Windows 7 RC Gets 36 Changes

Techtree News Staff, Feb 28, 2009 0830 hrs IST

Windows 7 Release Candidate anticipated for release on April 10, 2009

After the overwhelming response to Windows 7 and requests for features from users, Microsoft has finally released the feature list of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. This release candidate of Windows 7 is expected to arrive on April 10, 2009, as per Ars Technica.

In all, Microsoft's senior program manager, Chaitanya Sareen, outlined 36 changes in the Windows 7 release candidate. Minor changes will give users more control than what they had in the Windows 7 beta. However, Paul Thurrott dismissed these "laundry list of tiny changes, much like the '300+ New Features!' lists that Apple makes every time it ships a new version of Mac OS X."

Here are a few important changes we'd like to highlight:

Windows Flip (Alt+Tab) with Aero Peek
The ALT+TAB window feature will be implemented in Aero Peek. Time delay in flipping between and cycling through windows will be displayed in the respective window through Aero Peek.

Keyboard shortcut: Windows Logo+ #
Keyboard speed and efficiency freaks would love the new keyboard shortcut - Windows Logo key + # key. This new shortcut will give you access to the taskbar for launching and switching to a program that is running.

Touch-y tweaks
This much hyped touch feature in Windows 7 gets some improvements like multi-touch keyboard, drag-n-drop support, and multi-touch right click in the release candidate.

Native .mov file support
Say adios to QuickTime, for now, Windows 7 RC will allow .mov file playback on the fly.

FAT32 support
Support for non-removable FAT32 and NTFS hard drives will be added, which was absent in Windows 7 Beta.

Several enhancements and performance tweaks have been added in the exhaustive list of changes. We know that the new features are going to disappoint many users (read: testers), but this time Microsoft is taking each step carefully to not repeat past mistakes.

Rumors based on insider information indicate the release of Windows 7 RC on April 10, 2009. Let's hope Microsoft has learned its lesson from the Windows 7 beta launch and will be well prepared for the Windows 7 Release Candidate roll-out.

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USER COMMENTS

I hope they move the "power" button back to where it was it was in Windows XP MCE, because I hate having to scroll through the list to find it in Vista and it's even worse in the 7 beta. It's not even the main function in the row, which is even more annoying!

by Garst, Momence, on Mar 12, 2009 02:01 AM, Report abuse Reply

The problem with Windows 7 is that you have to pay for FIXED verion of Vista. That's all Windows 7. As for me, Im moving toward Ubuntu linux. Tired of pying for OS's that don't work then paying again for a new version of the same OS.

by Luke DuPree, Houston, on Feb 28, 2009 08:48 PM, Report abuse Reply

Good luck with Ubuntu. <smirks>

by Mark J. Seydel, Warrington, PA, on Mar 01, 2009 04:33 AM, Report abuse

Aren't you tired of reading news about Windows 7 too? Make the move complete now and stop with useless comments. Truth is that you are going to get Windows 7 otherwise you would never have left your comment. PS I don't read any news on linux and I never comment about it...but since you started..."linux sux!"

by Looka Ata Me, fezzland, on Mar 01, 2009 02:00 PM, Report abuse

I agree with DuPree. I just installed Ubuntu yesterday and I'm so pleased it works fine. Hey I could even sync and chatrge by blackberry. Also, netween firefox, MS Office, Vista and Photoshop, I've saved enough for a second laptop!

by Romit, Mumbai, on Mar 01, 2009 07:31 PM, Report abuse

Move on then...I like Windows and it offers me all the options I need at work and at play.

by Glen W (Gknicks, Davenport IA, on Mar 02, 2009 02:16 AM, Report abuse

lmao at ubuntu. Have you ever done an ubuntu youtube search before? It's a bunch of people saying its better then Vista and all they do to compare it is to grab the window and drag it around the screen "oh man look at that cool effect". If that's what you like to do all day then ya ubuntu is cool, but as a OS it fails. I don't know about you, but time is everything, if I wanna install a program I wanna click an icon and begin installing it. And not type in all kinds of commands just to get things going. If using Linux makes you feel more of a hardcore computer hacker guy, then fine. But don't bash on the best OS the computer industry has ever seen. Windows pwn okay? I haven't paid for an OS since windows 2000.

by its a me,mario, cali, on Mar 02, 2009 08:23 AM, Report abuse

In Ubuntu, Applications>Add/Remove Programs. This applet gives you 1 click access to thousands of programs, from office suites to games to educational software to design software, web, graphics, etc. All you have to do is put a check in the box, and click "Apply." If you want to remove a program, just remove the check, and click "Apply." Yes, you can use the terminal and type "sudo apt-get install mplayer" to install a media player application, and you could use the windows command prompt and type "md c:\users\public\documents\work" to create a folder named work in the public documents directory, but there's a GUI for a reason in both applications. All operating systems are hacks. Choose the one that's best for you, but please respect the choice that someone else makes.

by riperush, not telling, on Mar 05, 2009 09:55 AM, Report abuse

What doesn't work on vista?? You are more than welcome to go to linux nobody cares... go!!

by Jasono, Auckland, on Mar 06, 2009 03:03 AM, Report abuse

I agree with john corum, really there is not much wrong with vista (pre SP1 it kinda sucked a bit). And just because Windows 7 looks a little like vista does not mean it is vista. Windows 7 rocks in every way. People tend to dog the big boys a lot... but there’s a reason they are the big boys… there software is very popular and not badly priced for what you get… I’m sticking with windows.

by JasonO, Auckland, on Mar 06, 2009 02:43 AM, Report abuse Reply

fdsafsdafasdfasdfad

by tahnh, ho chi mih, on Mar 05, 2009 08:38 PM, Report abuse Reply

I’m running a dual boot win7, ubuntu box. It’s a toss up! With ubuntu all the software is free, updating is a breeze however ubuntu has a learning curve. All my older hardware works with ubuntu as drivers are not a problem.Win7 for me is a fixed vista…well so far. The only problem I’ve encountered so far are drivers which is expected for a beta release. I’m surprised nobody commented about the win7 file system. All that aside, I have 6 other boxes running XP flawlessly….. after how many years? lol

by Rainfall, Plainview NY, on Mar 05, 2009 07:25 AM, Report abuse Reply

exlent

by shree, hyderabad, on Mar 04, 2009 05:15 PM, Report abuse Reply

People need to stop hating on linux. Yes it does not always work out of the box like win or mac and fixes need to be handled with by individuals. I wonder why this could be? Let's see. Mac only allows there OS on their hardware. That means perfect compatibility. All PC makers tailor there computers to run windows. All those windows drivers mean near perfect compatibility. Vista is crap and should have never happened. I have not had one experience where it did not fail to perform fast enough or stable enough. i have used both 32 and 64 bit vista home premium on 2 new dells, 1 new lenovo, and older p4 desktop. the best was the 64 bit on lenovo but still minor issues were there. This is why I prefer linux. There will probably be similar problems to the ones above in linux. The difference is that you CAN fix them. Most of the time someone has run into the problem and you can find the solution online and follow there steps. I find this to be pretty easy. I will agree that windows 7 is turning out to be great. I did have issues with media center. It kept losing the TV signal that worked fine when I used Vista. Microsoft is turning out to not suck so bad at programming anymore. The zune software is great looking and intuitive. I don't own a zune but i enjoy using it anyway. I may finally upgrade my XP box that I need because of engineering schoolwork.

by Kirk, blacksburg, on Mar 03, 2009 06:23 AM, Report abuse Reply

just like to add my thoughts working with all windows format from 3.1 thru vista, i found that vista is and still a great operating system no problems here but windows 7 will be the greatest of them all.

by john corum, north charleston , on Mar 02, 2009 08:10 PM, Report abuse Reply

woot. i like changes

by someone, somewhere, on Mar 02, 2009 04:20 AM, Report abuse Reply

Linux does not have all the built in support like a MS or a OS X. I use MS and Linux. And I like them both but I will say this that what hurts linux/ubuntu is that it is not a plug and play that most computer users are looking for. With 8.4 there is no built in DVD player/decoder. Is it out there yes but does everyone eant to go and hunt for it or do they want it to be included? Inclluded. Id the new Ubuntu would be an all inclusive OS then I think you would see a larger amount of people changing over to it. I would even think that people would be willing to even pay aliitle for a complete Ubuntu

by Tim, St Joseph, on Mar 02, 2009 01:43 AM, Report abuse Reply

I can do Win+<#> right now on my Windows 7 build 7000

by Murloc, Vista, on Feb 28, 2009 01:39 PM, Report abuse Reply

win+# is working on vista already, it is not new.

by I, Riyal, Woodbury, MN, on Mar 01, 2009 11:32 PM, Report abuse

i agree Mihyosoft is making a lot of hype for fixing vista and then charging us for it.

by Joe Black, Monroe, on Feb 28, 2009 11:12 PM, Report abuse Reply

no. i have the beta, and it isnt just a fixed version of vista. it has significant changes from vista and all other versions of windows. it is by far the best version of windows i have yet used.

by Vys, Fort Worth, on Mar 01, 2009 02:07 AM, Report abuse

I'm also using the beta of Windows 7, and I have to agree the original comment. To me, it's really just a modified taskbar and a few minor new features. It's still the same old aero theme, it still comes with a ton of crap, the same "amazing" application switching effect... and it's still available in a load of editions instead of just having a customise menu. I have a big long list of simple features I've started listing since I started beta testing 7. I've submitted every single one of them and I bet none of them will materialize. Heck, I wonder if any of my feedback will even be read.

by Chris, London, on Mar 01, 2009 03:21 AM, Report abuse

nnjnn

by Anonymous, Monroe, on Feb 28, 2009 11:14 PM, Report abuse Reply

Microsoft is a great product overall. They have had a bad run with Vista but I think they know they must pull ahead with the Windows 7 OS or they may see Linux really take a cut in the near future. It is a good sign that they are willing to seek input from the users of the world.

by Tab, La Porte, on Feb 28, 2009 07:10 PM, Report abuse Reply

very nice..........

by arun, jabalpur, on Feb 28, 2009 04:55 PM, Report abuse Reply