I just finished installing the Windows 7 Beta version released by Microsoft on Friday. I installed it on my Toshiba Intel dual-core processor with 4 GB of RAM. It was running Windows Vista which took more than 4 minutes to fully boot (I consider the boot up process to be finished when the hard drive stops spinning and I don’t have to compete with a still booting computer to do what I want to do), and running any applications was like walking through molasses. I can say that my expectations were pretty low, but I am pleasantly surprised…so far.
- It took exactly 21 minutes from when I inserted the install DVD until I reached a workable desktop. Very impressive! The setup was painless and required very little input. In fact, it was so easy, I think that the folks at Microsoft must have taken a page out of the Linux/Ubuntu installs. It was easily the fastest and easiest install of any version of Windows. I hope it doesn’t change much with the final version.
- Bootup time is faster than Vista too. With my fresh install of Windows 7 and no security software, boot time was just under 2 minutes.
- Overall, the new OS feels snappy and clean. I haven’t seen any User Account Control (UAC) pop-ups yet.
- On my Toshiba laptop, like Linux, I didn’t have to install a single driver. Once the quick install finished, my wireless, Ethernet, sound, video, SD card, and web cam all worked perfectly.
- Microsoft has revamped and simplified the wireless connectivity…again very Ubuntuish in my opinion.
- This beta version of Windows 7 also includes the new Internet Explorer 8 which doesn’t feel much different than 8, but is supposed to be more compatible and flexible than 7. I will test it a little, but still prefer Firefox. I will probably install Google Chrome as well to see how it runs in Windows 7.
- The revamped Start menu has a new feature that when you hover on a recently used program it will also present to you your most recently used documents for that program. Nice.
- The taskbar has also been changed, but I need to work with it some more before deciding exactly how those features affect uability and productivity.
- I plan on installing AVG or Avast antivirus and OpenOffice to test them and will report more about speed and usability.
I’m writing this article and took the two screenshots in Windows 7 using the Snipping Tool introduced with Vista. I did use picnik.com to edit the photos, however, since the updated Paint program, although it does have a new Crop and Resize feature, the resize feature doesn’t have much flexibility.
Stay tuned for more articles about Windows 7 leading up to its release later this year, or early next year. If there are questions YOU have about Windows 7, leave a comment below and I will test them out for you.
Related articles:
- I finally did it
- Don’t buy a new computer yet
- Demand compensation from Microsoft
- Mission Accomplished
- Windows Vista SP1 – WOW!
Tags: antivirus, AVG, Firefox, hard drive, Internet, Internet Explorer, laptop, linux, Microsoft, Office, openoffice, photos, Security, ubuntu, update, virus, Windows
Loading ...
HelpMeRick.com started as a monthly tip site for beginners in 1996, and now supports our popular call-in computer show, and hosts thousands of useful computer tips and links.
i just wanted to know if there is a release date for windows 7 and when that may be and what they might be asking for it im definately interested i hate vista so much that i downgraded to xp and have had my fingers crossed for a long time hopeing that microsoft would come out with something that wasnt such a hog
Windows 7 will be released in mid-October…I have a story on that here at HelpMeRick. And if the final release is like the latest betas, it will be eons better than Vista.
Windows 7 works phenomenally! I ditched Vista as soon as I could and never went back…In fact, I have used ‘7′ ever since beta as my Main operating system. My sister uses Vista and bitches everyday about it. I am trying to convince her to switch. Oh and the Release Candidate (RC) is avail until AUG 20 and will last until June 2010 before it deactivates itself (you get a two week warning first) and you must buy a copy or go to something else.
When everything is defragged and organized and no misc startup programs, my HP DV6446us Laptop will start in under a minute. I would even dare to say 30 seconds. My start up list includes Avira Anti-virus, utorrent, and some small utility programs.
It indeed is a pleasant surprise…I just wish Microsoft would test the beta version (Vista) on their own instead of releasing it on us! Thanks for stopping by!
I too downloaded the Windows 7 beta version but didn’t use it that long. I put it on Sun Virtual Box on a PC running Windows XP and surprisingly everything worked except Aero theme. It was fast only using a GB of memory and 20GB of install room. I liked the new start bar and menu. I used the jump lists the most out of everything. IE 8 integration into the OS was great, but I still prefer Firefox. I can’t wait until this version of Windows is released so I can buy it. I just wish it had workspaces like Linux and “Spaces” that Mac stole.
can i upgrade to windows 7 on my compaq computer it has windows vista service pack1 it has 1 gig of memory without any problems also do i need to delete the internet explorer 7 icon on my desktop before i download windows 7 or not so the internet explorer 8 icon be there in its place on my desktop
Windows 7 is the next generation of Windows…it isn’t an application you download and install.
Oh ok i need the install dvd and if i have a compaq desktop computer with 1 gig of memory with windows vista do you say its good idea to get the install dvd for windows7 to upgrade my computer or should i get more memory for my computer money is tight though
Beta means that this is a TEST version…it is NOT to be used on a full-time computer, and it will ONLY work until August. The real Windows 7 will cost probably between $200-400 and not be released until late this year or early next year.
Rick,
Let us know if you hear of any compatibility issues with either hardware or software. I mean the major stuff, like video drivers or printers. I remember the switch from 98 to XP and that many printers did not work with XP.
I haven’t heard you talk so good about Microsoft in a long time. Are you feeling OK?
Walter in Phoenix
Microsoft promises that compatibility will be better with this version of Windows. However, that appears to be only for two reasons: 1) Vendors who have created Vista compatible products/drivers will have no problem with Windows 7, and 2) New products released since Vista’s release 2 years ago will be compatible. Microsoft shows no sign of making XP specific third party software any more compatible with 7 that it is with Vista. I will continue to explore all these issues, though.
And, yes, I’m feeling fine. I have never been a Microsoft basher, Norton basher, etc. I just call a spade a spade. That’s why I DO claim to be an AOL basher because although they brought many new people to the Internet, their software, customer service, and pricing plans over the years have been horrid.
I’ve uninstalled Vista three times on different new computers it came with, because of its paranoid attitude.
Vista sees me as an enemy, and refuses to let me move files, adapt files, reinstall from one computer to another via USB portable drives. I couldn’t even move a powerPoint slide presentation from an XP machine to Vista, using OFFICE 2007 on both computers!
I got sick and tired of this nonsense, even though I was a so-called administrator on the Vista machines – Not to mention the slowness of the system even with 2GB memory. Is Windows 7 a disguise name for the rotten VISTA OS?
Rick, does 7 seem to be the memory hog that Vista is? Judging from the imporved boot times it doesn’t seem so or did they just scale down the boot menu?
For what its worth: bleepingcomputer.com posters mostly like what they see of the Windows 7 Beta.
I agree. I haven’t had a chance to use it a lot yet, but Windows 7 appears to be a significant improvement over Vista. For the person asking about the beta, go here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
Thanks Rick. Ever since I listened to you when I lived in Mt. Crested Butte, CO I have thought highly of your advice. I got rid of Norton and have had AVG for years now, never had AOL (used their IM) and got others away from AOL.
Although I have Vista, I really hope that 7 is better, and faster. Vista is such a resource hog.
Walter
I am a beta nut where do I get a windows 7 disk ?