Windows 7 build 7032 screenshots leak

#1 Sam Symons Live on 11 Feb 2009 - 00:53

I like it

(10 replies) #2 Turbonium on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:05

Seems like the out-of-place Start Button still remains. :/

I really hope they fix this by the final release. They should make it a parallelogram of some type (not sure of the exact term to be honest, but something more rectangular, without 90 degree edges necessarily). Probably something thematically similar (but bolder) than the Close (X) button in Aero windows.

Bottom line: it should integrate into the new Taskbar, and anchor it in place visually. It just looks awful as it is. I mean, you know there's a problem when the Quicklaunch icons are arguably "louder" than is the Start Button.

#2.1 +xiphi on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:08

Looks fine, IMO.

#2.2 artfuldodga on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:16

i agree, i like the new superbar alot, they could take a pixel or two off the height but hey, its still good.

#2.3 Mav Phoenix on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:20

Idk, I think that the start menu is a little redundant now that you can pin folders/icons/etc. to the taskbar. You don't need the links that the current start menu has really as it can be replicated in a number of ways.

You do need the search function and all programs link though, I just think that the start menu needs a revision.

#2.4 Turbonium on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:28

xiphi said,

Looks fine, IMO.

artfuldodga said,

i agree, i like the new superbar alot, they could take a pixel or two off the height but hey, its still good.

Not to be condescending, but you guys don't have a good handle on visual design fundamentals. The Start Button, as it is at present, breaks a lot of rules. And it's not rule-breaking of the good kind.

#2.5 +xiphi on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:35

What might these "rules" just be?

#2.6 +Smigit on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:57

I see no issue with the start button. If anything I find the "shutdown" button in the start menu to be the one thats off

Turbonium said,

I mean, you know there's a problem when the Quicklaunch icons are arguably "louder" than is the Start Button.

Again I don't see the issue. The start button isn't moving anywhere so it doesn't have to be loud. If anything IMHO it shouldn't stand out as it shouldn't be competing for attention with the icons the user has pinned because those are ones they want to see.

I'd understand if the start button wasn't in a static position, but it is. You don't have to look for it but rather just flick to the bottom left in order to get to it. Making it loud would just distract from any other icon you may want.

#2.7 +TCLN Ryster on 11 Feb 2009 - 09:41

Not to be condescending, but you guys don't have a good handle on visual design fundamentals. The Start Button, as it is at present, breaks a lot of rules. And it's not rule-breaking of the good kind.

Irrelevant. It's all about what consumers like. Besides, I highly doubt theres a written and official "rule" that states the start button cannot be the same size as the taskbar, or cannot be round, etc. Guidelines maybe. But I (and many others) like it the way it is, and thats all that matters.

#2.8 jordanthegreat on 11 Feb 2009 - 14:20

I agree 1000% with Turbonium. The start button does not sit well in the taskbar and I noticed this from the first time I saw screen shots of Windows 7. They need to rethink that but I really don't see them making any changes to it at this point in development.

#2.9 Turbonium on 11 Feb 2009 - 15:57

Smigit

Again I don't see the issue. The start button isn't moving anywhere so it doesn't have to be loud. If anything IMHO it shouldn't stand out as it shouldn't be competing for attention with the icons the user has pinned because those are ones they want to see.

I'd understand if the start button wasn't in a static position, but it is. You don't have to look for it but rather just flick to the bottom left in order to get to it. Making it loud would just distract from any other icon you may want.

Based on that logic, why not just replace the Start Button with a spacefilling coloured box? Or better yet, why not just remove the Start Button completely and have that area of the screen be "understood" as being the Start Button area, since we can just whip our mouse into that corner anyway?

It's not like I don't know about GUI design issues and the "infinite space" corners of the screen. The fact is, infinite space is no excuse for second-rate design from a company like MS, with the resources it has.

And you misread my "loud" example. "Loud" is relative. Solid design is about making things just loud enough, without being overbearing. It's about good balance and composition. If you make the Start Button just right, given the other screen variables, it will not be overbearing. Vista's Start Button is perfect for the GUI environment of Vista. It's "louder" than the QuickLaunch icons, but doesn't overpower the rest of the screen in the least; i.e. you only see it if you are looking for it.

And if you're going to design a new Taskbar, using the old Start Button from Vista is just lazy and a missed opportunity. The only reason I see them doing this is because they are trying to keep the new GUI image they built with Vista; they don't want to make too drastic of a change between Windows versions. So as someone already mentioned, it's more than likely a business decision rather than an aesthetic one. Which is sad to say the least.

#2.10 Jugalator on 11 Feb 2009 - 19:13

Yeah, I also dislike that button; for being about an entirely different concept than applications running, it's looking all too similar. But I doubt MS will do anything about it at this point, and they probably think it's looking too good to touch. Remember that Microsoft isn't all too picky on themes, and what they let pass as for Windows XP. :p

(1 reply) #3 +BeLGaRaTh on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:09

So what is different in this build than 7000 other than walls? Screenshots are good and all, but physical change info is more important IMO

That said, does anybody know when will these build be available on connect?

#3.1 cybertimber2008 on 11 Feb 2009 - 04:24

It's likely backend changes for stability, etc. Not everything is noticable, somethings are extremely suttle and hard to find.

Plus, post-beta everything is feature locked. You shouldn't be seeing much new material outside of fixes (stability, security, or broken feature --> fixed feature) and looks.

(2 replies) #4 darkmanx21 on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:18

I thought build 7022 had the UAC set to a bar higher? Why would this build not have it?

They are progressing nicely!

#4.1 SHoTTa35 on 11 Feb 2009 - 01:45

Since the 6801 or something the UAC slider has been where it is in 7000, 7022 and 7032. The sliders position isn't really an issue, it's the underlying foundation of UAC which is the security risk. Sure moving the slider will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling but the risk still remain.

It's like a sleeping security guard, hes just as useless as a missing one. They will fix the issue in RC version of Windows 7 and the slider will prolly still be in the same spot cuz it's a good spot to be.

#4.2 MioTheGreat on 11 Feb 2009 - 03:12

SHoTTa35 said,

Since the 6801 or something the UAC slider has been where it is in 7000, 7022 and 7032. The sliders position isn't really an issue, it's the underlying foundation of UAC which is the security risk.

The issue doesn't occur with the bar maxxed out.

#5 smooth3006 on 11 Feb 2009 - 02:05

i hope this leaks in x64

(1 reply) #6 ChrisJ1968 on 11 Feb 2009 - 02:28

I just hope this turns out to be a great OS. i could give two S^&ts about how the start button looks.

#6.1 Minimoose on 11 Feb 2009 - 07:22

Same here

#7 dcoaster on 11 Feb 2009 - 02:51

Homegroup icon was changed already in 7022.

(3 replies) #8 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00

#8.1 Electric Bolt on 11 Feb 2009 - 02:59

Grow up, all you're trying to do is start a flame war. Got nothing better to do with your life? I like Windows 7, it has an incredible speed boost, nothing close to Windows ME. Microsoft is doing great, so is Apple with Snow Leopard, leave it at that.

#8.2 9UnknownMen on 11 Feb 2009 - 03:08

When you attempt to be witty, its good to know a thing or two about the subject lest you come off looking like total azzhat. Windows 3.x was an actual version series and the predecessor of the revolutionary Windows 95.

#8.3 C_Guy on 11 Feb 2009 - 04:35

Don't feed the trolls! The only way to get rid of them is to ignore them. Adding to your ignore list also helps

(1 reply) #9 Nacho3891 on 11 Feb 2009 - 05:36

Every new build has new icons to offer... In this build (7032) I see they changed Control Panel icon, which is nice

#9.1 +0sm3l on 11 Feb 2009 - 05:59

Nacho3891 said,

Every new build has new icons to offer... In this build (7032) I see they changed Control Panel icon, which is nice

and it looks more polished overall

#10 Erikas on 11 Feb 2009 - 06:17

Coming along nicely

#11 sorlag on 11 Feb 2009 - 09:54

I think the RTM will include a new skin or maybe a more polished version of the old one...

(1 reply) #12 TruckWEB on 11 Feb 2009 - 11:43

And beta testers are still stuck with build 7000.... Illegal torrent users have stuff faster than we (beta testers) do!

This is the last week for the preview download of 7000 for everybody. I hope for a new build right after that.

#12.1 timster on 12 Feb 2009 - 00:15

yup. MSDN, Technet and Microsoft Connect are still hosting build 7000 and the next public/beta tester build will most likely be the release candidate

(1 reply) #13 marleyuk on 11 Feb 2009 - 11:45

Looks great, I hope this leaks. If i do a upgrade from 7000 to this version will i lose all my settings ?

#13.1 timster on 12 Feb 2009 - 00:16

no. i upgraded from 7000 to 7022 and no settings were changed

(1 reply) #14 Lord Norr on 11 Feb 2009 - 13:29

Doesn't 7022 have the same homegroup icon as 7032?

#14.1 JonathanMarston on 11 Feb 2009 - 15:07

Yes

#15 zentron on 11 Feb 2009 - 15:26

Im not trying to start a flame war, but we have been implementing Vista when we replace an employee's pc with a new one, so we have a mixed environment of Vista & XP machine. We admit we have made a mistake, and all new machines will have XP. We have about 300 computers and almost half of them are Vista. I looked at Ultimate for the laptops because of bitlocker, and it works pretty well, but we definetly don't need all of the Ultimate features and it wasnt cost effective for us to get software assurance and get Vista Enterprise edition. With group policy addon's available for free in XP ( adjust power management via group policy ) i can't see one benefit Vista has brought to the table for our environment. I can definetly count the loss of productivity ( maybe part of this is due to running a mixed environment ) but like i mentioned i can't list one benefit of Vista for us over XP.

With this being said, I think Microsoft is off target again with Windows 7 in the enterprise. I have already read articles how many companies are looking to hang onto XP even after Windows 7 releases. Our IT department will prob run Windows 7 with an XP virtual machine or vice versa so we can play with it at replace. But I still don't see any specific reason why any enterprise would want to upgrade to Windows 7 at this point. Its especially not worth my time testing / troubleshooting our apps to work in it.

I also see a lot of enterprises implementing thinclients / terminal servers / xenserver / vmware vdi , where all there users run there apps off Server 2003 and the company owns 0 Microsoft client licenses. Obviously Microsoft makes money off terminal server licenses as they should, but its a trend that is going to continue to grow.

(3 replies) #16 scratch42069 on 11 Feb 2009 - 16:59

I can't think of any reason why Vista would have little benefits over XP in a workplace. It's essentially the same operating system with new features and a pretty GUI. What I don't understand is why no one has a valid reason for not using Vista or Windows 7. "XP is better" isn't a good enough reason. It's an out-dated OS that served it's purpose and is now succeeded by 2 OS. The tech industry is stagnating when people are clinging to out-dated OS. With that said, I'm looking forward to Windows 7.

#16.1 k7of9 on 11 Feb 2009 - 17:28

scratch42069 said,

The tech industry is stagnating when people are clinging to out-dated OS. With that said, I'm looking forward to Windows 7.

It's stagnating when people are clinging to an OS because the new OS doesn't have enough enticement to get them to switch.
This certainly was the main reason for me to keep XP. It was not because I'm afraid of change (quite the contrary actually) and it was not because of Vista's issues (which it certainly has) but simply because I could not think of any new features Vista would offer me that XP couldn't already (for me personally, for others it might). And the pretty GUI is a matter of taste. I think Vista's UI is too busy and inconsistent for my liking. And yes, Seven is not world's apart from Vista in terms of looks, but there are A LOT of refinements in Seven people might not notice at first sight, but to me they make a lot of difference. Windows Seven however does offer me enough reason, hence why I am using Seven as my main OS since the 7000 build leaked and I'm really liking it.

#16.2 zentron on 11 Feb 2009 - 21:38

Work where I work, and replace 20 desktops that have XP with Windows Vista. All of a sudden it seems like the 20 employees forgot how to use a pc. It waste's a lot of time to educate / train employees to do the exact samething they were doing with XP ( I dont see the start menu etc.. ). Also we need to configure the pc's with a ton of GPO's to make our applications work properly. For what? we see no benefit, it actually makes us lose productivity from the example above.

#16.3 zentron on 12 Feb 2009 - 02:49

Id love it if they made a module based OS, maybe a bunch of thinapp type programs. That way if you install a program and remove it, 50%of the registry entries arent still in your HKLocal Machine etc. Each app would be in its own sandbox. It would fix a lot of conflicts / improve speed etc.. They could look at there softgrid technology. They should design OS from scratch.. People could take existing apps and convert them and the new OS can run the legacy apps. Imagine if your press power button on pc, comes up with a menu with a list of these sandbox apps, it would take 5 seconds to boot.

(1 reply) #17 hardgiant on 11 Feb 2009 - 20:09

Windows XP and Office 2003 are still the mainstay at most companies from what I have seen. Vista and Office 2007 didn't offer much new or they confused people who had been accustomed to the older versions.

#17.1 thealexweb on 11 Feb 2009 - 20:35

hardgiant said,

Windows XP and Office 2003 are still the mainstay at most companies from what I have seen. Vista and Office 2007 didn't offer much new or they confused people who had been accustomed to the older versions.

My local school has just ditched it last copies on Office 2003, 2007 all the way.

(1 reply) #18 Chewbob on 11 Feb 2009 - 22:10

I noticed the games section is missing from the start menu. Is this because it is Enterprise Edition? I thought Enterprise was a superset of Home Premium? No biggie or anything... just wondering

#18.1 timster on 12 Feb 2009 - 00:18

it could just mean that the guy who made the screenshots changed his start menu to not show the Games link

(1 reply) #19 ManMountain on 11 Feb 2009 - 22:58

Same as with Vista Enterprise. By default, Enterprise does not install them. But if you go to Control PanelPrograms and FeaturesTurn Windows features on or off and tick Games and hit OK. There they are. I'm sure Windows 7 Enterprise will be much the same.

#19.1 briangw on 11 Feb 2009 - 23:09

Or it could be because Games folder is not shown because it's turned off in the Start Menu properties.

#20 jayk on 12 Feb 2009 - 00:20

Why do they still have the tabbed screen saver window popup (like in xp)? Instead, shouldn't it be part of the personalize window, like the themes & wallpaper?

(1 reply) #21 Shiranui on 12 Feb 2009 - 02:26

I love these new 'screenshots' that show nothing more than version number changes...

#21.1 Obry on 12 Feb 2009 - 23:39

Shiranui said,

I love these new 'screenshots' that show nothing more than version number changes...

...and few new themes, and new control panel icons, new home groups and yes - show us that they're doing new builds and people are using them... What did you really expect at that point? A new default background of Steve Ballmer sweating balls and jumping like a monkey?

#22 Obry on 12 Feb 2009 - 23:33

OMG will the people complaining about the start menu please have a few beers and relax. It's fine. It's not that ugly. It doesn't stand out and overshadow the other icons... chill. I love it when some people get stuck on some small irrelevant thing like that. Who cares if the start button is square or slightly rounded or whatever - it will still do the exact same thing... jeez.

(1 reply) #23 atleeit on 14 Feb 2009 - 03:36

i will be testing 7032 build later tomorrow to see what changes there has been

#23.1 Night Prowler on 14 Feb 2009 - 15:02

I did fresh install of 7032 from 7022 and I haven't been able to see any differance or feel any performance increase. However, IE8 has not crashed on me in the 4 days. It looks like IE8 doesn't like one of my add-ons. As far as I can see or tell the time spent on a fresh install of 7032 has not shown any benifit.

I did reinstrall 7022 from a backup image and removed all the IE8 add-ons but the crash happened again after about 2 hours of using IE8

atleeit said,

i will be testing 7032 build later tomorrow to see what changes there has been

(2 replies) #24 jim87654 on 14 Feb 2009 - 06:55

What I still don't like about the taskbar is that you can't tell the difference between already running apps and pinned apps very easily while just looking at them. I think many "normal" users will get thrown of by this approach. Also, no text labels by default may confuse many people.

#24.1 hardgiant on 14 Feb 2009 - 10:44

jim87654 said,

What I still don't like about the taskbar is that you can't tell the difference between already running apps and pinned apps very easily while just looking at them. I think many "normal" users will get thrown of by this approach. Also, no text labels by default may confuse many people.

I turned on text labels however some things work better with no text labels like sticky notes.

#24.2 umtech on 15 Feb 2009 - 18:08

Actually you can, if you hover over a pinned icon it does not highlight but has a small white mark on the bottom, running apps actually have color on the whole icon. At least on mine it does this. however there are many things missing from build 7000 to 7022 in the way of icons etc and screen savers as well.

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