interactive Install Screenshot Gallery

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_m3_install.asp


Windows 7 Feature Focus

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff.asp

Windows 7: Simple vs. Easy

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_simple.asp

Windows 7 Build 69xx Screenshots

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_m3_69xx.asp

Windows 7 Feature Focus: Aero Peek

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_aero_peek.asp

Windows 7 Feature Focus:Aero Snaps

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_aero_snaps.asp

Windows 7 Build 6956 Screenshots

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_m3_6956.asp

Shipping Seven, Part 5: From M3 to Beta

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_shipping_05.asp

Windows 7 Beta Screenshots

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win...screens_01.asp

Windows 7 Beta Review

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_beta.asp

Windows 7 Beta Notes and Observations

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_beta_notes.asp

Windows 7 Beta Compatibility

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_beta_compat.asp


Windows 7 Beta Availability

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win..._available.asp

Evaluating the Windows 7 Beta for Business

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_beta_bus.asp


Windows 7 Feature Focus:Aero Shake

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_aero_shake.asp

Windows Live Essentials 2009 Review

http://www.winsupersite.com/live/essentials_2009.asp
If you have anymore news stories please PM me them so i can add them.

[mep916]

Thank you, thank you for creating this thread. I was getting around to doing it myself, but...well...

[mep916]

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/

Paul Thurrott updates his Windows site on a regular basis, so I think it's a good place to get the latest info on Windows 7 developments.

[Respital]

Originally Posted by mep916

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/

Paul Thurrott updates his Windows site on a regular basis, so I think it's a good place to get the latest info on Windows 7 developments.

Thanks Mike!

Edit: Mike do you think we should lock this thread? I'm thinking i mite need more space.

[mep916]

Originally Posted by Respital

Edit: Mike do you think we should lock this thread? I'm thinking i mite need more space.

I'd recommend posting links to the articles without the long excerpts. If you want, paraphrase each article into two or three sentences. You could paraphrase the previews from the WinSuperSite, or just post the link and remove the excerpts.

[Pheonix iz pro]

I can't wait for this! I have the PreBeta and cant wait for the Beta1

[Pheonix iz pro]

Thanks for this thread!

[dmw2692004]

just read the article in my maximum PC, interesttinng.

[Respital]

Originally Posted by mep916

Lookin good.

Thanks.

Also thanks for making it a sticky.

Originally Posted by dmw2692004

just read the article in my maximum PC, interesttinng.

Yeah, i think i'm going to stick with XP though.

Hmm maybe i should make a poll....