What do you absolutely hate about beloved Windows 7?

[stezo2k]

I absolutely hate Windows Explorer in 7.

The navigation pane is a complete mess.

Why isn't there a toolbar button to toggle it like in XP?

Folders don't automatically collapse, so it requires too much scrolling and with so many folders expanded, it's confusing.

I don't like the details pane, it takes up too much space. I prefer the status bar, except the status bar doesn't show file size anymore, making it pretty much useless.

Details pane doesn't automatically show file size if you select more than 15 files. You have to click "Show More Details".

Why doesn't it show anything in the titlebar? I have to run a program called AeroBar just to get this.

Explorer needs tabs, especially with the new taskbar. Jumping between folders when they're all grouped together into one icon is very annoying.

Why can't you disable thumbnails for specific file types / folders? You can only disable thumbnails completely, which is not what I want. I'd like to disable folder thumbnails because when I open my music folder, it starts to tear up the hard drive loading all the album art. The only way to stop this is to disable thumbnails entirely.

got it in one :) exactly how i feel, it would be a perfect OS if it wasnt for this. its the only thing that bothers me.

still love windows 7 though

[hdood]

I just ran into this problem today. :angry:

It's frustrating. The only way around it is by putting Windows into test mode (bcdedit /set testsigning on) and signing the driver files with a self-signed certificate (or forking out the $$$$ for a certificate, not very hobbyist friendly). Better than nothing, I suppose.

[NEVER85]

1) Microsoft should fix up classic theme as it just doesn't look that good - it looks quite bad actually. I think this was intential to justify removing classic theme from Windows 8 - in other words - Microsoft being pushy again. Explorer.exe should have some adjustments specifically for the classic theme and not try to remove it. For the record, I don't use classic since XP came along but why not appeal to those that like it?

2) Basic Theme look horrid compared to the themes that were possible with Windows XP. Just because it ain't transparent means that it should look pretty horrid? I do not like the lack of the ability to customize 7 themes to the extent of XP.

3) Hamburger Bar should be off by default. It looks dumb and the start menu button looks out of place.

4) The customization of Windows Explorer seems to have been stripped. I think this is a step backward. I would love to remove the get help button for example. Right Clicking on the top Windows Explorer toolbar does NOTHING...

5) I had to set my CPU to be in full power state all the time so that the interface wouldn't lagg..

6) No ability to set CTRL-ALT-DEL to just open taskmanger...

7) No MKV support and some audio formats support in W7. MKV I can forgive, but others - sorry no.

8) For a system that doesn't give an impression of being a bloated pile of poo, it sure does take up enough space to be considered one. The registry is around 120MB also - O_o

9) GODDAMN ANNOYING - location not indexed - would you like to index your entire 500GB external hardrive? crud when searching for stuff outside the indexed area. Annoying. Really Really Annoying.

10) chkdsk - the assumption here is that if one gets the chkdsk bug then the drivers will fix it. Microsoft could have assumed that this might not happen and included the ability to use old chkdsk.

1. I can agree. Classic was terrible looking in Vista and still is in 7, but I doubt Microsoft put much stock into it. It would've been nice if they at least made it look like XP's Classic but we can't all win.

2. Windows 7 is still in its infancy. When it hits GA and more and more themers get their hands on it, I'm sure we'll see a plethora of 7 themes.

3. Hamburger bar? If you mean the new taskbar, then I disagree wholeheartedly. The new taskbar is one of the best additions to the Windows UI.

4. I can see how this would be a pain for those who prefer a minimalistic Explorer interface, but it doesn't bother me at all.

5. This one doesn't even make sense. Unless your computer can't handle Aero or for some reason you disabled DWM, 7's interface is GPU rendered, so we didn't have to deal with the tearing effects of having a CPU rendered UI like in XP.

6. Then use CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.

7. What audio formats? I haven't had an issue playing any audio formats, ranging from simple WAV to FLAC. If you don't have MKV support, then download the https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=announce&f=12&id=11 codec pack for Windows 7.

8. This is a redundant argument. 7 is no bigger than Vista, an OS that precedes 7 by almost 3 full years. In 2006, Vista was heavy enough to be considered bloated on the machines being sold at the time, but the machines that will be preloaded with 7? Hardly. If you were hoping for it to be like XP and be about 3 GB in installation size, then you're delusional. That was 2001, this is 2009. If you or your computer can't keep up, that's your problem.

9. Then index it?

10. Who cares? Who has the need to be running chkdsk all the time? This is a non-issue.

[lalalawawawa]

What minimize bug?

Sometimes when I minimize one window, and then minimize a second one, the first one maximizes itself automatically. I don't know why is this happening. It annoys me greatly.

[Subject Delta]

By design, it gave me low memory errors.

By design, it can't free up memory when needed by other applications.

By design, it crashed my computer

By design, it disallows many users from using it.

By design, it is a valid reason to stay with Vista or XP where you can play Crysis while chckdsk is running.

By design, it was a mistake, a bad one at that.

Seriously, it is actually better for Windows 7 to blame it on the drivers then to say that it was "by design" responsible for low memory errors/ scripts not running because of low memory / icons dissapearing because of low memory / etc. It by design fails at resource management.

If it crashed your computer, then your computer is at fault. And seriously, you play games whilst you are running disk checks?

You make it sound like a big problem, how often do you even run chkdisk with the /r command?

[Xilo]

1) Explorer is very slow.

2) High ping times without registry tweaks and disabling stuff.

[Zmijutin]

It's a lot slower then first editions of 6xxx builds :(

[micro]

I think its absolutely great, amazingly fast and a huge improvement and step forward for windows.

[Argi]

Going through a set of pictures in Windows Picture Viewer is very slow (when it wasn't in Vista). I'm guessing(/hoping) it's just a bug.

[Guest xiphi]

By design, it gave me low memory errors.

By design, it can't free up memory when needed by other applications.

By design, it crashed my computer

By design, it disallows many users from using it.

By design, it is a valid reason to stay with Vista or XP where you can play Crysis while chckdsk is running.

By design, it was a mistake, a bad one at that.

Seriously, it is actually better for Windows 7 to blame it on the drivers then to say that it was "by design" responsible for low memory errors/ scripts not running because of low memory / icons dissapearing because of low memory / etc. It by design fails at resource management.

Holy crap. You play games while chkdsk is running? I bet you're the type to swap out cards while the system is rebooting hoping you can beat the BIOS in time (don't try this kids).

I think it's better for you to just not use computers at all. No one in their right mind would use their pc while chkdsk is running. Especially to play games like Crysis.

Going through a set of pictures in Windows Picture Viewer is very slow (when it wasn't in Vista). I'm guessing(/hoping) it's just a bug.

Probably just a driver issue. It's very fast for me.

[-KJ]

Windows 7 feels lighter, and more 'breathable' thanks to its use of spacing. So far an excellent experience on my XPS m1530.

However, I just ran into the seemingly common Superbar icon-go-blank (that paper icon) bug. But unlike others, I was able to unpin and repin to see the icon come back. Perhaps this was the fault of the application? It is a Java app if that makes any difference.

[Udedenkz]

1. I can agree. Classic was terrible looking in Vista and still is in 7, but I doubt Microsoft put much stock into it. It would've been nice if they at least made it look like XP's Classic but we can't all win.

2. Windows 7 is still in its infancy. When it hits GA and more and more themers get their hands on it, I'm sure we'll see a plethora of 7 themes.

3. Hamburger bar? If you mean the new taskbar, then I disagree wholeheartedly. The new taskbar is one of the best additions to the Windows UI.

4. I can see how this would be a pain for those who prefer a minimalistic Explorer interface, but it doesn't bother me at all.

5. This one doesn't even make sense. Unless your computer can't handle Aero or for some reason you disabled DWM, 7's interface is GPU rendered, so we didn't have to deal with the tearing effects of having a CPU rendered UI like in XP.

6. Then use CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.

7. What audio formats? I haven't had an issue playing any audio formats, ranging from simple WAV to FLAC. If you don't have MKV support, then download the https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=...;f=12&id=11 codec pack for Windows 7.

8. This is a redundant argument. 7 is no bigger than Vista, an OS that precedes 7 by almost 3 full years. In 2006, Vista was heavy enough to be considered bloated on the machines being sold at the time, but the machines that will be preloaded with 7? Hardly. If you were hoping for it to be like XP and be about 3 GB in installation size, then you're delusional. That was 2001, this is 2009. If you or your computer can't keep up, that's your problem.

9. Then index it?

10. Who cares? Who has the need to be running chkdsk all the time? This is a non-issue.

2) It is kinda that it is harder to customize compared to XP... XP themes didnt feel as "plain" as non-aero 7 GUI.

3) I would like #3, Mustard, Medium, Tots Please, and Dr. Pepper No Ice. Thank You. Try the hamburger bar when all your application have the same generic icon. Or try the hamburger bar if you have very bad visual memory.

4) I just want the ability to add or remove items that was present in XP.

5) Well it lagged before I did that. Resizing a window takes a lot of CPU. Feature? I hope not.

6) Step backward from XP.

7) I think it was vobris or MTS, I don't remember now. As you can see MKV files require 3rd party addons.

8) It sure would be nice. Faster install (less files to copy / extract / whatever ), more space for porn. A win win.

9) Why? Indexing by default is limited, which is very good indeed, but Microsoft forgot the "shut the hell up and stop annoying me" button when searching My Computer for example.

10) It is not a major issue, but a valid reason for keeping an older OS around.

If it crashed your computer, then your computer is at fault. And seriously, you play games whilst you are running disk checks?

You make it sound like a big problem, how often do you even run chkdisk with the /r command?

And you just said that it is not a driver issue? I can quote you on that.

I use the computer while chkdsk is running, which includes anything not related to the partition that the chkdsk is scanning at the current time. After all, chkdsk WAS (not anymore as it seems) a non-resource-intensive low-RAM process, thus intensive applications such as but not limited to games can be run (as long as they are not on the other partition on the drive that is being checked because then - it is SLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW).

Holy crap. You play games while chkdsk is running? I bet you're the type to swap out cards while the system is rebooting hoping you can beat the BIOS in time (don't try this kids).

I think it's better for you to just not use computers at all. No one in their right mind would use their pc while chkdsk is running. Especially to play games like Crysis.

Old Chkdsk was pretty much an idle process that removes on drive from access leaving you being able to do whatever in the meantime that does not involve the drive being checked. You have some weird misconception here... comparing hardware damage with software damage - damage can only result from an accidental disconnection of said hard drive which has nothing to do with software that I am running - it is like comparing a virus that deletes your porn with smashing your computer with a hammer.

Crysis can run without any problem. Not sure if I loose any FPS though with background processes. It is stable with the 1.21 patch, now before the 1.1 or 1.2 patch x64 crysis crashed :(

[O.G]

Still no native FLAC support.

[Access Denied]

It's frustrating. The only way around it is by putting Windows into test mode (bcdedit /set testsigning on) and signing the driver files with a self-signed certificate (or forking out the $$$$ for a certificate, not very hobbyist friendly). Better than nothing, I suppose.

Thank you. :yes:

[MS Bob 11]

Going through a set of pictures in Windows Picture Viewer is very slow (when it wasn't in Vista). I'm guessing(/hoping) it's just a bug.

And WL Photo Gallery is even slower. It takes a long time to open my huge collection of photos upon first startup and even longer to start a themed slideshow. Live Mail is also slow compared to Windows Mail.

Btw there seems to be a thread here about RTM bugs and general suggestions and feedback. Lots of users seem to be unhappy with the non-customizable Explorer.

[Subject Delta]

And you just said that it is not a driver issue? I can quote you on that.

Of course you can, because I know it was not a driver issue. And given your evident lack of knowledge about Windows 7, I doubt you have an explanation about how it can be a driver problem when it occurs on every chipset available?

[dewaaz]

I actually tried out Win7 today on my main rig today, and I don't like it so much. Windows Explorer is so much more painful to use than in XP when manipulating files. In XP, everything is neat, tidy and intuitive. In 7, it seems like they've moved things around JUST so they can have something different to put out.

And what is with libraries? Good for some who have files everywhere, but not for people who have all the documents/pictures/etc. in one location. I have 2 "Images" folders - one for Photos (camera photos), and one for random Pics plucked from the web. I like each folder sorted differently - "by Name" for Photos (in folders organised by year); and "by Date Modified" for Pics (I like to see the pics I've most recently saved).

With XP, they both sit in a My Pictures folder (which I renamed Pictures), and everything is just dandy. But with Win7, can I have different sort methods in my library? NO. Horrible. It seems libraries are ONLY useful if you have your data scattered in different locations, and only if the pictures/videos/whatever are EXACTLY the same (have the same sort method) - sux0r. Couldn't we at least have the option to disable libraries? And then the start bar points to libraries when you click on Pictures or Documents. Arg!

The superbar concept sounds exciting, but isn't so practical for day to day use. How do you know what apps you have open EASILY, if you have more than one instance of it? I mean at a glance - if you don't want to actually take the time to mouse over the app icon. You can select to "not combine" apps yes, but I'm sure this isn't the way the superbar was intended to be used.

Also, when you DO have more than one instance of an app open, what do you see? A little line on the side. THAT is how you are supposed to know more than once instance of an app is open. At least do something more intuitive, like how XP grouped apps (with a number so you could easily tell). If you're in a rush during the day using your PC, it's not so easy to see that little line to let you know another instance of an app is open.

Last gripe: What is with the start menu? What is it's purpose, since the superbar has taken pride of place? I understand the superbar has the most used apps, and rarely used apps get hidden way - but then why have the initial "commonly used apps" pane (you know, where apps go when you click "pin to START MENU")? Defeats the purpose of pinning apps to the startbar.

I feel the superbar has potential, but it has to be thought out properly. At present, it's merely a glorified Quick Launch toolbar, and doesn't fit well with the way the Start Menu has been designed.

And please, no hating. I WANTED to get off XP, and was really excited to get on to using Win7. But certain things just don't feel right. My impression of it is that it's been a case of "hey that's a cool idea, let's add that!" and not much thinking about actual daily use. But that's just me. XP is just so much simpler to use. For those who don't agree, look at this screenie I made of my XP a while ago here and tell me if you can get much simpler than that - while STILL retaining the same functionality. Why couldn't they keep everything neat and tidy like XP? :(

Reluctantly, I'll be going back to XP - the strange libraries function and difficulty in using Explorer are dealbreakers for me. Am I the only one? :s

[Subject Delta]

Personally, I do have data spanned across 4 different hard disks so I find the libraries useful

[Udedenkz]

Of course you can, because I know it was not a driver issue. And given your evident lack of knowledge about Windows 7, I doubt you have an explanation about how it can be a driver problem when it occurs on every chipset available?

It is a non-issue with XP, 2003, and XP x64 - thus it is either a Windows 7 bug or a driver issue. This laptop was made for XP or Vista.

[Darrian]

I hate that Windows 7 isn't free. Sheesh, I can't believe this thread is still kicking!

@dewaaz: There's nothing wierd about libraries once you get used to them, but they certainly shouldn't make you go back to XP. There was a thread a while back that instructed how you could disable them if you're willing to do a little work. If you wanted you could actually make Windows 7 look and function almost identically to your old desktop. Obviously you were willing to put in the work to make XP work for you, I don't understand why you can't do the same for 7.

[TerrorSpawn]

Win 7 (RTM) keeps my GPU fan running high after I play a 3D game. Even hours afterwards, the fan still is running high and is only solved with a restart. It does not do this on XP, Vista or Linux - the GPU fan spins down shortly after exiting the game on these operating systems. Needless to say it was enough to send me back to XP. I'm not a huge fan of Explorer in Win 7 either, especially the status bar and how it doesn't display drive / folder space or size!! Various other small but quite annoying issues that were carried over from Vista too.

[Hani]

seems like a powermizer/drivers related bug.

[Access Denied]

Personally, I do have data spanned across 4 different hard disks so I find the libraries useful

heck yes they are useful. good post ^^ :)

[dewaaz]

Personally, I do have data spanned across 4 different hard disks so I find the libraries useful

Yes fair enough, but they could have at least made it optional.

I think my biggest issue is that a library containing multiple folders can't have different view settings for each folder. That really sucks. I mean the way MS has set it up, they assume ALL the contents of a particular library are to be treated the same way. But if you have camera photos, for example, and miscellaneous pics (two separate folders) in the Pictures library and want them to have different view settings, you can't.

On another note: How do you add a specific FOLDER to a library? When I try to add a folder, it only adds the CONTENTS, not the folder itself :(

Anyone know how to do this?

[CL114C0777498D]

start button looks wrong/not special/awkward

no detachable toolbars (new toolbars are stuck on the taskbar)

windows live messenger integration

more clicks to switch tasks (in default/best-looking mode)

now that i can pin items to the taskbar, i don't see the purpose for the programs tray in the start menu. i want to reduce it to just the right-hand pane (and somehow retain the "all programs"/search functionality)

preview pane should be a setting remembered by each folder, not persistent on/off. it's a poor implementation of its function, apple quick-preview (spacebar) is much much much more useful, intuitive and practical.

why is flip3d still there? can't imagine a more useless way to switch windows. it's taking up the room an actually effective function could exist in.

basic theme still looks ****.