Windows 7

Just spreading the news.

WINDOWS 7

Windows 7, or Windows Vienna, or Blackcomb, is the latest version of Microsoft Windows. The public beta has recently started. (YAY!)

It is designed to replace the faults of Windows Vista, and add new stuff:

-Removal of the Windows Sidebar, and gadgets directly on the Desktop, and also allowing invisible windows.
-IE 8
-Better device management
-Better taskbars
-Faster performance
-Better battery life
-Better graphics and themes
-Jump Lists
-Better Controls
And more


Official Site
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx

Beta Download
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx

 

Looks like vista + XP combined?

 

Too soon to be releasing new OS, they should fix Vista, which isn't that bad in the first place.It looks like it has a Mac feel I'll wait til this comp dies which will be like in 4 years probably

 

Probably when my current labtop dies, so eventually is most likely

 

I can tell you one thing.
IE 8 is still very much unrefined. Crashes lots. Colored tabs = win though

Anyways I am an early adopter so I will probably get Windows 7 pretty quick. I am not afraid of a few bugs and I am not nitpicky like everyone else who bags on Visat (despite most of the problems having already been fixed) (also if your PC can't run Vista don't expect 7 to work any better, they use the same Kernal.)

I want to try the beta but my PC doesnt want to recognise the disk, Bastard. I need to reinstall the OS anyways.

 

I downloaded the .iso, burned it, and tried installing it only to find out my laptop's BIOS is f^&*ed

 

How'd you manage to damage the firmware.

 

Dunno.

It boots the first bit, where it says DELL and crap, but it won't load the boot menu. Just sits there with a blinking _

 

Yay, installing Windows 7 right now as I type. Burned and ready to go. Finally get rid of this f*cking Ubuntu.

 

Goddamn that took a while. An hor and a half it took me and now it wants to restart to install updates.
Luckly it appears my programs are still running which is different. Usually when I instal l Windows I have to reinstall every single program.

Also I am happy to report the taskbar can be configured not to remove labels.
Though they changed the network icon so it no longer shows blue when the link is active.

One thing, does anyone know where the quicklaunch bar went?
Edit: Nevermind, I can pin stuff directly to the tasbar. My lod quicklaunch stuff is gone though

 

It's not in the taskbar options?

 

My choices are links (fav webpages), address (opens browser), desktop, and iTunes


Heres another neat thing. When you miuse over an item on the taskbar it gives you a preview (huzzah they weren't lying to us). With IE this shows the content of all of the tabs and can be used to select a tab, Ima try that with Opera.

Doesn't work with Opera. Anyone running FF or Chrome know if it works with those?

 

Maybe beta doesn't have er... some of the most important stuff?

 

They redid the interface, The taskbar is different and the sidebar got the boot (gadgets go on the desktop now)

 

Is the taskbar as huge as in the sshot?

 

It's like 5 (maybe 10) pixels taller than the old one. It encapsulates the Start orb now, not all that much taller, and as stated previously, while it does default to ripping the names off of your taskbar icons, that can be set to never do it, or only to do that when the taskbar is crowded (the same time XP and VIsta group multiple windows into a list under one icon)



Color coded for your convenience Regular windows are the default color. UAC warnings are yellow, secutiry windows are red, windows with a progress bar (downloads, installs etc.) will show the tab filling with green from the left to right with the bar.

 

Ugh.

Too bad it still has no support. No support for StarCraft or my USB. OR iTunes.

 

No tech support. It's beta.
To run SC or iTunes try running in compatability mode

 

Sounds awesome.

 

Additional note for Meee.
You can select "use small icons" and the taskbar will be the same size as in previous editions of Windows