Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) can be downloaded for free, but only until 20 August 2009.
If you haven’t done so yet, and you read this post within a day of my writing it, then you can still download a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate for evaluation. [click to continue…]
What questions does this raise for you?
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Windows 7 has a search box you can place right on the taskbar. Called the address toolbar, it is easy to set up and allows you to start a search and open your browser in one step. [click to continue…]
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Many people wonder if Windows 7 will work with legacy software.
Theoretically, anything that runs on Windows Vista should also run just fine under Windows 7.
One might assume that Microsoft would attempt to force people to upgrade their Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access etc.) by making older versions incompatible with newer operating systems. [click to continue…]
Can you please comment below? I'd appreciate it.
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Windows 7 comes with an array of built in desktop gadgets and themes. In case you want more than what’s available with the default Windows 7 install, you can always download more from the Microsoft website.
Microsoft gadget downloads and theme downloads are free, which is nice. [click to continue…]
What are your thoughts on the subject?
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The Window 7 taskbar redesign appears to have dropped some functionality, even as it adds some nice new features.
The most obvious missing feature to me is the lack of windows controls: minimize, maximize, restore etc.
While these functions do not appear to be available when a taskbar icon represents just one task, it is possible to control windows sizing functions from the taskbar if the icon represents more than one instance of an application.
For example, if you have two versions of notepad running, then the notepad icon on the taskbar represents both instances of notepad, and so you can gain access to windows sizing functions.
Here’s how it works.
If you have several versions of a program open, Notepad for example, you can get thumbnails of each instance to appear in a row above the taskbar by hovering the pointer over the Notepad icon on the taskbar.
When you hover over a particular thumbnail, a close button appears at the top right of the thumbnail. This location is actually a mini title bar for the application.
You can right-click on the title bar and get exactly the same context menu as when you right-click on the title bar of the full sized application.
This context menu gives you access to the following commands:
When you use the Windows 7 taskbar to resize windows, it feels different from doing the same operations in previous versions of Windows.
In fact it is very similar.
In previous versions of Windows, you had to left-click on a taskbar icon, then right-click on a program instance within the instance stack. This gives you the window sizing context menu.
In Windows 7, you left-click on an icon like before, then hover over a thumbnail, then right-click the mini-title bar to get the window sizing context menu.
The former is slightly more efficient as far as speed and mouse gestures, however it is sometimes difficult to identify the window you want to work with.
Windows 7 offers an interface that seems a little less efficient, but is actually a little easier to use in many circumstances.
Any other ideas?
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If you haven’t downloaded the Windows 7 RC, you still can (as of this writing).
Microsoft has extended the download cutoff date until 20 August 2009.
To download Windows 7 RC click here.
Looking forward to your comments...
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Windows 7 is on the horizon, and many people are excited to upgrade their computer, either from aging Windows XP machines, or much maligned Vista systems.
You could set up your computer with the release candidate any time you like. Why not now? After all, it seems to be stable and there is good feedback on it. I’m certainly happy with my Windows 7 RC system.
So why not upgrade now? Why not just install the Windows 7 RC and then upgrade that when the final version hits the streets in October?
Although this is possible, it is not recommended.
First of all, Microsoft does not recommend it. There may or may not be something in that. The trouble is that any problems or roadblocks you run into upgrading from RC to commercial versions will not be supported.
Secondly, Microsoft has set up the install system so that you can not do this type of upgrade.
There is a way around it. it is possible to upgrade from Windows 7 RC to the final version. This may work out fine, although there is the risk that Microsoft has a good reason to block the upgrade.
If you are more interested in having the latest Microsoft operating system on your system, you can certainly upgrade now with the RC. You may be able to do a full upgrade and be just fine.
But there is a risk that you will end up with problems, and have to start over.
Starting over is a waste of time.
So if it is productivity you value, you are better to stick with the system you have for now until the final version comes up.
A third option is to buy a new hard drive and have at least two partitions on it.
Install the RC on one partition and set it up the way you want it.
When the final version of Windows 7 comes out, install it on the second partition (use a dual-boot system). That way you have a working system you can use when you need to be productive, and you can set up the second Windows 7 system as time allows.
Agree or disagree?
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Windows 7 has a number of new desktop features.
This video explains what some of the these features are.
Let's talk more about this... can you do me a quick 30-second favor and leave a comment below?
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Windows 7 has better support than ever for dual monitors.
As soon as you plug a second monitor into your computer, Windows 7 detects it and immediately starts using it.
Windows assumes you want to display the same image on both monitors. It attempts to make both monitors the same, so it adjusts the resolution to make the most of the lower resolution monitor, and then displays an image to fit within the larger monitor.
Although this does not make best use of the larger monitor, it prevents strange effects on the smaller monitor that might make it unusable.
Do you want more blog posts like this? Comment below telling me you want it...
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The Windows 7 task manager has undergone some major renovations. In this article, we’ll look at the Processes tab.
The processes tab displays a list of all processes – not jut programs – running under Windows 7. Every program has at least one process, sometimes more. The operating system has several processes running. Background programs show up here as well. [click to continue…]
Any other ideas?
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