Windows 7 - Your opinions

Blighter · 10-05-2009, 20:34

Last night I borrowed my mates USB drive so I can copy my files over, format, and install Windows 7.

I was amazed, and still am, ever since I booted up the install CD.

The installer itself was nice and pretty, but also VERY quick compared to previous windows installs. I've installed XP MCE05 twice on this laptop, and both times it took around 45 minutes. Windows 7 took 29 from CD insertion to logging into my user account

The new start menu is pretty cool too. I can see it taking a bit of getting used to but it works very well. I like the way Quick Launch/Open Programs are combined, and even with properly coded programs (MSN), it even removes the icon from the system tray and just uses the one icon (see screenshot).

It's also fast. Very fast. My laptop isn't the best in the world (specs below), but even aero runs very swiftly and the whole OS seems really resource light.

Like vista, 99% of hardware works out of the box and they've FINALLY decided to include codecs for things like DivX/xVid \0/

The start menu has a little new feature which is handy. When you hover over a program in your recently used list, it displays the recently opened files for that recently opened program

The backgrounds that come with W7 are nice, and a new theme support is pretty cool and can see it being welcome among many

(as you can see from the screeny, some theme files have slideshow backgrounds)

I know there are parts I've left out but I assume you're getting bored of reading now.. so here are some screenies... (click for bigger)

My system details:

The new sexy Paint:

What happens when you have multiple windows open:

Start Menu:

My Pictures (soz Piggy & Des

):

WMP:

Themes:

Mark · 10-05-2009, 21:10

Think it's going to take me a while to get used to the imminent demise of the menu bar. 20 years worth of experience to un-learn.

(that's also why I haven't taken the plunge with Office 2007)

A Place of Light · 10-05-2009, 21:17

Is this still due for release in October?
The reason I ask is I'm putting off formatting until it's on sale.

Zirax · 10-05-2009, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Think it's going to take me a while to get used to the imminent demise of the menu bar. 20 years worth of experience to un-learn.

(that's also why I haven't taken the plunge with Office 2007)

That does look odd and could be frustrating. I'm tempted to jump to Office 2007 but I will only do so when my work swaps.

One thing to check though Blighter, how restricted are you with regards to making Super User (admin level) actions? I don't mind putting in a password (like Linux) but if it's OTT like Vista.

The interesting thing will be around driver support. As this is heavily based on Vista from what I've read around, I gather the drivers should be more mature?

Briggykins · 10-05-2009, 21:35

I don't really see it's the massive leap over Vista that it was touted to be (tho I like Vista so that's not such a big deal for me

). However I do think some of the UI features like the new taskbar will be good once I get used to them. One thing tho...what is the point of Aero Peek (on the far right)? Why do I want to see what my desktop looks like?

Mark · 10-05-2009, 21:42

UAC has been neutered, and the dreaded 'Continue' button of doom is gone. You still get prompted, but can say when, and the wording has been cleaned up for novice users (so it's now a 'Yes' or 'No' prompt).

Unfortunately, these changes also opened up some holes for malware. Hopefully, Microsoft has fixed those by now.

Richard Slater · 10-05-2009, 21:46

Windows 7 isn't a massive jump over Vista (in fact Vista is v6.0, Win 7 is v6.1) Microsoft have stated they did all the nasty application breaking changes in Vista now they are refining the technology and concentrating on user experience and kernel optimization.

I have been using Windows 7 as my secondary machine at work since the Beta was released, last week I installed Windows 7 on my primary machine - if I have to do a re-install of my home computer before Window 7 is on general availability I will be making the switch there too.

Zirax, Vistas UAC on/off control has been replaced with a slider to give the end user control over which system events trigger a username and password box.

Blighter · 10-05-2009, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zirax

One thing to check though Blighter, how restricted are you with regards to making Super User (admin level) actions? I don't mind putting in a password (like Linux) but if it's OTT like Vista.

Haly · 10-05-2009, 22:46

I like it but I hardly used vista previously so it's quite a change from XP.
It feels nice and fast. My only minor complaint is I appear to have lost middle click on my laptop but to be fair to Windows, that may well be my fault as I haven't looked very exhaustively for drivers. Other than that, it only took 25-30mins to install and it was ready to go.

Blighter · 10-05-2009, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haly

I like it but I hardly used vista previously so it's quite a change from XP.
It feels nice and fast. My only minor complaint is I appear to have lost middle click on my laptop but to be fair to Windows, that may well be my fault as I haven't looked very exhaustively for drivers. Other than that, it only took 25-30mins to install and it was ready to go.

Which laptop is it? (Make & Model) I'll get you some linkage

edit: People actually use a middle mouse button?

10-05-2009, 20:34	#1
Blighter Dubious Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,571	Windows 7 - Your opinions Last night I borrowed my mates USB drive so I can copy my files over, format, and install Windows 7. I was amazed, and still am, ever since I booted up the install CD. The installer itself was nice and pretty, but also VERY quick compared to previous windows installs. I've installed XP MCE05 twice on this laptop, and both times it took around 45 minutes. Windows 7 took 29 from CD insertion to logging into my user account The new start menu is pretty cool too. I can see it taking a bit of getting used to but it works very well. I like the way Quick Launch/Open Programs are combined, and even with properly coded programs (MSN), it even removes the icon from the system tray and just uses the one icon (see screenshot). It's also fast. Very fast. My laptop isn't the best in the world (specs below), but even aero runs very swiftly and the whole OS seems really resource light. Like vista, 99% of hardware works out of the box and they've FINALLY decided to include codecs for things like DivX/xVid \0/ The start menu has a little new feature which is handy. When you hover over a program in your recently used list, it displays the recently opened files for that recently opened program The backgrounds that come with W7 are nice, and a new theme support is pretty cool and can see it being welcome among many (as you can see from the screeny, some theme files have slideshow backgrounds) I know there are parts I've left out but I assume you're getting bored of reading now.. so here are some screenies... (click for bigger) My system details: The new sexy Paint: What happens when you have multiple windows open: Start Menu: My Pictures (soz Piggy & Des ): WMP: Themes: __________________ Look at your signature, now back to mine, now back to yours, now back to mine. Sadly, yours isn't mine. But if you stopped writing about other things and made this your signature, yours could be like mine. Look down, back up. Where are you? You're on Boat Drinks, reading the signature your signature could be like. I'm on a computer. My Blog \| More Outdoors \| MSN \| Email \| Call Me

10-05-2009, 21:35	#5
Briggykins Vodka Martini Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Exeter Posts: 753	I don't really see it's the massive leap over Vista that it was touted to be (tho I like Vista so that's not such a big deal for me ). However I do think some of the UI features like the new taskbar will be good once I get used to them. One thing tho...what is the point of Aero Peek (on the far right)? Why do I want to see what my desktop looks like? __________________

10-05-2009, 22:46	#9
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	I like it but I hardly used vista previously so it's quite a change from XP. It feels nice and fast. My only minor complaint is I appear to have lost middle click on my laptop but to be fair to Windows, that may well be my fault as I haven't looked very exhaustively for drivers. Other than that, it only took 25-30mins to install and it was ready to go. __________________ Halycopter

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10-05-2009, 21:10	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Think it's going to take me a while to get used to the imminent demise of the menu bar. 20 years worth of experience to un-learn. (that's also why I haven't taken the plunge with Office 2007)

10-05-2009, 21:17	#3
A Place of Light Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,247	Is this still due for release in October? The reason I ask is I'm putting off formatting until it's on sale.

10-05-2009, 21:42	#6
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	UAC has been neutered, and the dreaded 'Continue' button of doom is gone. You still get prompted, but can say when, and the wording has been cleaned up for novice users (so it's now a 'Yes' or 'No' prompt). Unfortunately, these changes also opened up some holes for malware. Hopefully, Microsoft has fixed those by now.

10-05-2009, 21:46	#7
Richard Slater Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 285	Windows 7 isn't a massive jump over Vista (in fact Vista is v6.0, Win 7 is v6.1) Microsoft have stated they did all the nasty application breaking changes in Vista now they are refining the technology and concentrating on user experience and kernel optimization. I have been using Windows 7 as my secondary machine at work since the Beta was released, last week I installed Windows 7 on my primary machine - if I have to do a re-install of my home computer before Window 7 is on general availability I will be making the switch there too. Zirax, Vistas UAC on/off control has been replaced with a slider to give the end user control over which system events trigger a username and password box.