What’s New in Windows 7 Beta: A Small Review with Screenshots



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Windows7logo.png

Finally we got our hands on Windows 7 latest build. To be honest, it's very fast and reliable even its under testing at the moment.

It looks very similar to Windows Vista as its using the same Kernel. But there are lots of enhancements and feature additions which make it better and faster than Vista.

Without wasting any time, let us look at some new features and options which make Windows 7 unique and better than earlier Windows versions:

1. Setup:

Windows 7 setup is very same as Vista setup. Same interface, same options, same wizard, same timings. Everything is same except the setup background and the boot screen which is too awesome. "Starting Windows" is displayed along with a glassy scrollbar in the middle of boot screen. The setup background is the same image which is used as Desktop wallpaper in the latest Windows 7 build.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Setup_Wizard.jpg

It took almost 25-30 minutes in installing Windows 7. Nothing was asked during the setup. A few things like time zone, etc were asked at last. So you can make a coffee or drink after running the setup.

2. Windows Explorer:

Windows Explorer has also been modified a bit. New commandbar (without icons as usual), new left-side pane containing Libraries, Favorites, etc, new Details Pane, a few new options in "View" menu like Content and at last re-sizable Searchbar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Explorer_Thumb.jpg

Overall new Explorer looks better and more simple. Also they have moved the "Group By" arrow to the left from right.

3. Desktop Context Menu:

Desktop context menu is similar to Vista but you get 3 new options:

  • Share with
  • Display Settings
  • Gadgets

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Desktop_Context_Menu.jpg

Share with is used for new Home Groups, Display Settings directly launches the Graphics card Properties tab and Gadgets launches the Sidebar Gadget list.

4. New Control Panel:

Control Panel window has also been modified. The left sidebar takes very less space and resizes itself whenever any control panel item is opened in the window. It provides more space.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_ControlPanel_Large_Icons.jpg

You can also switch to Small Icons view by right-clicking in empty area and selecting the option:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_ControlPanel_Small_Icons.jpg

As you can see now you can save the view settings which was not possible in Vista and people complained a lot about it.

5. System Tray:

Now icons in System tray are highlighted when you move the cursor over them. Also you can see a little difference in icons when you click on them. The little arrow at start shows the hidden/inactive icons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Sys_Tray.jpg

The empty space at last of the taskbar is new "Show Desktop" shortcut. It minimizes all opened window and shows the Desktop. Very handy and cool feature:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Show_Desktop.jpg

6. New Taskbar Options:

Now Taskbar and Start Menu Properties contains a few new options and has a re-designed interface.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Taskbar_Options.jpg

As you can see now you can change the taskbar location directly from the drop-down box.

PS: Classic Start Menu has been removed. I hope it'll be added in later builds.

7. Ribbons in MSPaint and Wordpad:

As you all know about Ribbon interface implementation in Paint and Wordpad applications:

MSPaint:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_MSPaint.jpg

Wordpad:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Wordpad.jpg

8. New Windows Defender Interface:

Windows Defender got a new interface in Windows 7.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Windows_Defender.jpg

They have removed the "Windows Defender logo" from right and also changed the colors of window.

9. Improved Firewall:

Windows Firewall has been improved a lot in Windows 7. Now its more customizable and provides more security:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Firewall.jpg

10. Re-designed Calculator:

Calculator has also been re-designed. It provides 2 new options: Programmer and Statistics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Calculator.jpg

11. New Options in "Folder Options":

There are 2 new options in "Folder Options":

  • Hide empty drives in the Computer folder
  • Try to search the content of unknown file types

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Folder_Options_New.jpg

12. New Options in "System Properties":

"System Properties" also provides 2 new options:

  • Save taskbar thumbnail previews
  • Show shadows under windows

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_System_Properties.jpg

If you disable "Show shadows under windows" option, then all window loose the shadow around them and it looks very ugly at the moment but its a nice addition.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Windows_without_Shadows.jpg

As you can see the black corners around window which doesn't look good but since its a testing build. Such GUI glitches would be fixed in later builds.

13. New Boot Screen, Login Screen and a little modified Aero Theme:

As mentioned at start, Windows 7 contains a new Boot screen showing "Starting Windows" along with a glassy progressbar in the middle.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Windows%207/Win7_Boot_Screen.jpg

Login screen is similar to Vista except the background. Vista login screen background is same as its default Aurora wallpaper. Same case with Windows 7, its login screen background is same as its default wallpaper which is also used during the setup.

And Aero theme is very same as Vista theme. Only a little tweaked start menu and taskbar. Also the maximized windows don't loose transparency.

So that's the end of this review. There is much more to share which is coming in near future. So stay tuned with us...

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This article was posted in Windows 7.


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121 Comments

1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13

  • Someone

    VG, I cannot install Windows 7 RC. I get an error saying the files could not copying, files could be corrupt or missing. Do you know how fix this? It stop at 87% on the Copying Windows Files process.

  • VG

    ^^ Most probably downloaded file is corrupt.

  • Windows 7 RC User

    You realize that Windows 7 doesn't boot like that. I don't know where you got that boot style, I've had both Windows 7 RC and Windows 7 Beta. This photo at: http://w7info.com/articles/wp-content/images/bootscreen.png shows Windows 7 booting up.

  • VG

    ^^ This review is very old and the boot screen was changed in later builds.

  • Tyler

    Maybe an update in this for the RC build VG?

  • romeo

    good

  • Ghost

    well, these things are important. but the most important thing is how fast is windows seven and how does it use hardware performance. 'cause vista is a performance nightmare.
    I think windows seven will be a masterpiece, and I can't wait for its full version release.

  • rebeen

    Thanks for reviewing Windows 7

  • MAGNUMHEART

    hi vg. can u give a review about what's the latest build in windows 7'

    is 7600 the latest today' ^^

  • VG

    ^^ I'm waiting for the RTM build announcement and once its released, will try to post a review about it. ;)

1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13

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