Almost two years ago Windows Vista operational system was ready for release. But it release was two months later 01.30.2007. During two months from the system??™s release till the appearing of it in the shop, a lot of enthusiast ant that who likes to test something new, downloaded it on the computers, and it was able to be seen on our forum that was full of questions like ???where are the Windows Vista drivers????.
Half a year later we have observed cardinal another questions like: ???I??™ve bought a laptop, hate Windows Vista, and have set XP, where can I find the drivers for XP???? With the course of time that questions were became more and more and they exist till this time. It obliged us to write the article how to search the needed drivers for laptops with OS Widows XP.
The Microsoft work didn't get going with corporate market. And it has more impact. These are tens of thousands computers. And if Vista was downloaded on them, for sure there users may want to download it on home computers, to solve a problem quickly on Home PC and so different OS versions won??™t affect the speed of the solving.
Mass media became to talk gingerly, linked on the different companies??™ sources of information, that if corporations will move to another Widows version, there is every likelihoodthat it will be the next generation of OS. Microsoft influenced it with the announcement that there will not so long time OS development, like Vista had. At the beginning the Microsoft affirmed boldly that there will be no more than 2 years between the releases of new OS generations. But then there were not talks on the topic. And it is not surprisingly, because the next Windows release should been took place three months after the start of Vista sales.
Rather interesting situation occurred with Windows code names. From the beginning we??™d like to remind that Windows 2000 has the ordinal version number ??“ 5.0. Windows XP ??“ 5.1, Windows Server 2003 (and Server 2003 and XP 64-bit Edition) ??“ 5.2. 6.0 version should have the OS with Blackcomb code name, and before it one more OS with code name Longhorn was planed with version index 5.x (between 5.2 and 6.0). But at the end Microsoft decided to reject the Blackcomb, implanted a number of planned innovations in the Longhorn and released it with Windows Vista official name that got the 6.0 version.
From the beginning next Windows version was known as
But with the inside version is not all clear. Judging by the demonstrated builds Windows 7 has 6.1 kernel version. And looking at the list of modifications and innovations there will be a lot of distinctions between Windows Vista and Windows 7. But they will not be cardinal. Exemplarity they will as Windows 2000 and XP have. Not for nothing the drivers for the first OS do for the second one almost for 100 %. It is because of kernel??™s similarity. Running ahead we??™d like to notice that Vista drivers do for Windows 7 partially. But Microsoft is able to change the inside OS version to the 7.0 before the final release, and then bare discord will disappear by itself. But the sense of our small ???tirade??? is the following: don??™t wait for principal changes in Windows 7. Everything indicates for it will be got into shape Windows Vista.
And now there are some words about the preliminary builds. Then the 6589 version followed. Task Manager was modified in it. Next build was 6780 in what some standard applications had the interface like Microsoft Office 2007 has. And at least build 6933, that was demonstrated at the recently passed conference PDC 2008. There are more modifications in it. Among them there is new Taskbar.
Ad interim there is the 6801 build leakage in Internet. And we could get it copy in our availability. It helped us to examine the rough modifications level in Windows 7 as compared with Vista. We??™d like to tell about the results in this article.
We used Fujitsu Siemens ESPRIMO V5535 laptop for the new OS download. Notice, that it is middle class mobile computer with Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 (1.86 GHz) processor, with very small for Vista RAM of 1 GB. As a chip set we??™ve used SiSM672 with integrated kernel SiS Mirage Graphics 3.
System Properties
We??™ve got the 64-bit Windows 7. SiS UniVGA 5 drivers do for it perfectly. They are available from our catalogue. And sound HD Audio Realtek codec and Net Manager Wi-Fi from Atheros the system founded correctly and set drivers for them. We didn??™t set other units. Our aim was to verify new features of Windows 7 but not to test it on the compatibility with equipment.
Taskbar and Start Menu
Let start with the most important and most noticeable modification ??“ new Taskbar and that is named ???Superbar??™ in Internet. Direct after the download empty Desktop is appeared with the Recline Bin and Vista phone and with the Taskbar of the strict type. There are no gadgets too.
Windows 7 Desktop with the old Taskbar
Our ordinary wish was to switch on Superbar. And for this purpose we have got on the Textbar properties.
Windows 7 Taskbar Properties
There was not any switcher in the Properties. The window was modified as compared with Windows Vista but all parameters were saved.
Start Menu Properties for Windows 7
Notice that there is not old classic Start Menu in Widows 7 that was used as default in Windows 2000 and was available in Windows XP and Vista.
But let back to the Superbar. Of cause we??™ve decided that new Taskbar exists only in 6933 build. But after some sites stading it appears that it is in the 6801 build too, but it is hided. Never the less there were some experts were able to fix this disadvantage. To see Superbar it should to do some actions. And the first is to download small program-patch:
The program should be extracted and saved in Windows folder. Then we should to do come commands in cmd. Notice that the latest should be downloaded with Administrator.
Running the taskbar from Administrator
Following wars would be appeared:
takeown /f %windir%\explorer.exe
cacls %windir%\explorer.exe /E /G "%USERNAME%":F
taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
cd %windir%
start unlockProtectedFeatures.exe
It is possible to place them as bat-file and run all of then.
Opening or saving the secured functions
After fulfilling the latest row there will be the window with two switchers. They offer to open secured functions or to hide them. We need the first one. After the Launch button pressing there is the Window Explorer with new Taskbar.
Windows 7 Desktop with new Taskbar
When the Superbar is selected let see it opportunities.
New Windows 7 Taskbar
Previous Windows 7 Taskbar
New Taskbar is wider. Now the round Windows logo that is the Start button is contained completely, and isn??™t on the Desktop. There are small and large icons on the right from it. The small icons are the traditional Quick Launch. And the large icons are duplicated the different Windows bars functions, that were available in Windows 98. It is the shortcut that is placed on the Taskbar. More right from them other marks periodically appear and disappear. They are framed. They designate this or that opened application. If open an application from a "permanent" label, it also will be framed.
Context Menu of an open application on the Taskbar
When selecting an application icon there is a small error that is caused the Context Menu. It is possible to show out an application on a foreground through it, or to fasten or "unfasten" a label from a taskbar.
Extended Context Menu of application on the Taskbar
Sometimes an application can have the extended context menu. Such behavior we discovered at some Microsoft Windows 7 applications. So Paint and Wordpad have the list of the last opened documents, Windows Explorer select folders have the list that is able to modify by own taste, and Windows Media Player has a point of music reproducing. It is necessary to suppose there is possibility to create such menu for any program ??” developers will require doing a few changes in the code of application.
Open application preview
When selecting a button in open Windows Vista application there is a small picture with opened in this moment window of the application. In Windows 7 this option was modified. Now if select the cursor on the picture there will be the cross button in the right top. It closes the application.
Extended preview of the open application
Some applications have the extended options of the preview. In particular at Windows Media Player it is possible to manage reproducing, to disconnect a sound.
One application Window grouping
Windows grouping was modified too. The icon on the Taskbar has some tabs if two and more windows are opened.
Application preview when some windows are opened
When selecting ok clicking the icon there is the preview of all opened windows. It is possible to select one of them or to close them one by one.
Right side of Windows 7 Taskbar
Not only time but the date too is in the right side now. There is the button for all windows hiding in the right corner. The additional icons are hidden by default. They are appeared when pressing the button with up arrow. They are appeared in the separate window and don??™t as in the Windows XP and Windows Vista from the left.
Icons setting in the Windows 7 Taskbar
To set it behavior it is possible through the Notification Area Icons. That is available after Customize button pressing or through the Control Panel.
System icons setting in the Windows 7 Taskbar
System icons parameters modify through the System Icons that is selected in the Control Panel too. It is set by another way in Windows Vista.
Icons on the area of notification as buttons
Notice that the icons of the notification area are buttons now. It is highlighted when selected.
Vertical Taskbar in Windows 7
It is possible to set the vertical position of the Taskbar in Windows 7. It is more convenient then the previous was.
On the previous bar located in this manner, the buttons of the opened applications are not placed on length fully, that does not very much comfortable distinction of the programs. But in the case of new bar large marks identically look both in horizontal, and in vertical variants.
Superbar Settings
Superbar has a little more settings then the previous bar has.
Start Menu with the list of the latest Paint docs
And some words about Start menu modifications. We notice the arrows near the names of the programs, that is located in the list of programs that is often used. Only standard Microsoft programs have arrows. They duplicate the extended context menu for the icons in the Superbar. So it is the list of latest opened files for Paint and WordPad and Play All Music for Windows Media Player.
We??™d like to mention that Superbar on it realization is It would be desirable to notice that Superbar on the realization a few reminds the panel of Dock from Mac OS X. The icons of the programs are also disposed in the last, part from which there is on "permanent basis". An application has the context menu which can have own points. But the grouping of windows of one program is executed differently, as well as preview of window.
Control Panel
Certain changes happened in a control panel. Foremost Microsoft continued to be delivered from "archaisms", remaining in Windows Vista yet from times Windows 2000. In particular the question is about the "classic" type of control panel. It is fully abolished now. On the left only there is an icon of return to the main page of panel.
Main window of the Windows 7 Control Panel
The icons style is the same. The grouping on the sections is saved too.
All ? settings of the Windows 7 Control Panel
Nevertheless, the certain analogue of "classic" control panel was saved. It is the point of All Control Panel Items. It opens the list of all settings. We will notice that list is more evident, than in Windows Vista.
Now quickly will look through the old (but changed) and new settings of Windows 7.
Getting Started in Windows 7
When Windows Vista is loaded it welcomes you with the window of Getting Started. In Windows 7 such is, but it is in the uncompleted kind.
Windows 7 Network Settings
The interface of Network settings and Network Connecting was changed. A few subsections appeared.
Net connections Informer in Windows 7
Informer about off-wire networks, appearing at a click on the Wi-Fi icon in a taskbar was changed too.
Windows 7 Regional Settings
The regional settings were changed insignificantly too. Now the formats of date and time are set on the first tab.
Windows Firewall Setting in Windows 7
Windows Firewall also was changed. We will remind that Vista brendmauer in a great deal reminded the Windows XP one. Now the current parameters of Firewall operations are in the window of settings.
Settings of operations in Windows 7 Firewall
To switch off or on Windows Firewall it is possible by clicking on Turn Windows Firewall reference on or off, that is on a panel on the left.
Windows Solution Center
Continuing about safety of the system settings will notice that WindowsSecurityCenter was transferable on WindowsSolutionCenter. The functions of them are approximately identical. The interface is changed a little.
Clear Type Settings Windows 7 Fonts
A separate Manager is appeared for it settings ??” Cleartype Text Manager. It is possible to influence the reflection of text by the best appearance under the preferences now.
Manager biometric devices settings in Windows 7
One more new feature is Credential Manager. It saves credentials as username and password. It will be offered to save the data when the user will be on any site or paid recourses.
Biometric devices settings in ? Windows 7
The parameters of work with the biometric scanners of imprints of fingers were taken away in the separate setting (Biometric Devices). Unfortunately, our laptop hasn??™t such option, so that this section in Windows 7 for us was emptied.
Touch-controls settings in Windows 7
Some laptops are equipped the special touch-controls for an orientation in space. In particular the similar are presented at Apple Macbook and Macbook Pro. Location and Other Sensors are for their setting now.
Screen Calibration in Windows 7
The new Display Color Calibration allows by the best appearance to set? brightness, contrast and color rendition of monitor. To tell the true, it is not so topically for a laptop, because it screen is more frequent than all and allows to change a brightness only.
Screen settings in Windows 7
Screen permission settings are grouped separately. They are in the Display part. It is possible to change permission of fonts, orientation of screen, it permission and brightness. We will notice that before these settings were available from the Personalize part that is in the subsection in Windows 7.
Registration Settings in Windows 7
Now it is suggested to choose one of pre-installed theme. Under it list there are icons for access to more fine-setting of current theme: base-line picture, color and style of windows, sounds and illumination. We will notice that it is more comfortable and more evident.
Gadgets Settings in Windows 7
Gadgets settings are moved in a separate section on the control panel. We will notice that gadgets in Windows 7 are not disposed on Sidebar Panel, but in any place of screen.
System recovery in Windows 7
There is one more section appeared for system renew, which is named Recovery. It is possible to do a recoil to the points of renew, if such were done before.
Section for the computer work problems decision in Windows 7
For the problems decision with a computer (for example, conflicts of equipment or compatibility old software with new Windows) there is Troubleshooting section.
Software
Now will quickly look through the standard programs, supplied with Windows 7 and which changed it interface.
Windows Explorer in Windows 7
Windows Explorer in Windows Vista was sufficiently strong changed. In respect of it analogue in Windows 7, registration is changed hardly. Toolbar is under address bar is light-grey now; there is another interface of the left panel, where folders are selected. We did not find out serious changes in functionality.
Calculator in Windows 7
The wave of news swept In Internet that Windows 7 will differ from Vista only by a calculator. Certainly, it far from truth ??” changes where anymore. But a calculator is changed. Now it has four office hours: Standard, Scientific, Programmer and Statistics. There are the additional modes: Date Calculation, Templates, and Unit Conversion. Registration is changed too ??” the window of calculations has many strings now, it supports history of operations, aborting of one or another action. The buttons have other original interface now. On the whole it became more evident and functional.
Microsoft Paint in Windows 7
Microsoft WordPad in Windows 7
Ears regarding introduction of ribbon-interface from Office 2007 in some standard programs of Windows 7 were confirmed. Paint and Wordpad remind the application from last version of Microsoft Office. However, the functionality was not extended considerably.
Windows Media Player 12
Windows 7 is supplied with Windows Media Player 12, while there is version 11 in Vista. There are not a lot of interface changes ??” new player became lighter, and the grouping of sections was changed.
About Internet Explorer 8
Certainly new Windows will get new Internet Explorer. IE 8 version now is actively tested and already is on the stage of Beta 2. We do not know exactly the beta-version was in Windows 7 build 6801. We don??™t show the IE 8 Maim window screenshot, as it does not differ from IE 7 practically.
Windows PowerShell V2 in Windows 7
Windows PowerShell V2 ISE in Windows 7
From the new programs of Windows 7 we can mark Windows Powershell V2. It is the special tool for administrators, being the extended version of cmd. It is possible to use both ordinary and special commands in it (so-called cmdlet). Thus it can have the string folding. The special instrument of Windows Powershell V2 Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) is appeared even with a graphic interface for writing and debugging of scripts. In general the first version of Powershell is appeared in Windows Server 2003. Not eliminated, that the second version will be supplied only with the server version of Windows 7. Obviously it is an instrument for administrators.
In spite of the fact that we dealt with Windows 7 Ultimate, it contained the uncompleted set of applications that is revealed in Vista Ultimate. So in particular we were not able to find Windows Mail, and also programs for work with multimedia and others. It is evidently, these applications are on the stage of revision and Microsoft decided not to include their old versions in the complement of the preliminary assembling of Windows 7.
Our conclusion
The first loss of Windows 7 allowed us to estimate the exemplary way of next Microsoft OS development. Obviously there will be not so "revolutionary" event, as Windows Vista. Level of compatibility with applications In Windows 7 will not be worse than in Vista. General conception of interface will be the Vista one. But there will be a lot of insignificant modifications. A taskbar will be cardinally processed ??” in fact first time from Windows 95.
Certainly will be produced the work on new system optimization. To tell the true, our assembling did not feel shy to "eat" 600 MByte of RAM, when in the system practically there were not set any programs and none of them was started. However, we all the same dealt with the preliminary assembling of Windows 7. To the final release a situation can change in the best way.
Another necessity optimization is arrival of Windows 7 on net books. To tell the true, there some questions. First from them ??” whether the special version of "seven" will be produced for net books? And second ??” if it??™ll be, how will it differ from a "original"? It is should not forget that to 2010 years the power of net books will grow up: they will be provided with Duo Core processors, 2-3 GB RAM, similarly as well as the capacity of the fixed memory will rise. So Windows XP will be really to "fly" on them. But there is the problem??” Microsoft will stop the Windows XP sales to the release of Windows 7.
So, our opinion is: Windows 7 has all chances to get hold popularity, not reached Vista. "Seven" promises to be better optimized, to have finished off and more comfortable interface, and also will be provided with more high stability and reliability of work. We will hope that these modifications will happen to the moment of the release. It is sorry only, that it is not quite "real" Windows 7, and only version 6.1. For this moment at least.
