Hey all! Some of you remember from the Longhorn/Vista era. I'm back for Windows 7! So I did my install of 6801 last night, and I have to admit I am quite impressed. This is nothing like Longhorn 4074, which was really buggy. Everything works great on it! Well, mostly everything. I've run into more then a few bugs already.
Anyways, I plan to update this thread with features and changes Microsoft has done to Windows 7, along with a small review. For now though, I just have a few screenies. Give me a day or two to write some stuff up on the new features.
First Impressions:
I am extremly impressed with this version of Windows. From the installation process, right through to new features, and on to stability. Microsoft has done a pretty decent job. The setup process has been modified to make things easier for the end user, as well as adding more setup options (such as choosing a wireless network if an adapter is detected). The first bit of the installation process (before first reboot) hasn't changed much, other then the moving of the Product Key page to the second half of the installation, where the user configures his or her settings. The installation took about 30-35 minutes @ 3GHz (dual-core) and with 4GB RAM, which is pretty darn good if you compare it to how long Vista took when it was pre-beta. I expect as the OS becomes more stable and feature-complete, that the boot time will decrease to the same as Vista, and I would not be surprised at all if it was even faster.
On to the first bootup! Boot time was slightly longer then on a clean Vista install, but not noticeably. The boot screen has been updated, with the progress bar being moved to the center of the screen and getting a much needed new look. Go Microsoft! Now, I am impressed with the speed this OS has. After my desktop appeared, I could do anything with no lag at all. I know Vista introduced this feature, but it seems to have been improved in 7. I am impressed!!
So, now to look around. The first thing I noticed was the changes to the right side of the taskbar. Microsoft has installed a "Show Desktop" button on the end of the taskbar, on the right side of the clock. I think this is pretty cool, and I dont mind it, but for those who dont like it, I cant seem to find an option to turn it off. Hopfully one will be added in the future, and if not, someone will make a hack for it. Along with the new button, the system tray and time have been updated with rollover effects for the icons and the time, making them look clickable.
The second thing that stuck out for me was the Start menu. It seems to have had a bit of a new look. The aero glass around the borders has grown in thickness and the search box has more padding. Personally, I dont like it much... looks a little too bulgy. However, I am happy about one change to the Start menu - when you used the search box in Vista, the results appeared only on the Recent Items/All programs side. Now in Windows 7, the search spans the whole Start menu, hiding the right-side buttons. Go Microsoft!
There are many new features that Microsoft has been working on. I've found many little new additions, features that should have been there in Vista but were ignored or forgotten. Windows 7 almost seems to be a glorified Vista (in a good way). Microsoft is finding out what people want changed and are doing it. I can honestly see Windows 7 being a huge success, if this pre-beta is any indication. They are making Windows what it should be - useful.
My Specs:
Mobo: ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 6000+
RAM: 4GB OCZ (2x2GB)
Graphics: Integrated Radeon HD 3200
Notice how the bottom of the icon lights up on mouse hover, and it seperates itself from the other icons. The time does this also. The button to the far right acts as a "Show Desktop" Icon, replacing the icon previously in the "Quick Launch" tray.
This little window is similar in appearance from Vista, however slightly updated with a new look.
Notice the addition of a settings icon beside the X icon - clicking this will open up the new "Notification Area Icons" window. This window replaces the old controls in the "Taskbar and Start Menu properties" dialog. See next screenie for it.
The new "Notification Area Icons" window gives you more detailed control over the system tray, with a more appealing look
I know this doesn't look anything different from Vista, but watch what happens when you choose one:
Fancier!
Remember when Microsoft removed the "My" from everything, like "My Documents"? Well, they kinda brought it back... they now call it "Personal" So now we have "My Documents", "Documents" and "Personal Documents"
The Start menu got a nice UI change, although it looks a little bulgy.
In Vista, the search only showed up in the left-side pane. Now, it spans the whole Start menu.
Not sure if its just me or not, but if you look closely you will see the text behind the Aero effects has a bluish glow around it... not sure if this is a bug or a feature, but I don't mind it! It only happens with the start menu, window borders don't create the glow.
As this is pre-beta, it is incomplete. We dont see much difference from Vista. However, this did not pop up automatically at start up as it did in Vista. I had to get it from the start menu. Clicking "See more new features" brought this next one up.
It's kinda blank but it does say that they are designing Windows 7 to be for the average user, not just for geeks. Thats what we want to see!
Windows Update got a UI refresh as well. Too bad it doesn't work - I cant seem to update!
Looks like we have a new friend - the Media Center gadget! I think it is supposed to allow us easy access to our recorded TV shows and internet TV shows as well. Also, as you may already know, MS has killed the sidebar. Now, the gadgets line up top to bottom on the right side of the screen, as if the sidebar was there, however, on closer examination, the gadgets seem to "lock" into place against the sides of the screen (all 4) Its like a magnet. Also, if they are on the side, locked in, they will lock into each other, effectively stacking them. They do stack, but there is no actual sidebar anymore. For those die-hard sidebar fans, you could always Photoshop a picture of the sidebar into your wallpapers - then you always have it!
The right-click menu has changed yet again. Due to the lack of a sidebar, Gadgets are now offically part of the desktop. Clicking on Gadgets brings up the previous screenie. Display now opens up the next screenie, and Personalization opens up the one after that.
Microsoft has given the Display dialog a UI overhaul, along with a new feature. It looks pretty nice.
In Vista, opening Personalization would give you a list of options to choose from. However, 7's new theme system allows you to control everything from one window. You can create your own theme and change wallpaper, screensaver, color scheme, etc right from the one window. A pretty handy tool, anyways.
Now, you might have seen the screenshots going around about the new taskbar. Problem is, this is not in 6801... or is it? It seems like Microsoft simply turned it off, because it was not ready yet. However, if you are a die-hard geek, you can turn it on! Check out this Within Windows blog post - it will explain how to activate it. However, like I said it is not ready yet. It seems kinda iffy to me. However, it is easy to go back. The application the blog post supplies also has a reversion button. So if you wanna have a peek, check it out!
More stuff coming soon!
Last updated Nov 4th, 08
Thanks for posting. I hope to try it out in a few days.
Good one.
DualBootPRO