Those are my eyes staring at you. They allow me to see you clearly through this screen. No, don't click there, it will take you away from my online space.
Let me start again, I am Wyatt and I am a software engineer. I am also a process theologian, author, music hipster, struggling artist who enjoys thinking outside of your finitude. I am not as pretentious as that line makes me sound. If you have some spare time read more about me.
Windows 7 Beta was just released to the public and Microsoft indicates that you need Vista SP1 in order to upgrade.
Even though it says you need Vista I have found a way to upgrade my Windows XP install so that it has most of the new features in Windows 7 by following these steps.
1. Install Windows XP SP3 so that your computer is more secure and running the latest
2. Disable your themes and search services (start -> run -> services.msc) as well as any other services you do not require. After this your computer should be running close to what it will with Windows 7. Also, for good measure, remove any extra non-sense from your startup items. Better yet, do start -> run -> msconfig and uncheck "Load startup items" then click apply.
3. To get that shiny new finder you need to install Directory Opus.
4. For the nice way to rearrange your taskbar use Taskbar Control.
5. You will want to also install Windows PowerShell 2 CTP3 if you plan on using it.
6. You can also install Internet Explorer 8
7. Download Windows Live if you use IM or blog
I think that pretty much covers all of the new features, and I bet the above steps will take you less time to follow than to upgrade to Vista, then to Windows 7. Once it is out of Beta and I have more time I do plan to install it. Until then, the above will get my by.
You will be able to upgrade from XP in the final bits (AFAIK). Right now, they are only publicly stating that the only path they are supporting is from SP1.
Disabling services is all well and good, but it still won't get you the performance you'll get on Windows 7, because instead of running all the time and polling for events, Windows 7 services can be turned on and off by Windows system events.
Taskbaar Control doesn't even come close to replicating the featureset of the new SuperBar. Not even close.
And it is untrue that you get "most" of the new Windows features by doing those things. The taskbar and search barely scratch the surface. There are Libraries (an extansion of WMP Libraries), HomeGroups (domain-like local networking), DeviceStage, and DirectAccess (connect to corporate network without VPN)... the list goes on.
Maybe you should download the Windows 7 Beta, throw it in a Virtual Machine, and fire it up. You'll see what I'm talking about.
Robert McLaws
Windows-Now.com
Thanks for the more technical list of features, Robert. The list that they market is what I was going off of. The marketed list is what people use daily. I am curious to see benchmarks comparing a tuned up XP to Windows 7, do you know of any?
Yep, check this article out:
Windows 7 scored the fastest against Windows XP and Windows Vista in all but 2 areas, and only one of those has XP beating Vista.
Like I said, you really should check it out. Even die-hard Mac fans are liking it:
news.cnet.com/.../8301-13506_3-10
-Robert