Windows 7 Guide - New Features

Zardon · Aug 12, 2009, 02:24 PM

Read The Article Here
_________________
In anticipation of Windows 7 going on sale in October we are publishing a selection of articles which will help our readers get the most out of the operating system. Last month we published a guide explaining how to install Windows 7 and this month we take a look at some of the new and enhanced features the operating system offers over Vista and XP.

Further articles on Windows 7 will be appearing on Driverheaven in the run up to the release later this year.

BlueMak · Aug 12, 2009, 03:19 PM

I have not used 7 so take that into consideration.

From the visual changes, the only one I find remotely interesting and better, is the Aero Shake. I would definitely use it a lot.

I do not like at all how the new taskbar is. I haven't used it and I already hate it. (something that the writer of the article says it is possible depending on the person).

The Action Centre looks promising.

I am dissapointed though with the XP "mode". If it would allow you to use your system as it is (with the full power of the graphics card etc) so that the XP mode was that and not a glorified Virtual PC 2009, it would be a great move and make 7 so much more interesting, to me.

Thanks DH for the article, it is nice to have these kind of articles.

procupine14 · Aug 12, 2009, 03:46 PM

Yeah I'm a little disappointed with the "XP Mode" as well. Using it in a real-time situation is a little disheartening. Mostly because the whole reason for this mode to be useful to me is playing games. So I guess that means I will have to reatain my multi-boot of linux XP and 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

I do not like at all how the new taskbar is. I haven't used it and I already hate it. (something that the writer of the article says it is possible depending on the person).

It is a little funky. The new taskbar kinda reminds me of something that could be described as the illigitimate child of Mac OS dock thing and Windows Vista start bar.

Based on my using it for a few months now thats exactly what it feels like to me

IvanV · Aug 12, 2009, 10:24 PM

I tried both the beta and the RC and I liked the changes made to the UI. The new task bar seemed a little gimmicky at first, but after I got used to it I'd say that it's definitely superior to it's previous incarnations.

Shake and snap also seemed handy.

Action Center, on the other hand, felt more annoying than anything with it's balloons that kept popping up with the same messages warning me about some things I deliberately did over and over again, until I told it not to produce any notifications anymore and that was a shame because occasionally it would say something useful. As it is, I'd say it'll be useful to average home users who will do well to follow it's advice while the more experienced ones won't bother with it too much.

P.S. Nice article, it's a decent glimpse into what people can expect.

Mac Daddy · Aug 13, 2009, 02:05 AM

Nicely written and there are a number of nice features in this OS. I have been playing with it for a while now and perhaps this might persuade others to try it out instead of simply saying it sucks ... it doesn't

Lupine · Aug 16, 2009, 01:19 AM

Fact check on Blu-ray playback claim:

Quote:

Additionally Windows Media Centre has a makeover to enhance its ease of use and it now supports Blu-Ray playback.

While I haven't used used the RTM yet (currently running RC1 7100), my own experience along with articles I've read on the topic of Win7 Blu-ray support suggest that it is not supported in Media Center or Media Player. If that has or will change, I'll applaud the move since, without it, Win7 media functionality feels outdated from the get-go.

Aug 12, 2009, 02:24 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	Windows 7 Guide - New Features Read The Article Here _________________ In anticipation of Windows 7 going on sale in October we are publishing a selection of articles which will help our readers get the most out of the operating system. Last month we published a guide explaining how to install Windows 7 and this month we take a look at some of the new and enhanced features the operating system offers over Vista and XP. Further articles on Windows 7 will be appearing on Driverheaven in the run up to the release later this year.

Aug 12, 2009, 03:19 PM	#2
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,242 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 Guide - New Features I have not used 7 so take that into consideration. From the visual changes, the only one I find remotely interesting and better, is the Aero Shake. I would definitely use it a lot. I do not like at all how the new taskbar is. I haven't used it and I already hate it. (something that the writer of the article says it is possible depending on the person). The Action Centre looks promising. I am dissapointed though with the XP "mode". If it would allow you to use your system as it is (with the full power of the graphics card etc) so that the XP mode was that and not a glorified Virtual PC 2009, it would be a great move and make 7 so much more interesting, to me. Thanks DH for the article, it is nice to have these kind of articles. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Aug 12, 2009, 10:24 PM	#4
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,651 Rep Power: 280 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 Guide - New Features I tried both the beta and the RC and I liked the changes made to the UI. The new task bar seemed a little gimmicky at first, but after I got used to it I'd say that it's definitely superior to it's previous incarnations. Shake and snap also seemed handy. Action Center, on the other hand, felt more annoying than anything with it's balloons that kept popping up with the same messages warning me about some things I deliberately did over and over again, until I told it not to produce any notifications anymore and that was a shame because occasionally it would say something useful. As it is, I'd say it'll be useful to average home users who will do well to follow it's advice while the more experienced ones won't bother with it too much. P.S. Nice article, it's a decent glimpse into what people can expect. __________________ Our Folding@home stats:

Aug 13, 2009, 02:05 AM	#5
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 Guide - New Features Nicely written and there are a number of nice features in this OS. I have been playing with it for a while now and perhaps this might persuade others to try it out instead of simply saying it sucks ... it doesn't __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen