Laid Back Lounge

[Crucial_r2datu]

What kind of attributes about Windows 7 are you looking forward to? Any expectations or apprehension?

Our own moderators have listed the top features they're excited to see and try in the new release:

• HomeGroup
• the fact that the 32-bit and 64-bit are on the same disc
• SkyDrive
• live taskbar previews
• the full version of WinXP in a virtual machine so you can still run older software that won't run in 7

Our marketing team has also been working on Windows 7 launch pages on the Crucial site at

http://www.crucial.com/windows7

http://www.crucial.com/uk/windows7/

Share any feedback and comments you may have on the new Microsoft operating system...

[lordgllynn]

What do I like about Win 7... How about, for starters, having an OS that doesn't randomly crash from time to time with no events getting logged into the Event Viewer. Full and complete hardware/driver compatibility. No more security pop ups (UAC) every time you try to install something. Better utilization of memory and video renderering. Out of the box support for SSDs. Less constrained personalization of system apps, links and desktop. 32/64 bit installs both available. Less system requirements.

I'm still betting there is a Service Pack available within 6 months though. It's just the way Microsoft is...

[Thrackan]

I've been testing around for a while with the Release Candidate (x64). I switched from XP x64 edition to the Windows 7 RC, so I won't compare to Vista (never really used it).

Overall I've had a great experience testing Windows 7. Not even once did I have the tendency to go back to XP x64, the OS that has served me very well in the last couple of years.

Do likes:

- It "feels clean". Not that much bloat or things that you simply never use. They are there, but not in the way of the things you DO use.

- Search bar in the Start Menu. That thing is brilliant!

- Had 1 BSOD problem, which was due to beta GFX card drivers on a new GFX card (Ati HD5850). Not Windows' fault.

- Unresponsive programs? Haven't had them since the switch.

- It looks frickin' sleek! Plus, I actually like some of the standard backgrounds for a change.

- Thread handling and core load balancing, I love it.

- DirectX 10.1 and soon DirectX 11 (as compared to XP of course)

- UAC can simply be adjusted by means of a slider.

- Runs smooth on a VIA C7 1.5Ghz with 1Gb RAM and onboard VIA graphics!

- Plug in multiple keyboards at the same time! (Found this out when I spilled coke on my keyboard)

- XP mode (the Virtual machine thingy) can emulate 32-bit XP on a 64-bit Win 7. Great for those nasty incompatibilities (Cisco IPSec client anyone?)

Don't likes:

- Large icons. Yuck.

- Still a lot of extra schmuck on a "clean" install. I still miss Advanced install options.

- I STILL get all those extra "Are you sure you want to open this and that file" dialogs, even with UAC completely turned low. I don't want to click OK twice to open a **bleep** file!

- Still some issues with window positioning that doesn't work too well. Those might be better in the official released version though.

- Signed driver packages. I understand why they want us to use it, but I want to be able to turn it off.

[lordgllynn]

Thracken,

I believe you can adjust the size of the icons on the desktop by right clicking on the desktop, click view and select classic icons.

[cutthegrass]

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Thrackan wrote:

Don't likes:

- Large icons. Yuck.

- Still a lot of extra schmuck on a "clean" install. I still miss Advanced install options.

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if you feel comfortable editing the windows install files, there is a program called vLite that will allow you to trim down the install of Windows vista and windows 7. you can completely remove components. you may compromise stability if you take too much out, but luckily at the vLite forums, there is a thread devoted to things that are safe to remove from windows7. Or you can slipstream in updates, hotfixes and service packs, or your favorite programs like Firefox and your favorite antivirus and burning program so that you don't need to do it after you install.  It also allows you to tweak settings for your folders, display, theme, wallpaper, what icons are on the start menu, what icons AREN'T on the start menu.  I've only really used nLite to fully create a working deployment of XP because its a little easier to slim down by 40% and still retain all major functionality.  just google vlite or nLite and make sure you sign up for the forums cuz you'll more than likely need to reference some threads there.