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.
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.
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
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.
You can also switch to Small Icons view by right-clicking in empty area and selecting the option:
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.
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:
6. New Taskbar Options:
Now Taskbar and Start Menu Properties contains a few new options and has a re-designed interface.
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:
Wordpad:
8. New Windows Defender Interface:
Windows Defender got a new interface in Windows 7.
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:
10. Re-designed Calculator:
Calculator has also been re-designed. It provides 2 new options: Programmer and Statistics.
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
12. New Options in "System Properties":
"System Properties" also provides 2 new options:
- Save taskbar thumbnail previews
- Show shadows under windows
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.
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.
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...
Complete list of AskVG articlesThis article was posted in Windows 7.
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cyber
thanks, i get the animated boot screen.but iam not able to get the product key
User
And THAT'S all? Is that new system? Few irritating changes + few small add-ons + new too big taskbar + those damn ribbons in wordpad?! People - start to think a little!
O M G
babu
ya as you said i thk W 7 will work fine ,but i dont thk i will make big change in the market like Xp & 98.
Nour
windows 7 = vista
Nour
the 2 suck
same piece of crap with a face wash!
same as windows vista but the icons are now more shinny!.... piece of crap!!!! ,
I'll never buy again a notebook with windows preinstalled, I am still using my older notebook with windows XP because I can't run games on this vista crap and this notebook doubles the hardware of my old notebook!.
hope microsoft goes to hell with the global crisis along with .net windows and all the virus friendly crap.
duno40
Hello all,
I thought I share my experience with Windows 7 beta version.
I did install it on Acer Aspire one with no issues at all. It runs faster than Vista and XP.
All the drivers have been installed by default except my wifi card which I had to play around a bit.
The GUI is similar to Vista but has some nice touchy improvements to it. I like the new Windows explorer functions and Control panel menu.
The Aero is nearly the same as Vistas one with some nicer themes and colors (it’s still a beta release it might still change.)
You don’t need a powerful PC to be able to run it (ATOM 1.6 + 1GB of RAM) will run it faster than Windows XP Home edition that was the default installation on AA1.
The kernel is separated from the OS (like linux – but less sophisticated at this stage).
I love the power functions. I can get longer battery life out of it than any other OS (except a proper configuration of Ubuntu on AA1).
It is less bloated then Vista and will be great for older machines.
Cannot wait until the final version is out.
So far I am giving a thumb up for Microsoft, which I did not do in the last 10 years of my IT courier.
I stick still with Windows 7 / Ubuntu on my AA1 and Vista / Suse on my other laptop. See if I convert all my PC’s to Win7 once the final release is out.
If Microsoft will keep the game up as they did so far with the beta version I think they will certenly have me (only if the final is as good or better then beta version).
Cheers.
VG
^^ Nice review.
John Aurther
I have the serial of windows 7 (32-bit). But I lost the demo version. How can I download that?
Sourav Mohanty
Thanks for the upload. Well the new Windows 7 is pretty same as that of Windows Vista. Though i hated Vista lets see this new OS may change my mind.
But still Linux Rocks........