Windows 7, What you need to know....

[Chippiewill]

I was bored and it is 2:30 1st of January as I am writing this!!!

[INTRODUCTION]

Windows 7 is the latest generation of Microsoft Windows and is formally known as Vienna. Windows 7 is called it's name due to it being Windows V7 and if you check rev numbers, rev 7***. Windows 7 is mostly going to be a stripped down version of Vista with some new features and the old good ones.

[FEATURES]

The superbar (Well, basically an improved task bar)
Wallpapers based on where you live. (If you use google then you can find some pictures of them)
Kernel (sort of) the kernel is based off vista but there have been some major improvements on top of the original Vista release that have been included in vista service packs. (There is a way to get sp2 for vista now legally)
Hypervisor Sadly I have no idea what this is, something to do with virtualisation
Improved UAC The UAC is now more advanced so that you can change on which occurances and which programs it will pop up. E.g. you have a porn program that you dont want your kids on...
Improved first boot When you first boot windows 7 the setup process will be much faster and more effective. A bit like a mac where you can be connected to the internet and using it within 3 minutes
New Gui style The new GUI style called Scenic is going to be more customised and 'friendly'. From what I can tell it will be similar to aero
Libraries Special shell folders (the ones that programs can call the link to) such as Document and Pictures
Explorer Updates Quite a few changes, one being a new file viewer style (like list and details) called Content which is a preview mode
Accelerators Seems like you can download accelerators that will give voice commands and keyboard shortcuts to do things like blog define things
Multi touch One of the main features of Windows 7 is improved touch pad functionality
Reduced preinstalled programs Programs such as Windows Mail and Windows movie maker will not be preinstalled and will save time on bootup and installation. These will be made optional via the Windows Live service.
Sidebar It's gone thankgod, The gadgets will be placeable on the desktop and loaded into applications from the 'Gadget Gallery'
Windows Solution Centre Pretty much replaces the security centre except it gives you links to anti-virus downloads
Improved sharing Once again Microsoft is striving to improve the way that windows shares files (Vista greatly improved on networking) and allows you to change which folders are shared
Updated programs (minor) IE8, Paint with ribbon interface, Wordpad with ribbon, Calculator greatly improved, A linux keyring like system, yet simpler display setting, Biometric control panel (e.g. finger print reader). Virtual desktop (finnaly)

[HOW TO GET IT]

Link A [TORRENT]:
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4602...-GENUiNE.iMAGE - First beta of Windows 7

Link B (Japaneseish) [P2P on HTTP protocol somehow] [!!!VERY COMPLICATED!!!]
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/1...ipan-download/

Sadly x64 systems have to wait a little bit longer


I haven't actually tried 7 yet and I will give updates when I do get to try. it!

[IMAGES & LINKS]

http://jamesy.coltsplayground.net/images/7 - Thanks to Jamesy

[Jamesy]

http://jamesy.coltsplayground.net/images/7


Various bits of media if you want to look

[DaveTaylor]

http://www.davtaylor.org/blog/?p=3

[Josh-H]

Am I the only one who doesn't see how this is a major improvement?
Is the theme going to change or anything?

I think the new superbar was a much needed advancement but what else really is a huge advancement.

I'm glad they are streamlining it though

[Recursion]

The theme has greatly changed :S

All of the improvements are posted above, and they are doing a lot of code optimizing in the back end.

[illegal]

It was leaked over Chisence / Russian forums 31/12 - 01/01, it's pretty much all over the internet, I doubt mircosoft are pleased with it leaking so quickly. Hopefully they are not going to release it early like they did with Vista, with loads of bugs which they didn't know about. I'm still using XP, I doubt W7 is worth upgrading to, I think it's going to be like Vista and have issues with software/hardware.

[Chippiewill]

It was leaked over Chisence / Russian forums 31/12 - 01/01, it's pretty much all over the internet, I doubt mircosoft are pleased with it leaking so quickly. Hopefully they are not going to release it early like they did with Vista, with loads of bugs which they didn't know about. I'm still using XP, I doubt W7 is worth upgrading to, I think it's going to be like Vista and have issues with software/hardware.

I doubt it, w7 is basically going to be vista but fixed so it works properly. It is the whole point of w7 at the moment.

@below "Windows 7 is Windows 6.1" Actually Windows Server 2008 was 6.1 (if you have used it you would know that) They would have put Windows 7 as the same but people would get confused.

[Decode]

It was leaked over Chisence / Russian forums 31/12 - 01/01, it's pretty much all over the internet, I doubt mircosoft are pleased with it leaking so quickly. Hopefully they are not going to release it early like they did with Vista, with loads of bugs which they didn't know about. I'm still using XP, I doubt W7 is worth upgrading to, I think it's going to be like Vista and have issues with software/hardware.

Since there is no major kernel changes (Vista was Windows 6.0, Windows 7 is Windows 6.1. I know its confusing :S) there shouldn't be any software or hardware issues. I have only had 1 software issue so far (no hardware issues) and that was with Sandboxie which trys to dig its self into the kernel so that's may be why.

[DaveTaylor]

It was leaked on the 26th just seems to be you lot are really slow lol

[Decode]

It was leaked on the 26th just seems to be you lot are really slow lol

I was going to download it but then someone told me it will be on Microsoft's site on the 5th so I'm gonna wait till then.