{"id":5462,"date":"2009-04-20T06:29:43","date_gmt":"2009-04-20T06:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=5462"},"modified":"2009-04-20T11:14:03","modified_gmt":"2009-04-20T11:14:03","slug":"windows-7-change-log-beta-to-rc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/windows-7-change-log-beta-to-rc\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows 7 Change Log: Beta to RC"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/span><\/p>\n

More details have now surfaced about the changes that have taken place in Windows 7 Beta to become what is now\u00a0the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC). The Release Candidate is now available for download for MSDN and TechNet subscribers. The general public will get their taste on May 5, 2009. <\/span><\/p>\n

There have been quite a number of changes,\u00a0however, going from Beta to RC and here are some of the new and well-received ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our source of information and pictures included in this article are from the <\/span>Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The details are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Desktop Experience<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Improved taskbar thumbnail overflow<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

The enhanced taskbar in Windows 7 groups\u00a0windows together and shows thumbnails when you hover over it. Now there is a new feature avoiding thumbnail scaling issues when there are a lot of windows in the group. A list is now displayed and each item in the list has a close button on the right side just as the thumbnails would.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\"List<\/span>

List View of running windows appears on hover and supports close<\/p><\/div>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Control Panel Jump List<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

The Control Panel jump list in Windows 7 Release Candidate<\/span>, now displays recently used items for quick access. This feature was absent in the beta.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/span>

The Control Panel Jump List now surfaces recently used items<\/p><\/div>\n


\n <\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>PowerShell Jump List<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

PowerShell now features a robust Jump List that affords a method to load modules, launch the Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) and open documentation. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Remote Desktop Jump List<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

You are able to add your Remote Desktop shortcut to the taskbar and now you can save settings and display recent items. The ability to pin the connections to the Jump List is now available.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

5.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Applying taskbar settings<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Previous versions of Windows (including the 7 Beta) only saved your taskbar settings after you exit Windows Explorer at the end of a session, either by logging off, restarting or shutting down. If you didn\u2019t properly shut down, then your settings might not be saved and you could\u00a0find that you have been reverted to your previous state. Now, all that has been revamped on the architectural level and settings are now saved after 30 seconds. This makes applying taskbar settings a lot more reliable.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Touch<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Multi-touch zoom<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The multi-zoom feature was well-accepted by many persons during the Beta. Now, this zoom gesture has been added to Windows Explorer. For example, you can switch between view modes in Windows Explorer like changing from Small Icons to Extra Large icons. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Windows Explorer and Libraries<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

7.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Invert Selection<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Although rarely used by\u00a0some people, many enthusiasts will welcome the Invert Selection feature.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

8.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Going up?<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

When navigating through your folders, it can get annoying to want to go \u2018up\u2019 and have to click on the overflow dropdown to select the parent folder. Well, the overflow algorithm has now been improved and the parent folder will now always be visible. If there isn\u2019t enough space to display the entire name, it is truncated instead of going into overflow. Clicking on the parent folder is a quick and easy way to go back \u2018up\u2019, whereas the back button still functions and so does the keyboard shortcuts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Parent

In Beta, a parent folder would collapse into an overflow dropdown<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"In

In RC, parent folders always remain within single click access<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

9.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Finding music by artist<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

It is now possible to search for music in the Music Library by \u201cArtist\u201d (as in Album Artist), instead of by \u201cContributing Artist\u201d. Previously, there were a lot of <\/span>controversial<\/span><\/em> categorizations made but now there is a new level of consistency created with this new method, both in applications and with devices. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

10.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>New folder is always available<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

A top-level \u201cNew Folder\u201d button has now been included in the RC. Instead of selecting it in a menu (or sub-menu if you right-click), you can now create a new folder in a single click as this button will always appear in Windows Explorer.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

11.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Right-click in Windows Explorer<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

Right-click behaviour has now been updated. Previously there was a need to have extra space to the right in a window just so as to right-click to do certain tasks or else you would wind up right-clicking a file or folder and getting the item\u2019s context menu. Now you will be able to click on any large white space, including the space between a file name and its properties, so you can get the background context menu for things like View, Sort, Group, Paste,\u00a0and so on. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

12.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Content view for search results<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

A new view mode has been added in the Windows 7 RC and it is Content View. Especially useful for search results, this view will add a lot of functionality to the way you view your files\/content. From coloured filenames to labelled properties, this new feature is definitely a keeper.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

13.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Intelligent re-indexing after application installation<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a0<\/span>Windows 7 Release Candidate, the Windows Search service will now be more active instead of passively waiting for the user to update the index. It will now automatically re-index the system when new files are added and\/or when new supported file types become available. This will end up saving a lot of time and effort on the user\u2019s part.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Performance<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

14.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Trimming sound schemes to help performance<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

Performance is one of the main concerns for a user and as such the <\/span>labelled<\/span> has trimmed the logoff and shutdown WAV files. This results in saving up to 400ms of time.<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Device Stage<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

15.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Baseline Device Stage experience<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

Device Stage continues to improve. The list of supported devices continues to lengthen and the manufacturers are making more of an effort to ensure that their devices are added to that list. The core functionality remains the same but all the branding, imaging and vendor-specific tasks are now available automatically in the same convenient user interface.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Device

Baseline Device Stage experience for a mobile phone<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

16.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Devices and Printers enhancement<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

PC and laptop makers are jumping on the Device Stage bandwagon by helping to customize the user\u2019s experience and to make as many\u00a0options available as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Device

Device Stage experience for a PC<\/p><\/div>\n


<\/p>\n


\n <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Devices and Printers<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

17.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Unified experience for removing devices<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

When removing devices that are not in use, instead of removing related tasks such as deleting print queues for printers or removing pairing information for Bluetooth devices, a full uninstall is now done.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

18.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Hardware properties<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a0<\/span>Windows 7 Release Candidate, you will now be able to directly check the properties of your connected hardware, instead of having to go to the Device Manager. This will be a lot more convenient.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

19.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Improved eject experience<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

Ejecting has now become more streamlined and consistent. The \u201cSafely remove\u201d is gone and now everything is \u201cEject\u201d. While maintaining this denotation, it is helpful to note that this is a \u2018smart\u2019 feature and for example, ejecting an optical drive will physical eject the media, while ejecting a USB flash drive will \u201csafely remove\u201d the device. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

20.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>USB device reliability on resume<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

During the Beta, there was a peculiar issue with USB devices ceasing to function after a suspend\/resume cycle. The only workaround was to unplug the device and then reconnect it.
\n This was okay for external devices but is in no way practical for internal ones. Nevertheless, I am sure that no end-user would live with that in a \u2018final\u2019 release. This issue has now been solved with the Release Candidate and there will be no workaround needed. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

21.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>FireWire camera support<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

Some persons had problems while using the Beta and trying to connect and stream contents from their 1394 HDV cameras. The issue was with the Beta\u2019s core 1394 stack and it has now been resolved in\u00a0<\/span>Windows 7 Release Candidate.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Device Installation<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

22.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Add Legacy Hardware functionality restored<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cAdd Legacy Hardware\u201d function was removed from Windows 7 on the premise that it was hardly ever used. However, during the Beta it became clear that this function is still very useful for connection certain non-Plug and Play devices. For this reason it has now been restored to the Device Manager. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

23.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Increased responsiveness of Add Printer Wizard<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

There are some legacy network printers that Plug and Play cannot automatically identify, even though the appropriate driver is available on Windows Update. To resolve this, a user would manually have to retrieve the driver from Windows Update but during Beta, there was no notification of the retrieval process and as such, users got the false impression of a hung system. User interface changes have been made and a progress bar is now displayed. Additionally, there has also been performance improvements associated with this retrieval.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

System<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

24.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Partition size reduction<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Windows 7 System partition enables features \u201cout of the box\u201d that will allow the Windows Recovery Environment and Bit Locker to use half as much storage space.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

25.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Reserved System Partition naming<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

The system partitions created by default installations will now be labelled as \u201cSystem Reserved\u201d to avoid confusion and to prevent accidental deletion. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

26.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Dual Boot partition drive letter assignment<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

In dual or multiple boot setups, the other operating systems\u00a0installed are now assigned drive letters and as such now show up in Windows Explorer. This removes the perception of a \u201clost install\u201d or a \u201clost partition\u201d. Also, it allows for navigation across OS installations. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

27.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Pagefile reduction<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Windows pagefile has now been slimmed down to 100% of system memory (RAM), instead of the previous method of using \u201cMemory + 300MB\u201d. The system will still increase the size if required but the pre-allocated amount is now less. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Network<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

28.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Improved driver support<\/strong><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

There is now increased inbox network driver coverage across wired and wireless, with significant coverage for some of the new ATOM-based laptops. <\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Source: <\/span>A few more changes from Beta to RC\u2026<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is why providing feedback on beta software is important. All these fixes, changes and improvements were made because of regular users of the beta that submitted their thoughts, comments and suggestions to the Microsoft development team. It is good to know that the end user can have a say in what we <\/span>eventually<\/span><\/em> get, instead of having to wait on patches or service packs after release.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay tuned to ABT for more information in the coming weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leon Hyman<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Senior ABT Editor<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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