• Windows 7 Megathread - Third Edition
    2,001 replies, posted
Apparently the people at TechRepublic have a sense of humor: [quote] I dug around in Windows 7 and discovered some super-secret features. It’s possible I was sabotaged, but I’ve decided to go public with my discoveries. —————————————————————————————————————————————————— Here at TechRepublic we have been evaluating, experimenting with, and discussing Windows 7 throughout 2009. We’ve seen the same stuff that everyone else is talking about — the fact that Windows 7 cleans up the Vista interface, cleans out much of the code that made Vista too much of a resource hog, and finally suppresses most of those horribly-annoying UAC prompts. However, during our Windows 7 exploration, I also spotted some secret features that are hidden deep within the recesses of over 50 million lines of code. In fact, these features are so secret that I doubt even the most dedicated, deeply-experienced IT professionals will be able to find them. Yes, they are that mysterious. Of course, it’s always possible that someone has sabotaged me and planted the code for these little secrets in my Windows 7 machines. But who do that? Linus Torvalds? Richard Stallman? David Pogue? (It can’t be David, see No. 5 below). But, just in case, I’ve decided to reveal these secret features so that the world can know. 1. Software that turns normal displays into touchscreens I don’t know how Microsoft did this. It seems like they would have needed cooperation from the hardware manufacturers. Nevertheless, it appears that the company has developed its own highly-secret software that can turn any standard LCD screen into a touchscreen. Now users will no longer have to a do a simple click-and-drag to resize photos. Instead they’ll be able to reach up to their screens with both hands and use a set of complicated multi-touch gestures to do the same thing, and it will only take 5-10 seconds longer. Upon further digging, I also discovered that all mouse and keyboard drivers appear to be in a time-bombed phase-out cycle. 2. PC-to-PC version of the Zune ’squirting’ feature One of the most underused features in the Microsoft Zune platform is squirting, which allows a Zune user to share a song with another Zune user over Wi-Fi (although the squirted song can only be used for three days or three plays). Microsoft thinks this feature is very innovative and deserves much more attention and usage than it has received. Therefore, it has quietly integrated it into Windows 7. This will allow cubical mates to share songs with each other from their massive libraries of Zune Marketplace selections, and laptop users will even be use to shoot songs to each from other across the aisle in the subway, for example. In a surprising move, there is currently no PC-to-Zune or Zune-to-PC option. However, I’ve learned that Palm has also discovered this feature and apparently developed its own module to allow PC-to-Palm Pre squirting and vise-versa. 3. Registry: The Starter Edition Much like the way Microsoft is offering a crimped version of Windows 7 called “Starter Edition,” I’ve also discovered an alternate version of the Windows Registry. Since this mysterious alternate Registry does not have an official name, let’s call it “Registry: The Starter Edition” because it is a greatly simplified and dumbed-down version. In fact, instead of five hives like the standard Registry, this one only has two: HKEY_CLUELESS_USER and HKEY_CRAPPY_MACHINE. I’m still not sure what purpose this alternate Registry will serve. The only thing I can think of is that it is designed to simplify the process of building Windows software for developers who have been writing Windows code for decades but are still too lazy to follow best practices in terms of file organization and user security. 4. Dual-boot software to run Mac OS X, known as ‘Training Camp’ Apple opened the door to more users - especially IT pros - in recent years by building Boot Camp into its Macintosh computers to allow them to run Windows along side Mac OS X in a dual-boot configuration. Not to be outdone, Microsoft as a secret dual-boot loader in Windows 7 that allows it to emulate Mac hardware and configure Mac OS X as an alternative boot option using the standard off-the-shelf Mac boot discs. In a fit of cleverness, Microsoft has decided to name it “Training Camp,” which I found out when I uncovered the Help file. However, I’m not sure what it is training for. If you have any ideas or theories, please post them in the discussion below. 5. The David Pogue spambot The most puzzling and nefarious bit of code that I discovered in the bowels of Windows 7 was what appeared to be a spambot that could be used to flood the inbox of a targeted user, or even take down the person’s PC. Of course, this could just be next iteration of Windows Live Mail. However, I’m concerned that if this code fell into the wrong hands, it could be used to unfairly target the perceived enemies of Windows, such as New York Times tech writer David Pogue, who has recently been viciously targeted by the blogosphere as a Mac partisan in the guise of an objective technology journalist. [/quote] Source: [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=3120[/url] Training Camp, my ass. [editline]11:53AM[/editline] Jimmy, you have just topped my awesome people list.
i just preordered Win7 x64 Ultimate on newegg.
I fucking love Windows 7, dual booting with Server 2008 R2. I recommend every MSDN AA/Dreamspark user to do the same.
[QUOTE=Alex_DeLarge;17807669]I fucking love Windows 7, dual booting with Server 2008 R2. I recommend every MSDN AA/Dreamspark user to do the same.[/QUOTE] Why bother with Server 2008 R2? Even with all the stuff to convert it to the workstation, there's still some things you can't exactly replicate (AVs recognising it as a server OS being one annoying example), and things like desktop experience partly negate the effects of it being "faster". Though that's my knowledge of Server 2008, not R2, so I have no idea if this is still the case, but I'm guessing its most likely so.
[QUOTE=Nick Nack;17770852]I love Windows 7, but shit is retarded when it comes to compatibility/drivers.[/QUOTE] I didn't have to install any drivers manually.
Yeah, if 7 can't find your drivers automatically, then your hardware is extremely ancient or obscure.
Here's a question: I'm using Win 7 RC 7100, and Nero v9.whatever. Burning a dvd, it plays fine in Win Media player on this computer. It does not play on a computer with WinXp(all updated) media player, I get a 'don't have the dvd decoder to play this' error message when I try. It does not play on my home theater dvd player either. I have burned dvds in the past with Nero, using Winxp, that play fine on all my dvd players. Using VLC, these Win7 dvds will play on the Winxp computer. Does Win7 do something different when burning dvds? Is there some compatibility setting that I need to check?
[QUOTE=a2h;17808986]Why bother with Server 2008 R2? Even with all the stuff to convert it to the workstation,[/QUOTE] Which basically turns it into Vista, which IMO is worse than just keeping Windows 7 or having XP as a dual-boot option. 2008 is the Vista kernel with a different scheduler setting and a bunch of server programs. It's not like 2003 which was based on a different kernel than XP. And even running that (2003) as a desktop OS gave little benefits.
[QUOTE=ChimeraR;17782962]Source engine games crash as soon as they load up for me on Ultimate 64 bit. Can someone help me ?[/QUOTE] working fine here...
Same. Try updating your drivers.
Hey just installed Windows 7 i love it but seem to be having some issues withit a frequent one is delays, seems to be pausing quite regually for a breif moment. I just got the drivers all sorted had to use some vista drivers is that ok?
What are your specs? On the Vista driver thing I used those fine on the beta before they released proper Windows 7 drivers fine.
I am planning to get a upgrade version to Windows 7 Ultimate so i can upgrade from My Vista Home premium because i am gunna get a 200$ Gift Card to Dell via a rewards program, Is this a good idea
Just pre-ordered home premium for my new build. Looking forward to it :biggrin:
[QUOTE=Wii60;17815590]I am planning to get a upgrade version to Windows 7 Ultimate so i can upgrade from My Vista Home premium because i am gunna get a 200$ Gift Card to Dell via a rewards program, Is this a good idea[/QUOTE] tbh you probably don't need ultimate, unless there is something you have to have that only it has home premium will probably work for you. also get the upgrade version but when it gives you the option do a clean install, upgrading to a new os just gives you a bunch of issues.
[QUOTE=Veers;17815697]tbh you probably don't need ultimate, unless there is something you have to have that only it has home premium will probably work for you. also get the upgrade version but when it gives you the option do a clean install, upgrading to a new os just gives you a bunch of issues.[/QUOTE] but if i do a clean install would that move all my old files to a new Destination like vista did when i re-installed it once. i also did say i was getting a Upgrade version.
[QUOTE=Wii60;17815725]but if i do a clean install would that move all my old files to a new Destination like vista did when i re-installed it once.[/QUOTE] The way I understand it yes. As long as you don't reformat the hard drive it will move all the stuff on the current install to windows.old.
[QUOTE=Veers;17815741]The way I understand it yes. As long as you don't reformat the hard drive it will move all the stuff on the current install to windows.old.[/QUOTE] ok i will clean install it.
Windows 7 ultimate x64 Asus P5N32-E SLI plus Q6600 ATI 4850 Windows 7 drivers 3Gb ram I think the slowdowns are when i use WMP? Anyone else got that issue?
:iia: I have it now.
[QUOTE=Jonathan1321;17815871]Windows 7 ultimate x64 Asus P5N32-E SLI plus Q6600 [b]ATI 4850 Windows 7 drivers[/b] 3Gb ram I think the slowdowns are when i use WMP? Anyone else got that issue?[/QUOTE] That, get the real ATI drivers.
Why? I think its WMP cos since i turned it off it runs fine, And IE stops responding every now and again but just breifly
[QUOTE=Jonathan1321;17815951]Why? I think its WMP cos since i turned it off it runs fine, And IE stops responding every now and again but just breifly[/QUOTE] It is always better to have the original drivers, they work better.
[QUOTE=Jonathan1321;17815951]Why? I think its WMP cos since i turned it off it runs fine, And IE stops responding every now and again but just breifly[/QUOTE] if you have a lot of music/videos, WMP might be adding them to the library and that takes up quite a bit of resources. not sure if that's really your issue, but it's a possibility.
Nice Feature on windows 7 [url]http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/ringtone-editor[/url]
Don't suppose anyone has personally tried using Vista drivers on Windows 7? I would like to switch to 7 but I have a component that doesn't have 7 drivers yet and that's the only thing keeping me back. I googled it and apparently if a device has Vista drivers they will work on 7 but I'm still a little reluctant, has only personally installed Vista drivers on 7? Anything I should know about using Vista drivers on 7?
I tried many Vista drivers, including network cards, graphics cards, etc. I never had any problems with them. That was during the beta when there were no real drivers for Windows 7 yet.
They'll probably work fine. Hell, I even got an XP driver to work on a really old laptop. If something goes wrong then just roll back the drivers.
I started using W7 when it was a pre-Alpha (6853 or something), it didn't even have the new taskbar yet. Over the last year I have seen W7 evolve and mature into somethnig incredible, its an amazing OS and I never had any problems ever...and now its done... THEY GROW UP SO FAST! :'(
[QUOTE=Veers;17820305]I tried many Vista drivers, including network cards, graphics cards, etc. I never had any problems with them. That was during the beta when there were no real drivers for Windows 7 yet.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Roast Beast;17820356]They'll probably work fine. Hell, I even got an XP driver to work on a really old laptop. If something goes wrong then just roll back the drivers.[/QUOTE] Alright, I suppose I'll give it a try. The thing is these are drivers for my RAID controller, I really don't want to install 7 then realize that there are no compatible drivers for it and I'll need to revert back to XP until 7 drivers are out. There are Vista drivers released for it so hopefully it will be no problem using those.
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