Things You'd Wish Would Be Implemented In Windows 7

[Quillz]

I really hope the next version Microsoft allows some customizability... even the same amount as Windows XP would be great. It seems they are stripping more control away from us with each OS since then.

I don't find Windows 7 to be any more/less customizable than Windows XP.

[soulburner]

Well, in XP you could modify the buttons on Explorer's toolbars, since Vista you can't.

[xplatinum]

Disable BSOD's permanently

How does that make any sense... BSOD is not a feature or something that can be disabled. It's a screen filled with valuable information about a crash. And if a crash does occur, it's most likely your hardware's fault.

Instead you should thank the BSOD'd for helping you troubleshoot your faulty hardware.

[tuckeratlarge]

I would have like to see run time libraries for the common languages, C++, Visual Basic, .net, Java, PHP, etc. included with the install. Then I would like to see rid of the registry and just go back to good old .ini files or something like. Then have all the installation of an app in it's own folder, instead of spread scatter-gun fashion all over the shop. The C:/windows folder should not be a repository for crap from other places.

We have big hard drives now so space saving via the registry and common dll's and such is not so much of an issue.

Plus if apps are self contained as much as possible nasties like viruses would, while not being eliminated altogether, would be easier to defend against.

[Linkinfamous]

I would have like to see run time libraries for the common languages, C++, Visual Basic, .net, Java, PHP, etc. included with the install. Then I would like to see rid of the registry and just go back to good old .ini files or something like. Then have all the installation of an app in it's own folder, instead of spread scatter-gun fashion all over the shop. The C:/windows folder should not be a repository for crap from other places.

We have big hard drives now so space saving via the registry and common dll's and such is not so much of an issue.

Plus if apps are self contained as much as possible nasties like viruses would, while not being eliminated altogether, would be easier to defend against.

http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/...26/6523907.aspx

[ToneKnee]

I would have like to see run time libraries for the common languages, C++, Visual Basic, .net, Java, PHP, etc. included with the install. Then I would like to see rid of the registry and just go back to good old .ini files or something like. Then have all the installation of an app in it's own folder, instead of spread scatter-gun fashion all over the shop. The C:/windows folder should not be a repository for crap from other places.

We have big hard drives now so space saving via the registry and common dll's and such is not so much of an issue.

Plus if apps are self contained as much as possible nasties like viruses would, while not being eliminated altogether, would be easier to defend against.

Why the hell would people want all of them installed? We're trying to get Windows to be lighter, but all you are suggesting is bogging it down with crap I don't actually need, or 80%+ people.

[jmc777]

A small UI thing: I wish they had added options for tinkering with the window animations. I'd like to be able to get rid of the open window fade-in animation, but keep the close window fade-out and minimize/maximize animations. The UI would feel snappier if that fade-in was removed.

[Fraud OS 11]

The only thing I can think of at the minute would be a 'Calendar' function built into the taskbar clock somehow .. for alarms, notes, schedules .. that sort of thing. Maybe tied into the task scheduler somehow ..

They had that in Windows Calendar but it's not there in Live Mail. Besides how would Outlook sell then?

can't believe they never added any aspect ration controls to wmp, how many versions have there been? lots... glad you can remove it in 7. Gone back to using MPC again. That's the only thing I wanted added in 7.

It's there but inaccessible/has very poor discoverability. Go to WMP Options -> Devices -> Display -> Properties. That should be accessible in the context menu.

I'd like to see the return of some customizability of XP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_remo...m_Windows_Vista

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_removed_from_Windows_7

They're dumbing it down one step at a time.

[REM2000]

That sounds a lot like the setup for System Restore / Previous Versions on Windows.

I do wish that were better integrated with the regular Backup stuff though (for backing up to external drives / network shares / etc).

Shadow Copy is a good feature however Microsoft really needs to push this onto other hdd's either other internal or external drives. As shadow copy doesn't help if the hdd fails, with time machine the backups are made to a separate drive.

[Mr. Gibs]

MS's insistence on putting everything on the system drive is really aggravating for anyone that likes to keep their system files and software/data files on separate drives. I read that MS even wants to add a requirement to Games For Windows that GFW certified games can only be installed in Program Files; for security reasons supposedly, I hope it's just a rumour. I'm glad no one is listening to MS because it is a bad idea!

For all the documents, music etc folders...

Right click -> properties -> location. Change it to whatever you want....

A small UI thing: I wish they had added options for tinkering with the window animations. I'd like to be able to get rid of the open window fade-in animation, but keep the close window fade-out and minimize/maximize animations. The UI would feel snappier if that fade-in was removed.

Right click my computer -> properties -> advanced system settings -> under the performance section click settings

[HeyRatFans]

I want an image reize option photos like you had with the image re-sizer power tool.

You want this then:

http://www.codeplex.com/ImageResizer

Works exactly like the Windows XP Image Resize Powertoy.

[jmc777]

Right click my computer -> properties -> advanced system settings -> under the performance section click settings

There's nothing in there to let me do this...

A small UI thing: I wish they had added options for tinkering with the window animations. I'd like to be able to get rid of the open window fade-in animation, but keep the close window fade-out and minimize/maximize animations. The UI would feel snappier if that fade-in was removed.

[neudera]

A new UI? Aero is not streamlined. Things always feel out of place.

[TonyLock]

Animating Network Icon

[Minifig]

This is sort of hard to clarify what I'm looking for here.

Instead of just time.. for once I wish Microsoft would let us implement Action Center, Hidden Icons, Month, THEN date and then time. Not just Action Center, Hidden Icons, then time.

I think it'd be a nice addition.

[tom01]

Better CD/DVD management. It drives me insane!

[-KJ]

This is sort of hard to clarify what I'm looking for here.

Instead of just time.. for once I wish Microsoft would let us implement Action Center, Hidden Icons, Month, THEN date and then time. Not just Action Center, Hidden Icons, then time.

I think it'd be a nice addition.

They really ought to add that option in Windows 8. With widescreen monitors being the norm these days and the Superbar's default Icon-only look, you have a lot more room for that kind of customization. It's something I suggested earlier in this thread, and those who use T-Clock will know how great it is to have all the information you need about date & time laid out right in front of you without having to hover over.

[Minifig]

My problem with T-Clock is all the skins don't look like the default skin.. unless you've found one and you're holding out on me KJ.. ;)

[-KJ]

I think I'm understanding you wrong... T-Clock works in the taskbar (haven't tried on Superbar with Windows 7) without skins by default. It's very customizable as far as setting up its position and the information layout. I'm not aware if it has skin support, but I got it to look native... if that's what you mean by looking like the default skin.

Just use Segoe UI as the font and it'll look like its a native part of Windows.

http://www.stoicjoker.com/TClock/

[Rob2687]

Better audio control in Windows Media Center. Right now it locks the volume in WMP at max. You can only control the global volume in MCE.

[White Cuban]

Get rid of the registry. No other operating system has this file.

didn't think of is but i support, i would prefer if everything would keep its configuration in files, keeps things more neat in my option than one rubbish file that's everything dumped on...

i find it easier to open up a conf file in linux and read how i can change functionality by changing what, than to go to registery, find the software i want to edit and try to understand what each value means

Edited October 9, 2009 by Matan Mates

[devHead]

Maybe I do have bad luck, but I've seen 3 BSOD's so far with 7.

That's not bad luck; that's either bad drivers or bad hardware. How can you expect any operating system to fix that for you?

[Srugie Veteran]

Nothing so far!

Loving it. :heart:

[devHead]

Animating Network Icon

+1 to that, brother. Why did they get rid of that? Did someone think it was too distracting? Plus, I'm sorry but the network connection icon looks like a monitor holding a pitchfork. Am I right?

[Salgoth]

*face palm*

I'm sorry but that is the dumbest reason I've heard...explain to me how MS would replace it and also explain how you would fix the myriad of (now broken) Windows apps that will no longer work?

Rather quick to throw out the insults? Obviously you've never heard of Unix or Linux. Try reading columnist John C Dvorak's article in the April 2008 PC Magazine and you'll see the logic.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2290313,00.asp