I'm Astounded by Windows 7

Okay, so after a few trial and errors (mostly installation disc problems), I managed to install Windows 7 RC onto my Dell m1530 Laptop. At first I was very impatient and ready to just give up and let Geek Squad or something install it, but I read around and figured it out. Once it finally worked, my jaw dropped.

Here's what really caught my eye:

- The new taskbar. I really like the way it shows the icon instead of the window title for the running applications. It really spices things up and gives your desktop a cleaner look.

- The new wallpapers. In Vista, they were okay, but there was a limited amount of them. In XP they were just horrible. Now, they really stepped it up, featuring abstract, scenery, nature, characters, and they're all really nice! I'm actually using one of them now. The screen savers are excellent also. I like the bubble one, and how your computer doesn't just go to the screen saver, but the screen saver overlays your desktop, keeping all of your work there to immediately return to it as quickly as possible.

- The new sound schemes. They're very likable, and there's multiple of them. Enough said.

What do you like/hate about Windows 7 so far? Are you upgrading to the final manufactured version?

 

lol already updated all systems to the final rtm version. just waiting on keys now

 

I've been running the RTM version (legally activated) for 2 days now. And let me tell you, it is much better than the previous RC builds, much faster, very stable.

I loved the fact that my system was ready to be used right after the installation. All drivers of my notebook were automaticaclly installed!!!

and I love the fact that it's blistering fast! and the "Shake windows" effect, all you have to do is shake the title bar of the current windows you're viewing left and right rapidly, and all the other windows will magically get minimized and only the window you're shaking will remain active

 

its amazing

auto optimized for SSD;s i boot in 7 sec's

 

activated already?

how you done that, that havent brought the keys out yet

 

technet if i am not mistaken

 

I'm astounded too, for negative reasons.

- I whine about this one on other forums - It's no longer possible to set particular file folders to always open a certain size in a certain position. Folders now open in a pattern which is not controlled by the user, and all folders open at the same size. It's no longer "Windows", it's just "Window." Control Panel is affected majorly by this, since the slide panels are all different sizes, so one has to constantly adjust the size of the window to accomodate the particular slide panel.

- Media Player 12 got stupid. It also no longer opens in a user-controllable size, so on my 1920x1200 panels for example, any non-HD video is postage stamp sized. I found a "trick" to set the default size (open Media Player 12 by itself, switch to Now Playing view, use CTRL while resizing the window to lock it to that size), but since this also applies to audio, audio files will happily open in a HUGE empty Media Player 12 window. Apparently MS believes video files and audio files need the exact same player interface. Unlike previous Media Players there is no way to change this behavior through file extensions.

- File sharing - I guess to shove the Homegroup concept down our throats, they continued the "can't trust any other PC on a network" trend started in Vista. Now, If there's PC-A and PC-B, and you map a drive from PC-A to PC-B even authenticating *as a user on PC-B*, permissions are strictly limited. I haven't yet found a way outside of homegroups to "push" changes to another machine, I can only write to the hard drive of the PC I am actively sitting at. And to make it even better, C: can't be shared in a Homegroup. Joy!

So yeah, there's some quirks I'm annoyed with. They are likely by design. I cry a little inside.

 

It's generally a bad idea to share the root path's. A hacker could then easily get at C:\Windows and screw over your system with virtual ease. As for sharing stuff across two machines, as long as you have the same set of user's on both machines, you should be able to network and share folders between them.

 

AFAIK technet keys aren't available as yet. Maximus says someone from inside mircosoft provided a key.

 

That's correct. Nothing on TechNet apart from the RC stuff. August 6th is when we get 7 RTM and Keys.

 

I know Microsoft just blacklisted the ONLY Lenovo Master OEM Key that was leaked but besides that, I have not heard of any legitimate activation methods as the the master keys used to generate standard keys are all unknown.

 

What's the expiration using the RTM key?

 

What RTM key? If you're legitimately activating it with an RTM key, then... there's no expiration date?

 

I dont know how you got the keys. Its for sure that you illegally activated using some sort of crack.

 

Ya, Bill Gates also emailed me the key and a retail dvd.

 

How is that possible ?

 

Maybe he's referring to "boot" from sleep mode...

 

Although I seriously doubt that he actually has a legally activated copy of 7, it is possible, certain people in the industry have been provided with keys already apparently

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10301015-1.html?tag=mncol;title

Quote "I have had Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (release to manufacturer) for a few days. This is, of course, a legitimate copy, not the leaked copy that you can download from the Internet. That's the good news." - Dong Hong, Cnet.

Whether or not this means he actually has his copy activated, he has obtained it through official channels, so there is the possibility of other people getting it that way too I guess.

 

THERE ARE no legit keys right now period.. except a VERY few people given a pre release..

 

Wow, 7 second boot time? So jealous

 

prob not, I have a thinkpad with a full boot of 11 and a panisonic at 9 from a cold start. and lots of netbooks are in the 8-15

 

def. looking forward to using it myself.
thanks for all the reviews!

 

um i know what boot time is

I have a OCZ vertex and i have my Programs optimized and the OS is optimized

225 mb read can do alot

 

can you explain or post a link on what I need to do to get boot times like that ?

 

15 seconds to boot Win7 and even shorter to shutdown with my system. The sound and GUI are amazing compared to Vista. Regarding the leaked OEM key and activation, how did Microsoft blacklist the key while their validation website hasn't supported Windows 7 yet? I guest we can still use this key until October, but by then there will definitely be heaps of Win7 cracks out there!

 

i keep my startup CLEAN and cut the services i don't need ...

Also i am counting fromt he time windows starts to load not before the MS CRAP animation

 

During the animation, a lot of drivers and system stuff is being loaded from the hard drive. You have to count the time from POST until the desktop appears and you can load IE.

 

I have a copy pre-ordered for October through New Egg with hopes that my Dell D820 Lattitude will be compatible. Is there a safe temporary version of 7 that I could at least test with? I am worried about my Dell 350 Blue Tooth card not working with 7 in 64 bit mode. I would also like to be astounded by Windows 7.

 

You can try out the release candidate. Alternatively, download and run Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

 

Since i would hate to make another thread about this, is it possible for someone to take a quick screenshot of the desktop (taskbar and a window like my computer) with Aero off ?

I really dislike transparent themes so i want to check out how win7 looks without aero off thanks

 

2,055 Windows 7 screen shots.

 

2055 > 1 i guess thanks

 

Patiently waiting for Windows 7 RTM on TechNet. I'm ready to roll. All files backed up, and hardware is just itching to switch to 7!

This is going to be FUN!

 

Same here. Even got a new desktop all ready to go. So you think it'll be available for download 12am Aug 6th?

 

Dunno. I hope so, but most likely 12 noon PST or something silly like that. They need to get their coffee and donuts first.

 

This thread filled up fast.

After I test out my PC games with 7, I'll make my final decision whether to fully upgrade my OS or not. I'm having a LOT less problems and bugs than Vista did, and this is just a RC! That's how you know that this OS is a keeper.

 

I'm running Vista x64 Home Premium on my HP tablet on the original HDD. On an SSD I purchased for this computer, I have Windows 7 RC installed. I absolutely love the performance and look of the new os.

The difference between Vista and 7 on this tablet is extremely noticeable.

I hope I can get the family pack, but if not, I'll get the Upgrade to Home Premium for my Tablet. I do intend to run a legit copy on this computer.

 

I have an SSD also, and the performance is crazy fast. I restart in 50 seconds, and shut down and start up 70% faster than in Vista.

 

Just stuck Win7 RC on my G50 and desktop...start ups, shutdowns, and hibernates feel a ton faster than Vista, although I have no numbers to support that feeling. If this holds true for the retail version, that is enough for me to buy it.

 

1- taskbar amazing i don't need anymore to put application icons on desktop taskbar done it for me dont need to open multiple pages or windows explorer it group them to one single icon
2- boot time fast i mean very fast
3- processor usage great more than great unlike vista which takes about 30 - 50 % now it does not take anything in idle mode
4- how it organize my media library with media player
5- i canceled the idea of using linux or buying a mac
those are the most features i've noticed still testing it for more

i think its the Greatest Operating system ever been made by Microsoft i appreciate what have they done and im going to buy it
totally efficient

 

about point 3: my idle cpu usage is 0. was it with every os so far, is it on vista.

i like your point 5

 

you know you can leave aero enabled and just disable transparency? (hy coolmine )

 

hehe Is there a benefit from having aero enabled if you dont use the transparency feature ? From what ive seen aero drains the battery faster, not by much though, the difference was negligible.

 

actually it should reduce the battery drain, as the gpu is optimized for drawing while the cpu is not => the cpu needs more battery to draw the same window rectangle.

and aero has no artifacts, as it draws the windows on it's own. and it has much more usability features, like the possibly for animations, blendings, previews everywhere, etc. of course, to each it's own, but in general, those enhance the usability of a gui quite much, they're not just "uh shiny"

and the transparency is there for two reasons: one: it's "windows", and now the windows look a bit like windows. and two: the borders and such should not be the main focus. making them transparent glassy lets you focus on the content of the window instead.

 

Problem in my case is that i disable most of them. Got no windows animation at all, just hate them. The only thing im not sure is if the drawing of windows is faster with aero on (which i cant test at the moment due to a zillion services disabled ). Not sure about aero and battery but since a lot of people make programs that disable aero when the notebook is on battery i presumed that it was for that reason.

I kinda like the idea of using gpu power to draw windows since usually when you are doing stuff in windows the gpu is just sitting there idle. Im planning to give it a try on win7 to see if theres a different with it on and off but i hope they allowed users to turn off features like aero shake etc or its straight to the bin!

 

It doesn't differ much from Vista.

 

Yeah, you don't get stuck desktops like in XP.

 

Why would you want to turn off aero shake? I'm sure you'd have to deliberately activate it for it to work, anyway. These new features are considered innovations. Granted, they're not desired by everyone, but it certainly doesn't make or break the OS itself. If you don't want transparency and you don't want these new features, then just stick with XP?

 

The differences are where it counts however.

 

Now you are comparing the looks with the actual core ?

People like flashy cars for eg, i dont. And the same goes for windows, i hate fancy features, colors, themes and so on... Prefer simple UI's. Now saying i have to go back to windows 95 because i like those things is beyond silliness. The way people perceive beauteousness is not the same...

On a positive note, it would be nice if all those extra things, like aero shake for eg came disabled but there if people wanted to enable it, saves me the trouble