New Windows 7 Screenshots

[Dane]

For everyone bitching about it looking like Vista....Please shut up. Vista looked the same for the most part like XP just the taskbar was a different color, it changed throughout the builds.....Shortly before beta two the start button was gone and it became the Orb...it just takes awhile. They have better stuff to do then deal with the UI that can wait.

[thealexweb]

Small problem there champ; Windows costs more than MacOS X - well, in New Zealand; OEM's are generally difficult to get off vendors given how some are really anal about making sure you buy a 'significant computer component'.

Hello in the long term windows is way cheaper than Mac OS X, from 2001 to 2007 Microsoft released one operating system ?150. Now if you want to upgrade to the latest Mac OS X during every one of those years (they released about 3/4) so that's about ?400.

[afusion]

Of course we're going to have to buy Windows 7, just like Leopard users will have to buy Snow Leopard. These companies are still in the business of making money.

Yeah that was quite an ignorant question lol

Hello in the long term windows is way cheaper than Mac OS X, from 2001 to 2007 Microsoft released one operating system ?150. Now if you want to upgrade to the latest Mac OS X during every one of those years (they released about 3/4) so that's about ?400.

What about 95,98,Me/2000,XP?

every 2 years?

I'm not debating it I just thought I'd throw that out there.

[Veedems Veteran]

The light media player interface looks exactly like what I've always in a video player.

[Mrcookjr]

I'm getting closer and closer to buying a mac every day with the way things are going with Windows. Nothing against it but I am just getting tired of it myself. I play on the Macs at stores and find the OS very simple to use and much more appealing on the eye.

[Eric Veteran]

/facepalm. Microsoft didn't provide drivers for OS X--they did for Vista on mac hardware.

I know that. Reread my response. :) My point was that providing hardware drivers for Windows is listed as an OSX feature. Obviously it is not.

[hotdog666al]

The whole "Windows being glass" gimmick has become very old.

If only they'd let people pick themes, Gnome style.

[giga Veteran]

I know that. Reread my response. :) My point was that providing hardware drivers for Windows is listed as an OSX feature. Obviously it is not.

It's listed as a feature of Boot Camp which was previously unavailable. Yes, one of the large selling points and features of Leopard is being able to run Windows.

Seriously, no one wanted to start this argument of "who has more features" or whatnot. It wasn't the point at all of the original post, yet people seem to make it into something it's not just to throw some flame baits out there. Quit the cynicism.

[Hidr0]

guess ill wait for something decent... rite now its just Vista with a couple tweaks

[splicer707]

@ all the people judging Windows 7 on a M3 - Pre Beta build.

Windows 7 is an evolution of a stable / mature operating system.

Don't expect huge changes.

As it turn out, the refresh of Windows Apps with ribbon bars is pretty major for most users.

And the changes to the general UI are usability / eye candy improvements to make Windows more desirable.

Sure, Windows 7 builds on the Windows Service 2008 / Vista code base, what's wrong with that? Do we really all want another huge change like Windows XP -> Vista (under the hood wise), so soon?

For those threatening to go to Mac. Do it. Stop threatening (myself included), but have a close look at OS X. How much has it really changed since OS X 10.0? Not a huge deal. Eye Candy and usability improvements, just like Windows. Stay with Windows or go with Mac, either is a stable / mature system. Neither Microsoft or Apple are going to go off on a huge tangent just because people whine that it's not different enough.

[kiwi89]

Good post splicer707.

Besides, as good as Leo is compared to vista finder still seems underdeveloped compared to explorer (for the record I use mac OS, im not saying stuff about it because I love windows).

[splicer707]

Good post splicer707.

Besides, as good as Leo is compared to vista finder still seems underdeveloped compared to explorer (for the record I use mac OS, im not saying stuff about it because I love windows).

(Y)

Thanks! I'm just saying how I see things.

Hope that more screenshots will follow. Some nice ideas being implemented by the Windows engineers.

[Brad.]

looking good so far.

I agree, I'm liking the progress being made :)

[tsupersonic]

Take a look here :

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/300.html

300+ New Features. And that's what you call only security fix?

Just to clarify, I wasn't talking about Leopard, I'm talking about the next release of OS X - 10.6 Snow Leopard. There is not much features being added on to that to make it worthwhile, but they are working on performance enhancement, and security fixes.

[giga Veteran]

Just to clarify, I wasn't talking about Leopard, I'm talking about the next release of OS X - 10.6 Snow Leopard. There is not much features being added on to that to make it worthwhile, but they are working on performance enhancement, and security fixes.

You sound just like the other guys in this thread who know absolutely nothing about Windows 7 or 10.6 and assume it'll just be a minor release.

[Nicholas-c Veteran]

so.... they are just redesigning paint/wordpad/stuff that doesn't/hasn't changed since 98 ?

in all fairness its not even beta yet so why are we all worrying about overall looks ?

[afusion]

^ you seemed worried in your first sentence.. :laugh:

I'm already pumped about this just seeing the M3 build.

[anonymous_user]

In fact, at least one Microsoftie, speaking off the record during my trip to Redmond last week, explained that Windows 7, in many ways, would simply be Vista SP2.

Too bad you have to pay for it (like a new OS) :hmmm:

[Quillz]

Yeah that was quite an ignorant question lol

What about 95,98,Me/2000,XP?

every 2 years?

I'm not debating it I just thought I'd throw that out there.

Microsoft never forced anyone to buy Windows 95, 98, ME or XP. But then again, Apple isn't forcing anyone to buy Mac OS X releases, either. The whole "Windows is cheaper than Mac OS X" is really a moot point since most people never buy boxed retail copies of Windows. They just have them provided via their OEM of choice.

[afusion]

Microsoft never forced anyone to buy Windows 95, 98, ME or XP. But then again, Apple isn't forcing anyone to buy Mac OS X releases, either. The whole "Windows is cheaper than Mac OS X" is really a moot point since most people never buy boxed retail copies of Windows. They just have them provided via their OEM of choice.

Which brings me to another point.

You should never have to upgrade your Operating System for no reason. When your machine gets old and it's time to buy a new one over the course of 4-5 years then you'll use the OS that comes with it (granted everything in that users case for compatibility etc goes as expected)

You can only take old hardware so far; it eventually will bottleneck itself w/ newer software.

[Nexus-]

I think we can confirm that there custom themes with this screenshot.

Your thinking about that wrong. as far back as windows 98 i could have custom themes. A theme is a collection of a wallapaper, color scheme (in this case glass, in 98 the classic windows color schemes) , sounds and a screensaver in one switchable bundle. Based on Microsoft's previous history i wouldn't bet heavily on custom theming without a uxtheme patch (IE Microsoft willingly takes out the signing requirement on 'theme themes') as you think the shot implies.

[zhangm Supervisor]

It doesn't look like this new interface brings any actual new features to the board, apart from the previews. We already have themes in Vista.

[notuptome2004]

It doesn't look like this new interface brings any actual new features to the board, apart from the previews. We already have themes in Vista.

We have in Vista what is called the Options to add custom themes but there is none . What windows 7 will do is add real theming to the plate such as Per-application or explorer window customization coloring and or rearranging and things icons and or things that may fit better together and new color chem or even new glass textures like Fogged glass or how about umm a crushed glass look mosaic look you know stuff like that . while the underling Platform is the same as in Vista today.

it will however possibly have some enhanced new additions to allow for greater user experiences in the themes department cause at one point in Time WPF was more powerful back in late 2003/04 but when Ms restarted Longhorn now vista while they kept all the new APIs they created for Longhorn/ future version of windows they scaled back the Horse power for there own self but Developers are Free to expose the greater complexities WPF can do that we seen in menu demo's back in the Day from Microsoft such as all those concept videos like this one ( http://www.winsupersite.com/files/pdc2003_...tart_media.wmv)

here are examples of what i mean of maby windows 7 adding different glass types we could see that WPF could be used to create

Edited September 23, 2008 by notuptome2004

[Nexus-]

It doesn't look like this new interface brings any actual new features to the board, apart from the previews. We already have themes in Vista.

Thanks for confirming that. So we just have a glorified switching interface. Microsoft is working on prettying up all the UIs and making them part of the explorer window and not Popout as much into seperate windows as they do still in vista. Now don't get me wrong the OP could end up being correct, heck the custom theming was rumored to be part of vista ultimate, but I heavily doubt it.

Also to everyone making assertions on UI or speed or anything else for that matter wait and if the beta program does start in December thats a legitimate beta 1 released to voice your concerns on. Things change often in the pre betas and its anyones guess as to how the final product will turn out. Feedback plays an extremely important part in the development process and if you dont like something it can be addressed. UI may not change much but changes are shaping up nicely. Consider this the way you would xp ontop of 2000, not with the UI, but with the way you would say XP RTM added a lot of polish to 2000. This is the polish version of vista. not till 8 will we see a radical new change like we did in vista, etc.

Also remember folks that these milestone builds are from the main branch and will NOT feature things like the multitouch revamped UI (which may or may not end up including that 'superbar' shown at D) until late in the build process. They might not show up till beta 2, so that is some food for thought. Windows 7 is supposed to expose multitouch in a big way to the PC world, even if it doesn't do it with a graphical overhaul the cues supposedly will be in the final product. I imagine we will see gesture based controls and other fun stuff. Lets just be patient for now and enjoy the shots while they last, which wont be long because MS security or sinofsky is gonig to catch up with this guy. Remember the new MS doesn't like leaks...

We have in Vista what is called the Options to add custom themes but there is none . What windows 7 will do is add real theming to the plate such as Per-application or explorer window customization coloring and or rearranging and things icons and or things that may fit better together and new color chem or even new glass textures like Fogged glass or how about umm a crushed glass look mosaic look you know stuff like that . while the underling Platform is the same as in Vista today it will have some enhanced new additions to allow for greater user experiences in the themes department

here are examples of what i mean of maby windows 7 adding different glass types we could see that WPF could be used to create

Yes the WPF spec has been improved to add that stuff, but I wouldnt expect to see microsoft open the door for custom themes in the way that windowblinds or uxtheme patching does. However it does remain to be seen and even if not the libraries will be patched by Rafael as they are in every version of windows and you can still probably end up with the means you wish in the long run. Thus making you happy :)

[Hurmoth]

It doesn't look like this new interface brings any actual new features to the board, apart from the previews. We already have themes in Vista.

Some people :rolleyes:

IT ISN'T EVEN BETA!!! :| I know this is hard to understand, but any major UI changes won't be done until later in the development process. They're more considered about making sure the stuff works under the hood. Which, you know, is actually more important.