Windows 7 RC

[Stoo]

trying it in the safest place I can find - within vmware fusion..

[martinp]

Been using the RC since Friday, seems to be more responsive then Vista x64 Ultimate.

Didn't like the new taskbar though, so I switched that back to the Vista style. Must admit the redesigned start menu is very good though. Aero tweaks are nice too, especially the 50/50 thing.

I really like Vista, but since installing 7 I see no need to go back. Software, drivers everything just works. Encountered no errors, BSODs, not one crash in the 3 constant days of running - exactly like Vista.

I recon I'll be using this until Snow Leopard comes out, or just maybe in the next few months I'll just love it too much to go back to OS X... Well see...

[Piggie]

Got a small issue and wondering if anyone can suggest something.

I have a Msoft keyboard (with volume keys) and after installing the official 64-bit drivers from Msofts own site for the exact keyboard, everthing worked.

But..............

when you are running a "normal" wallpaper and you press the up/down volume on the keyboard, you get a green bar on top of the wallpaper that moves with the volume.

However, when you are using one of the new Aero Themes, this does not show at all.

Perhaps the Aero themes are over the top (covering up) this volume bar?

Anyone else find this?

[Singh400]

It really shouldn't need keyboard input at all for such a basic operation though, which is my point. Winkey + Down actually means I have to take my hand off the mouse to minimise a window. It's moronic.

I must use the right click -> minimise on windows multiple times an hour. I'm just banging my head to think of any reason to remove it.

Or maybe you can just press the minimize button on the title bar at the top of the window?

[Agent]

Or maybe you can just press the minimize button on the title bar at the top of the window?

Which brings us back to the same issue - my screen is 2048 * 1152, if I have 5 windows open for an application can you guess how much mouse movement is required to just *minimise* the Windows?
The entire point of the task bar is to setup and manage programs.

It doesn't matter how its spun, its one aspect of the new UI that been poorly thought through. That and there is no disadvantage to putting it back how it was.

edit - I probably should make clear that I run multi-monitor. Taking the mouse to a different screen to minimise a window is not fun.

[aidanjt]

Or maybe you can just press the minimize button on the title bar at the top of the window?

Smaller target without boundries, therefore taking more time and concentration to hit. I always use the taskbar to minimise, as well.

[Stringent]

Tried an install on my colleagues PC, had the DVD drive problem. Temporarily put mine in and it worked. Odd.

[Singh400]

Which brings us back to the same issue - my screen is 2048 * 1152, if I have 5 windows open for an application can you guess how much mouse movement is required to just *minimise* the Windows?
The entire point of the task bar is to setup and manage programs.

It doesn't matter how its spun, its one aspect of the new UI that been poorly thought through. That and there is no disadvantage to putting it back how it was.

edit - I probably should make clear that I run multi-monitor. Taking the mouse to a different screen to minimise a window is not fun.

Alt + Space + N

Some people are never happy

Come to think of it, I'm sure there will be a registry entry discovered later on that will make the shift + right click behaviour as a default action when you just right click.

@Stringent: Yeah, some people have reported the same sort of oddity.

[Stringent]

@Stringent: Yeah, some people have reported the same sort of oddity.

Apparently reading, mostly its those who have downloaded the image with anything BUT Internet Explorer. Conspiracy me thinks ... So just downloading (again) with IE and see if that works fine this time round.

Despite W7 working on his PC, the DVD drive is there, but will not open or run anything that is stuck in it.

[Agent]

Alt + Space + N

Some people are never happy

3 keys in a configuration that almost requires Vulcan mind meld like accuracy, to minimise a Window? Seriously?
You do realise that management of a Windows OS is almost done exclusively by the mouse, with the keyboard only used for actually inputting data by almost everyone on the planet? (I said Windows OS, before you start Directhex and aidanjt )

When is the last time you saw someone opening programs, minimising windows, maximising them, closing them, altering their size and just about anything else done with the keyboard?
You don't. You use the mouse in almost all cases, and there is a good reason for it.

And you're right, I'm not happy because the current method is pretty bad for what appears to be otherwise an excellent OS. Perhaps you could enlighten me on why I should be happy about this change?

[Agent]

Apparently reading, mostly its those who have downloaded the image with anything BUT Internet Explorer. Conspiracy me thinks ... So just downloading (again) with IE and see if that works fine this time round.

Despite W7 working on his PC, the DVD drive is there, but will not open or run anything that is stuck in it.

Just MD5 / Hash the file and compare. If they don't match, you have an issue

[aidanjt]

You do realise that management of a Windows OS is almost done exclusively by the mouse, with the keyboard only used for actually inputting data by almost everyone on the planet? (I said Windows OS, before you start Directhex and aidanjt )

This isn't a Windows exclusive requirement for desktop environments either.

[dangel]

And you're right, I'm not happy because the current method is pretty bad for what appears to be otherwise an excellent OS. Perhaps you could enlighten me on why I should be happy about this change?

Did you tell MS what you wanted? They do actually listen!

Whatever MS do, they'll get it in the neck - because using a PC is rather subjective - point in case, i'm perfectly happy with the way things are on W7 (after several weeks of 7/7 use) because I obviously work very differently to you. Overall the new taskbar and window management is a big step forward IMHO.

Personally I like the new keyboard shortcuts - admittedly some are geared to two handed use, but then that's kind of the point.

New minimizing shortcuts I know of:

If the app is on your taskbar then - hit Windows + <number> (where number is the relative position fromt he left edge) - might do the job for you?
Win+down - min current
Win+home min/restore all OTHER windows

shift+right click on thumbnail - if group then min all, if not then min current on menu

Win+T (focus the taskbar - you can then scroll around, cycle by hitting it again) (not strictly related but useful oddly)


TBH it'd probably not be hard to rig up an app to minimize the current window given any configurable hotkey - i'm sure they exist already.

[aidanjt]

At least if they require keyboard shortcuts for minimising stuff. They should come up with sensible key bindings so you don't have to lift your hand off the mouse. But either cases are counter-intuitive from what is widely accepted as basic window management.

[malfunction]

... i'm perfectly happy with the way things are on W7 (after several weeks of 7/7 use) ...

Was just thinking about taking a straw poll as I'm tempted to install Windows 7 on my main PC that's currently running XP and see how it runs on a proper box and how the 64-bit version works (my desktop is a C2Q, so far I've been running it on my atom based netbook). Key apps I need are:

VMWare
iTunes
NetBeans

I already know the basics work (mail, FF, MSN, Skype)... Anything I should be wary of over and above it being beta software?

[Singh400]

3 keys in a configuration that almost requires Vulcan mind meld like accuracy, to minimise a Window? Seriously?

My bad, you don't need to press and hold. Simple just tap them in order. What? You can't tap Alt > Space > N quickly? Anyone comfortable with a computer should be able to find those keys in the dark!

Your the only person to complain about this. Most people I know complain about the lack of ability to re-arrange taskbar (double height) items vertically - and thats fair point, considering the new super taskbar is pretty good.

If you tried sending feedback to Microsoft, then perhaps something could have been done about it. Breaking the trend, Microsoft are actually listening to people in the beta program

Just out of interest where do you keep your left hand? Is it that hard to press shift and then right click?

@aidanjt: Shift + Right Click is a perfectly sensible shortcut.