Alright to stave off more and more threads being started about the next Operating System by Microsoft I have created this in effort to give you the best information possible.
Now this information is the most current info given
by Microsoft. Not by any 3rd party sources or any news articles. This is the info that has been given out and can be found on the web. So here you go:
Basic information:
Windows 7, also known as "Codename Vienna" before that known as "Codename Blackcomb" is the next major version of Microsoft WindowsTM tentatively due for release in 2010.
New Features in Windows 7:
DirectX 11 - Page for info on that located
here. Will update when i find a better source.
New Feature in the Kernel OS base:
Homegroup - Codename Longhorn "Castles" feature revived.
MiniWin Kernel
More on Homegroups:
In the original Longhorn implementation, Castles were intended to be a more-simplified, wizard-driven implementation of the age-old TCP/IP "workgroups" feature. HomeGroups' purpose is to make it easy for users to create secure networks groups for sharing media, files, and settings across multiple computers in a LAN.
Windows HomeGroup is officially described in
this Microsoft document pertaining to the Codename Longhorn PDC implementation of "Castles"
New Apps and stuff:
Accessories - Calculator, Paint, and more finally updated.
Superbar
Slideshow for desktop wallpaper display
User Inferface Changes:
More colors to choose from, easier to create and modify themes.
Check here for a list of already done themes and other such items ready made for Win7.
Release Date:
October 22, 2009
Kernel Information
The Kernel for Win7 is a revamped Vista Kernel. It has been reduced and optimized for best overall everything. Resource Usage is down, Space usage is down. Just about everything that was hated about Vista has been fixed and adjusted.
Windows 7 FAQ Question: How do I know what each version includes or which one is right for me?
Answer: While we can't tell you which version is right for you we can give you a list of each version and what it includes. Listed Below:
Edition
Description
Windows® 7 Enterprise
Enterprise is the business-focused SKU for managed environments, advanced data protection, networking and security needs. Enterprise will ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Windows® 7 Ultimate
Ultimate is the no-compromise SKU for those who want all Windows features, including business.
Windows 7 Ultimate has the same features as the Enterprise Edition, but is licensed differently.
Ultimate will ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Windows ® 7 Professional
Professional is the business-focused SKU for small and lower mid-market companies and users who have networking, backup, and security needs and multiple PCs or servers.
Professional will ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Windows® 7 Home Premium
Home Premium is the standard consumer SKU, providing full functionality on the latest hardware and easy ways to connect. Home Premium features advanced graphics effects, support for touch-screen interfaces, and Media Center, among other features.
Home Premium will ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Windows® 7 Home Basic
Home Basic is a simple version of Windows 7. It offers a basic Windows interface and feature list. Home Basic is meant for accessing the internet and running basic productivity applications.
This version of Windows is offered through OEM and retail channels in emerging markets only.
Home Basic will ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Windows® 7 Starter
This edition of Windows 7 is aimed at beginning computer users. It has the fewest features of the Windows 7 editions. Windows XP and Vista also had Starter Editions with significant limitations. Windows 7 Starter Edition will be available to OEMs worldwide.
This version of Windows is offered worldwide through OEMs only.
Starter will ship in a 32-bit version only.
Question: What are the System Requirements? How do i know if i can run Windows 7?
Answer: The system Requirements are as follows:
1GHz or Better Processor 1GB of RAM 16GB of free space on your hard drive Support for DirectX 9 with 128MB of Video Memory (For Aero Support) DVD Optical Device
Along with this you can also run the
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. This will tell you what issues you will have with your current setup when you move to Windows 7.
*NOTE*
The Upgrade Advisor is not a end all report. It doesn't distinguish if you are going to format before you install or anything like that. It is programmed to regards you movement to Windows 7 as a in-place upgrade to Windows 7. It is just to tell you what software you are running compatibility with Windows 7. If you are doing a format and then clean install of Windows 7 then what it tells you in inconsequential. It will just be a reference point for you to know what software you will have to find compatible versions of to install in Windows 7 after you get to that point.
Question: What media formats are supported by default in Win7?
Answer:File Formats Newly Supported in Windows Media Player 12
File Type -
File Name Extension(s) - Description
3GPP/3GPP2 Audio/Video -
.3gp, .3gpp, .3g2, .3gp2 - Allows delivery and playback of multimedia over 3G wireless networks.
ADTS Audio -
.aac - Used for streaming audio content from media players or websites in Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or MPEG-4 Audio formats.
AVCHD Video -
.m2t, .m2ts, .mts - High-definition video container format used by many portable video recorders. It typically uses the H.264 video compression codec (also known as MPEG-4 AVC).
MP4 Video -
.m4v, .mp4, .mp4v - This widely used high-definition video container format typically uses H.264 video compression.
MPEG-2 TS Video -
.ts, .tts - A streaming format used to deliver synchronized digital audio and video; commonly used in European digital TV systems.
MPEG-4 Audio -
.m4a - Also known as Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), this is the default format used by Apple's iTunes software and online music store; files in this format that use Apple's FairPlay copy protection are not supported, nor are those that use Apple Lossless Format.
QuickTime Movie -
.mov - A container format used by many portable video cameras.
Question: How do i install a driver?
Answer: There are many ways to install a driver. Now you can go this the normal way by just trying to use the installer. If this does not work then you have a few options.
a.) Right click and Run as Admin
b.) Right click and use the Troubleshoot Compatibility
c.) Right click on the installer. select properties. There click on the Compatibility Tab. There check the box for Compatibility Mode and select the OS that the driver was originally made for. (Vista/ XP) Click okay and try it.
d.) In the Device Manager double click on the device in question, click the driver tab. From there if you are dual booting you can lead it to your other OS drive and use the C:\Windows\Drivers folder to see if you can get the driver to install. can also try leading it to your CD or other installer to see if you can force install that way. If you have the .inf file that would be the best option.
*Note*
Not all drivers/devices will work in Windows 7. It is a Beta and not everything is supported. There is a list started by Microsoft that has devices that are already supported located
here.
Question: Why doesn't my XP install show up in Computer?
Answer: Check the Disk Management, (Start>Run>compmgmt.msc>Left Pane under Storage select Disk Management) check to make sure the XP install is assigned a Drive Letter. If not right click and assign one to it.
Question: What version of DirectX is included in Widnows 7?
Answer: DirectX 11 is installed by default. If you are trying to game you will have to most likely install
DX9 Runtimes from Sept 2009 (Fully Win7 compatible) to get them working. No this will not overwrite your DX11 that is currently installed.
Question: Will i need a new video card since Windows 7 will have DirectX11?
Answer: No. DirectX 11 won't just ignore your fancy DirectX 10 or 10.1 cards – nope, it offers support for both of those standards, as well as for new DirectX 11 hardware.
Question: Is Windows 7 x86 (32 Bit) or x64 (64 bit)?
Answer: At this time both. There is a 32 Bit version and a 64 Bit version. It is not confirmed at this time if x86 (32 Bit) will be dead after Windows 7 is released.
Question: Does Daemon Tools or Alcohol 120% work?
Answer: The RC build you can install Daemon Tools. It gives a bit of a hassle to install at first but it will install and work. It installs and works flawlessly on the final build as well.
Question: What Anti-Virus work on Windows 7 Beta?
Answer: There is a list of fully compatibile solution from Microsoft listed
here. Others that have been mentioned to work are AVG, Avast, NOD32, Microsoft Security Essentials.
Question: If there Multi-Monitor Support?
Answer: Yes and no. Yes it will support Multi-Monitors. But it will not extent the Taskbar onto that window. Microsoft has a Blog Entry about the reasons to this located
here.
Question: What Email Program do you use with Windows 7 Beta?
Answer: There is no included email program. You will have to get Windows Live Mail part of the Live Essentials Package or use a alternative like Outlook or Thunderbird.
Question: Is UAC in Windows 7?
Answer: Yes. It has been tweaked from that of Windows Vista but it still does exist. For information pertaining to this please see
this thread.
Question: Why does my WEI (Windows Experience Index) Score show differently than it did in Windows Vista.
Answer: This has been adjsuted by Microsoft to be different and to be tested differently. Windows Vista has a high score of 5.9 while in Widnows 7 the high score now is 7.9. SSD have been added to the performance index as well. For a full explanation please
see this post.
Question: When does the Beta Expire? (Beta meaning Build 7000)
Answer: August 1, 2009.
Question: When does the RC Build 7100 Expire?
Answer: March 2010
Question: Can I remove Windows 7 once it expires?
Answer: Yes. You can delete the drive partition and extend your other partition to include this space once the Beta/RC expires.
Question: When I installed Windows 7 it did not assign my Windows XP/Vista a drive letter.
Answer: This is a known bug and has been reported. To fix this go into Disk Management and manually assign a drive letter. This should not be present in the final build. It has not been reported as of yet but it could happen. Which is why this has been left here.
Question: When i try to add a new icon to my taskbar with the Right Click add to Taskbar the icon doesn't show. What's up with that?
Answer: If you already have 4 icons on your taskbar this method will not work. You will have to drag and drop your shortcuts if you have 4 or more icons present on your taskbar. This is a known bug and has been reported.
Question: When i click on the Explorer Icon how do i get it to show Computer instead of Libraries?
Answer: This page
here. This will give you some of the insider secrets to the finer points of the new Interface.
Question: How do i get OpenGL working?
Answer: Use
OpenAL. This will unlock the OpenGL properties in Win7 without much hassle.
This is the list of the common questions presented at this time. As more come along i will edit this and add them.
Question: Can i install from a Virtual Drive without any issues?
Answer: Yes. Win7 install is not like previous versions of Windows. It copies the files from the source to the HDD right from the start. Before it even makes it to the first reboot during the install all files needed for the install are already on the PC. So if you are using a DVD or going from a ISO image, it wont matter. At the time the system hits the reboot it wont need the media or image anymore. All files are located on the drive at this time.
Question: How do I run a program in Compatibility Mode?
Answer: There are 2 methods that can be used.
1. Right click the executable file, select properties. From there select teh Compatibility Tab and check the box for using a different OS Mode. There use the drop down menu to select the OS of choice. Then check the box for Run as Admin (simply as a precaution, might not be needed for all apps). Click okay and then run the application as normal.
2. Right click the executable select the Troubleshoot Compatibility Option. This will guide you to how the program should be run and give you the option to run it in the preferred OS Mode.
Question: When will i be able to get the RTM?
Answer: It is Available now.
Question: Will i be able to upgrade from the RC Build to the RTM Build?
Answer: No. There is no upgrade from
RC to RTM.
Quote:
|
Users of Windows 7 pre-RTM development milestones will not be able to perform in place upgrades to the gold release of the operating system, according to Microsoft. The Redmond company has made available for download the Windows 7 Upgrade Paths, a resource designed to provide information on the “supported and unsupported upgrade paths for editions of the Windows 7 operating system.”
|
So you should find out now from the
provided documentation what upgrade paths are available for you.
Question: I got the Upgrade Media, can i use it for a format and reinstall?
Answer: YES. It has now been confirmed and tested by a member that this does work!
Quote:
Originally Posted by zythyl  Tried and tested, my "upgrade" disk has been booted and I just reformated my C: drive.
Feels good, man.  |
**Updated for RTM (Final Release Build or Release to Manufacturing)**
Windows 7 FAQ and Questions 
Linear Mode
