Windows 7 Pre-Beta, Unveiled : Windows 7 New Desktop Look

By Mary Branscombe , published on October 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM
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Windows 7 gets its first outing at the Professional Developers Conference, and attendees receive the pre-beta software : Tom’s Guide got a chance to try it out in advance. Listed here are the features we think matter most.

Microsoft claims Windows 7 takes the Vista aero interface and streamlines it, although it’s nothing like rumors of a new interface with a ring of commands on screen. Instead, there’s a new Taskbar that combines buttons for applications you often use with icons for applications you’re actually running, so you don’t have to go back and forth between the taskbar, the Start menu and the Quick Launch toolbar. You can drag icons on and off from the Start menu and choose what order you want icons in no matter what order you open applications in. The pre-beta ‘milestone 3’ version that Microsoft is giving to developers attending the Professional Developer Conference this week doesn’t have the new Taskbar, but it’s in a newer internal build that we’ve also seen. Arranging windows is easier ; drag a window to the top of the screen and it maximises ; drag it to the edge and it snaps to fill half the screen so it’s easier to copy and paste.
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Comments
dextermat 10/28/2008 5:35 PM
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What about security, spyware, worm.... i guess microsoft didn't spend that much time n effort into those.

Sure it look nice with all gagets and such, hopefully this version of windows will work with older pentium 4, core 2 duo, amd x2 n such, NOT like Vista. I think will have to buy a bran new computer next year, better put 1000$ side for that

timaahhh 10/28/2008 6:00 PM
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Vista is quite a bit more secure then Xp but people didn't tend to care about that much. Microsoft prolly feels talking up security is a waste of breath.

Anonymous 10/28/2008 6:28 PM
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In slide 15, it mistook an alpha for an x

carver_g 10/28/2008 6:37 PM
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Anonymous 10/28/2008 7:23 PM
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even if they started from scratch it would be unsecure soon enough. super chodes

salsoolo 10/28/2008 7:37 PM
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for guys worried about security
There is no perfect system, which cannot be hacked.
There is no perfect hacker who can hack everything.

ProDigit80 10/28/2008 7:40 PM
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Anonymous 10/28/2008 7:41 PM
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Jeesh! I wish some of you guys would give it a break. As soon as it's something by Microsoft, out come the brick-bats, and the woulda, shoulda, and coulda. This is a pre-beta release...got that...PRE. The beast ain't even close to being finished. Can't you guys, just once, comment on what is offered as opposed to what you think, feel,or believe should have been offered. All lot of people don't really care about your personal desires in software.

OK! I've had my say...start attacking.

salsoolo 10/28/2008 8:04 PM
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Theres no perfect system which cannot be hacked.

ethaniel 10/28/2008 8:06 PM
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I'll just ask for a customized installation mode, I want to be able to choose which functions will be installed in my system. I miss that since Windows 98...

itadakimasu 10/28/2008 8:39 PM
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it's funny because they're making windows 7 mostly because of all the inept vista bashers... and those same people are going to bash 7 the same as they did vista.

if the hardware you're using doesn't have a vista driver because it was made around the turn of the century... it's time to upgrade, not whine. That or go use windows 2000, might as well.

or wait... switch to a mac! the learning curve should be alot easier than moving from 2000, to xp, to vista, to 7 / vista 2 (end of sarcasm)

Anonymous 10/28/2008 8:43 PM
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Microsoft needs to just develop a system that is lightweight, cheap but secure initially for $50. Then offer people packages online that they can download for $10-50 to add extra features like DirectX gaming, Office, Administrative tools, etc.

hannibal 10/28/2008 8:48 PM
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It's easy to understand those that hope for more customiseable windows and an option to have lite version of os.
The problem is that normal mister Smith would be in trouble if you ask somemthing more comlex than his name... but yeah, why not allow more custom install to those who need it?
Maybe they are afraid, that not all programs works as they should, if not all the machines are installed in the same way? What soes this tell about new Office programs...
Nah, just like someone above says. It's too early to predict that we don't see that kind of options that are hoped for, but I don't hold my breath...

Anonymous 10/28/2008 8:52 PM
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I think it might be a little better than Vista, but what about compatibility?, Useability? and is there a limit to the amount of memory that it "sees"?

ZyxMEvEuuxcZ 10/28/2008 8:58 PM
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Anonymous 10/28/2008 9:04 PM
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Did anyone read somewhere if Windows 7 will have full support of wide colour gamut LCD monitors?

p05esto 10/28/2008 9:05 PM
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I like it, I think MS is learning here. I never did upgrade to Vista and will not, but WIN7 doesn't look too bad - so far. People in general are too hard on MS, XP is awesome and I think #7 will be as well, MS can't afford to screw up again, and they won't.

p05esto 10/28/2008 9:15 PM
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Oh, and I love the "custom install" ideas. I use nLite to slipstream serveice packs into XP and create a very lean OS install....but it's a bunch of work. It would be AMAZING if WIN7 had a custom install option that explained what all the features did, size, reasons to install etc. If eliminating the bloat made the OS run faster all the better. If MS really did a good and detailed job with this it would bring in the enthusiast crowd who want to tweak their OS for performace and specific functionality.

Make everything modular except for the core, heck one of the install options could be the GUI, and if you skipped it you get that command prompt server core that's in Vista server or whatever it's called. Or at least opt not to install Aero and instead have a classic theme. KILL AERO.

descendency 10/28/2008 9:49 PM
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p05esto :
Oh, and I love the "custom install" ideas. I use nLite to slipstream serveice packs into XP and create a very lean OS install....but it's a bunch of work. It would be AMAZING if WIN7 had a custom install option that explained what all the features did, size, reasons to install etc.


This should be a feature of every windows from now until forever. If you are a user who does not need something to run, you should not have it installed, especially when that holds back performance.

Anonymous 10/28/2008 10:08 PM
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Wish list for Windows 7:
1. Have WINDOWS track installs..if a program changes anything not in the PROGRAM'S REGISTRY KEY or the PROGRAM's Folder then I need an easy way to change it back (in addition to an easy way to delete the Program's registry keys and folder). This should be as simple as going to Add/Remove Programs and removing it and KNOWING it is all gone (Yes, even you, SecureROM!)
Microsoft, are you tired of people complaining about security? Do your people just not think of these things?!?!?!?!
2. If a program is writing to IT's program group or IT's registry keys, I don't need a pop up to warn me about it...I don't need to know. I'm no so much worried about a program upgrading ITSELF as I am about it changing Windows...Windows needs to know what changed Windows settings and how to change the settings back.


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