21 changes to look for in the Windows 7 Release Candidate
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There's more to the Windows 7 RC than just wallpaper
There's more to the Windows 7 RC than just wallpaper
By Ed Bott
Windows 7 Build 7048, which leaked out of Microsoft’s labs last week, isn’t the long-awaited Release Candidate (RC), but it does include changes that were checked in after the beta release and will be a part of the RC when it’s ready. So far, the new wallpaper (shown here) is getting most of the attention, but there are many more subtle tweaks as well. Here’s a preview of 21 changes – some big, some small – that have been added since the December 2008 beta release.
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
1. A new way to switch Control Panel views
1. A new way to switch Control Panel views
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Switch from Control Panel’s default category view to old-school large or small icons using the new drop-down view menu.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
2. No more Aurora backgrounds
2. No more Aurora backgrounds
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The dark blue Vista-style background is gone, replaced by a light blue with black text.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
3. Support for pen/touch devices
3. Support for pen/touch devices
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Does your hardware support pen or tablet functions? If the correct drivers are installed, you’ll see a notification here.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
4. No more “problems”
4. No more “problems”
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Potentially negative wording in the Reliability Monitor window has apparently been scrubbed for the final release.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
5. Windows LiveID integration
5. Windows LiveID integration
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In theory, any standards-compliant ID can hook into this feature. For now, only Windows LiveID works.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
6. Tweaks to Windows Explorer
6. Tweaks to Windows Explorer
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Pressing Windows key+E now takes you to the Computer window instead of to the Libraries pane, as in the beta.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
7. Changes to library windows
7. Changes to library windows
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Will these slight changes to the organization of libraries make this new feature any easier for new users to grok?n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
8. Usability tweaks for Homegroups
8. Usability tweaks for Homegroups
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On a home network with multiple Windows 7 PCs, you can set up and manage a Homegroup without going to the Network and Sharing Center.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
9. A cleaner Fonts folder
9. A cleaner Fonts folder
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The most welcome change in the new Fonts folder is the ability to hide fonts, including those from other languages.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
10. Aero Peek is now the official name
10. Aero Peek is now the official name
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Amazing! The clever code name (Aero Peek) actually replaces the original, boring name for this feature, called Desktop Preview in the beta.rn
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
11. New sound schemes
11. New sound schemes
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The new wallpapers are so flashy that you might overlook the big selection of new sound schemes.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
12. A new set of icons
12. A new set of icons
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The new icons have a distinctively bold look, with straight-on views compared to their angled predecessors.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
13. Easier ClearType adjustments
13. Easier ClearType adjustments
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The ClearType wizard has been in earlier builds of Windows 7, but it’s now directly accessible from the Display Control Panel.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
14. New ribbons for WordPad and Paint
14. New ribbons for WordPad and Paint
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You have to look pretty closely to see the changes in the newer versions of these bundled applets.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
15. Media Player streams to the Internet
15. Media Player streams to the Internet
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When you dig deeper into the new Stream menu, you’ll find options that enable you to stream music your Windows LiveID. In this build, however, the pieces to connect remotely are apparently missing.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
16. A smaller, slicker Mini Media Player
16. A smaller, slicker Mini Media Player
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When you shrink Windows Media Player 12 to its miniature version, it occupies a small, sleek square that is dramaticaly smaller than the version in the beta release.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
17. Radio station presets in Media Player
17. Radio station presets in Media Player
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Windows Media Player 12 includes a Radio Stations link in the navigation pane, although the code that allows you to actually save stations here isn’t yet included.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
18. In Media Center, Now Playing is calmer
18. In Media Center, Now Playing is calmer
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When playing music, the Now Playing background is a sliding wall of album covers. In this release, you can opt for s static background instead. n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
19. Simplifying Advanced Recovery options
19. Simplifying Advanced Recovery options
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Will these usability-driven tweaks to feature names and explanations make it easier for non-techies to create and save backups?n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
20. Simpler terminology for backups
20. Simpler terminology for backups
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Usability-driven interface changes are sprinkled throughout the Windows 7 Backup program.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
21. More user data in default backup sets
21. More user data in default backup sets
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For post-beta releases, the Windows 7 Backup program captures user data from locations that might otherwise be overlooked, like the hidden AppData folder.n
For more details, see A sneak peek at the Windows 7 Release Candidate.
