9UnknownMen Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Exclusive: Microsoft to remove 3 app limit from Windows 7 StarterNo word yet on whether the other lame limitation--the bizarre inability to change the desktop wallpaper--will be fixed as well. To be honest, this is a bigger issue than the 3 app limit, which sounds horrible but doesn't actually come up all that often if at all. Good for MSFT. Getting ahead of the FUD train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calum Veteran Posted May 22, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 22, 2009 This is good to hear! Thank you for the information :) I agree with Paul on the issue of not being able to change the desktop background. Even though it is the 'starter' edition, it's ridiculous that you are not able to change the desktop background. I assume a lot of possible users of it will not expect that either and will be very diassapointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhangm Supervisor Posted May 22, 2009 Supervisor Share Posted May 22, 2009 To be honest, this [the inability to change the desktop wallpaper] is a bigger issue than the 3 app limit, which sounds horrible but doesn't actually come up all that often if at all. Seriously, the number of applications you can run is less important than your desktop background? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshalus Veteran Posted May 22, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 22, 2009 https://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/05/22/m...ndows-7-starter Some more information, including their new system requirements for OEMs to install Starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Delta Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Seeing as starter edition is only ever likely to be used on Netbooks, yes. Remember there are actually a surprising number of exemptions to the 3 app rule, including all background apps. It really isn't as restrictive as it may sound, and most people with netbooks have no real need to have loads of apps running. But I agree, the limit should be lifted and is pretty non-sensical. However I also agree that the limit on setting wallpaper needs to also be removed, that is just plain stupidity. Even if Microsoft launched a free SKU of Windows, people would complain at the loss of ability to change wallpapers, there is just no reason whatsoever to disable that functionality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda X Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Why don't they just get rid of starter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-KJ Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 That's good. I never understood why they'd restrict the wallpaper from being changed and limit the number of opened apps. Just because it's the Starter edition? These features are in all modern OS. To limit these basic functions would be to cripple it, imo. Good strategy for getting people to upgrade, but not before getting many complaints that could tarnish the reputation of MS. I'm glad they lifted these restrictions. I don't like it when a company strips basic functions of one version just to make the others look fluffier -- I'd rather them add more features into the other versions to convince people to upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhangm Supervisor Posted May 22, 2009 Supervisor Share Posted May 22, 2009 Why don't they just get rid of starter? Because there is a market for really cheap (~200$) netbooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda X Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Because there is a market for really cheap (~200$) netbooks. You know I wouldn't buy a $10 netbook if it had Starter on it. (However if I had the funds for an actual good SKU then yes) Microsoft doesn't have to make it so expensive to where they give have an OS for the netbooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soonerproud Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Because there is a market for really cheap (~200$) netbooks. There is an easy solution to this issue. Dump Starter for Home Basic and make that the cheap Windows for netbooks and very low end PC's. Don't make it available in retail or system builders packs so all consumers who actually purchase a separate license from the hardware only have two sku's to consider purchasing at retailers and etailers to stop the confusion. Home Premium Professional Ultimate (Anytime Upgrade only) They save money on development and marketing cost and they avoid all the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ba'al Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 You know I wouldn't buy a $10 netbook if it had Starter on it. Same here, I wouldn't want that totally crippled Starter, not even for free, and be stuck with an ugly-ass wallpaper on top of it :x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadeater Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Same here, I wouldn't want that totally crippled Starter, not even for free, and be stuck with an ugly-ass wallpaper on top of it :x I bet that wallpaper could be hacked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ba'al Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 I bet that wallpaper could be hacked. The OS is still crippled, then :pinch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soonerproud Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Same here, I wouldn't want that totally crippled Starter, not even for free, and be stuck with an ugly-ass wallpaper on top of it :x I could care less about the wallpaper if the netbook was cheap enough. It is not like I would be using the thing as my main PC. It would simply be used when I am away from home and it is something really small and light to carry, but a little bigger and more powerful than a iPhone or similar device. If they remove the 3 app limit, I would hardly call it crippled because they want me to stick with their default background to motivate me to upgrade to HP. All I care about is will it run the apps I need and as many as I need. (Unlike the iPhone which is still limited to one app at a time.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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