One feature or tech you want in Windows 8

[AltecXP]

Now that Windows 7 is out and I know many of you are using it, Microsoft is most likely working on SP1 and gathering ideas for Windows 8.

What is 1 feature or technology you would like added or changed for Windows 8?

To me the #1 thing would be the included ability to mount ISO images.

[kimsland]

Now that Windows 7 is out

Windows 7 is out?

Can I buy the setup disc and install it today?

Are you sure its out? I thought it was going to be released October 22nd

I don't think its out yet, not publicly for the home user at least

[Hurmoth]

Windows 7 is out?

Can I buy the setup disc and install it today?

Are you sure its out? I thought it was going to be released October 22nd

I don't think its out yet, not publicly for the home user at least

Yes, it is out. Look at TechNet and MSDN. Those are available to the general public, so technically it is out.

[Owen W Veteran]

Now that Windows 7 is out and I know many of you are using it, Microsoft is most likely working on SP1 and gathering ideas for Windows 8.

What is 1 feature or technology you would like added or changed for Windows 8?

To me the #1 thing would be the included ability to mount ISO images.

They are NOT working on SP1 yet actually. I'm going to ahead and predict that SP1 will come out in 1 year or 6 months and will be a crapload of bug fixed (the ones previously released standalone), so that businesses will adopt it.

Also, mounting ISO images will not happen. They arent exactly out to give piracy a helping hand.

Windows 7 is out?

Can I buy the setup disc and install it today?

Are you sure its out? I thought it was going to be released October 22nd

I don't think its out yet, not publicly for the home user at least

It's not out. Only for technet/msdn

[ATLien_0]

honestly, Microsoft could take 2 approaches to the next windows.

The mac style route and just fine tune Windows 7 even more to make it better.

Or build a new architecures/UI

There had been rumors I know, that soon they would ditch the start menu

[Stetson]

WinFS!

(Just Kidding :p )

[Timmah339]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit, and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does.

[AltecXP]

They are NOT working on SP1 yet actually. I'm going to ahead and predict that SP1 will come out in 1 year or 6 months and will be a crapload of bug fixed (the ones previously released standalone), so that businesses will adopt it.

Also, mounting ISO images will not happen. They arent exactly out to give piracy a helping hand.

It's not out. Only for technet/msdn

As far as I'm concerned as soon as they start working on a patch after RTM they are working on SP1.

[fhpuqrgrpgvirzhpujbj]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit, and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does.

Ahh, yes. Lets break lots of existing applications while making windows more like a competitor that has an operating system that is even more vulnerable to viruses.

I want it to read my mind and do whatever I want just by thinking.

[iamwhoiam]

Also, mounting ISO images will not happen. They arent exactly out to give piracy a helping hand.

Since when does ISO = piracy? By your logic, WMP shouldn't be in the OS because people can use it rip CDs.

[AltecXP]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit, and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does.

What would make uninstallation woes disappear would be for companies to make a proper uninstaller. That's not Microsoft's fault. OSX just reads separate txt files, I don't see how that makes it "better"

Performance and closed exploits is always a welcomed change. And I would agree about the app installation. I'd like to see more like World of Warcraft. It does take a while to install. but you can move the folder around as its all contained.

[Stetson]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit, and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does.

Instead I would suggest a better built-in system/framework for installation and uninstallation that handles things like the registry correctly. I know that we already have the Windows Installer framework but that seems really separate from the system and isn't widely used.

If this system installer/uninstaller framework was customizable enough to work for most programs it would really simplify things a lot. Installers that don't use the system framework could trigger a caution dialog, motivating developers to use it.

[firey]

They are NOT working on SP1 yet actually. I'm going to ahead and predict that SP1 will come out in 1 year or 6 months and will be a crapload of bug fixed (the ones previously released standalone), so that businesses will adopt it.

It's not out. Only for technet/msdn

Uhm, I know we aren't supposed to talk about leaked builds but was there not ones with an early version of sp1? And technically the public has the option to buy msdn or technet so technically it is available to the public.

[phot0nic]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit, and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does.

Although that would fix some common uninstallation problems due to poorly designed software, most of the other "benefits" you mention simply aren't true. And not only would it not "make the OS run faster", it would probably make it run slower. Additionally, the cost of making almost every current program incompatible is simply too steep to even consider. Removing the registry would be a terrible idea in every way.

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As far as my wishes, I wish Windows 8 would move even further towards a modular design in which I can completely customize my install. Additionally, they should remove the multitude of SKUs. One inexpensive and relatively minimal version of Windows should be offered. Every other "feature" should be available as either a free or pay download, separate from the OS installation.

[kimsland]

technically the public has the option to buy msdn or technet so technically it is available to the public.

I meant going down to the shop and buying it

Not released yet

And I'd say 99% of users are running Beta (I still call RC beta by the way)

[soumyasch]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit, and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does.

I think the only thing the Registry needs is a good revision tracking system. Like, for any given application, easily locate all its keys, so that they can be deleted (solving uninstallation problem) or exported (solving migration problems).

[firey]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit[1], and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does[2].

[1] Like adding themselves to startup? I know many ways to have a virus on startup without even smelling (less than touching) the registry .

[2] The Registry is more of a storage for settings, what you are proposing is to either have the settings be exported as .ini/.cfg/.txt files which can become easily corrupted (poor programming) and load from those instead?

[Owen W Veteran]

honestly, Microsoft could take 2 approaches to the next windows.

The mac style route and just fine tune Windows 7 even more to make it better.

Or build a new architecures/UI

There had been rumors I know, that soon they would ditch the start menu

Next version of Windows is confirmed to be 64-bit only, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if there was a new architecture. Almost could guarantee it.

I saw a guy up there joking about WinFS...I would be relatively serious when it comes to WinFS, I'm quite sure the next iteration will include a file system that's new.

[.Kompressor]

Remote Admin an Apple or Linux machine built in.

and also have intelligence..... wait it's only 2010....too early for A.I.

[Stetson]

I saw a guy up there joking about WinFS...I would be relatively serious when it comes to WinFS, I'm quite sure the next iteration will include a file system that's new.

I was just joking about the face that people seem to be fond of dragging up the idea of "adding back" the WinFS that was removed from Longhorn/Vista. If Microsoft comes up with a new filesystem that improves on some limitation or increases performance or reliability or ease of backup then I'm all for it :)

[Owen W Veteran]

I was just joking about the face that people seem to be fond of dragging up the idea of "adding back" the WinFS that was removed from Longhorn/Vista. If Microsoft comes up with a new filesystem that improves on some limitation or increases performance or reliability or ease of backup then I'm all for it :)

Ah, ha, yes, that also cracks me up..! :)

[Brandon Live Veteran]

i think microsoft should do away with the registry. it will make uninstallation woes mostly disappear, installation of programs much easier, eliminate a wide open vulnerability which many viruses exploit, and make the OS run faster in general. instead of a program having to read registry keys and such, it should work like portable apps or the way OSX does.

How would getting rid of the registry do those things? Getting rid of the registry would just break everything that currently runs on Windows. It won't make people write XCopy-able apps, they can already do that and they don't.

If what you want is portable apps or better uninstall functionality, then ask for those things, don't ask to get rid of the registry since that won't accomplish the goal and really is an ask that has no purpose or basis in reality.

Next version of Windows is confirmed to be 64-bit only, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if there was a new architecture. Almost could guarantee it.

I don't see how you can say anything is "confirmed."

I saw a guy up there joking about WinFS...I would be relatively serious when it comes to WinFS, I'm quite sure the next iteration will include a file system that's new.

WinFS wasn't a file system, and you sure as heck won't see that coming back (we've already provided much of its functionality in other ways).

[Timmah339]

Instead I would suggest a better built-in system/framework for installation and uninstallation that handles things like the registry correctly. I know that we already have the Windows Installer framework but that seems really separate from the system and isn't widely used.

If this system installer/uninstaller framework was customizable enough to work for most programs it would really simplify things a lot. Installers that don't use the system framework could trigger a caution dialog, motivating developers to use it.

that's a good idea too. however they should be careful about how it is implemented. too much at once could spur more discontent like vista's release did.

[Gio Takahashi]

I can't decide what I'd like to see in windows 8 at this point, except for something big and new and unique.

[Ci7]

i would expect Win8 to be revolutionary release (Major) .

maybe a better multicore - multigpu support