Microsoft Windows 7 RC1 to be available next week, chock full of new features
Microsoft confirmed on Friday the rumored May release of Windows 7 RC1. The release candidate version of Microsoft’s upcoming OS will be available on April 30th to MSDN and TechNet subscribers, with a broader public availability slated for May 5th. RC1 adds several new features to Windows 7 including remote media streaming, Windows XP mode and some slick new eye candy. Also the remote media streaming, if it works as well as promised, might just give services like Orb a run for their money. Associate your Windows Media player library with your Windows Live ID and you can stream your media across the Internet from any remote PC. Sweet! Before you get too excited, this is Microsoft we’re talking about so both computers must be running the same version of Windows Media player. This cool new feature will not work from Mac or Linux machines, so take note if your personal arsenal of computers includes any.
Windows 7 will also include a new XP Mode meant to assist businesses as they transition from Windows XP to Windows 7. XP Mode will utilize Windows Virtual PC to provide a full-fledged Windows XP virtual environment which, theoretically, will allow users to run all those legacy Windows XP applications without issue. Last but not least, Windows 7 RC1 will see some eye candy in the form of stunning background graphics. Microsoft has been slowly adding new background images throughout the development process and now the public will get its first look at Microsoft’s sense of style. All you folks still running Windows XP with its default green rolling hills background might just be pleasantly surprised.
[Via Giz]
new features… or new f–k ups???!!!
the background is interactive you can sit and watch the grass grow while you wait.
not to sound cynical CWA_ATT but what are you “waiting” for? If it takes programs that long to load, that I can actually see grass growing on my computer, maybe i’ll forgo the ‘upgrade’
XP Mode is a good move, just hope that Windows Virtual PC runs fast enough.
I mean, streaming music is nice and all, but what enhancements will it bring to the corporate IT world that XP doesn’t already bring?
He’s just anti-Microsoft and doesn’t want people to upgrade for some reason (and it seems like its working).
I’d upgrade if it’s worth it. I’m not concerned about the corporate side of things, jsut personal user experience. I’m comfortable with xp, can navigate Vista well enough for what I do, but if they’re just going to apply a new skin to the same OS then why bother with the upgrade? I’m not asking a rhetorical question either, if anyone can list the benefits of 7 vs. xp/Vista I’d like to hear your input.
Wow, it’s not even out yet and already it’s taking a beating. I guess that dork in the Mac commercials is really getting the point across…lol.
Seriously, if the RC1 of Windows 7 is anything close to what ships, I will gladly fork over the cash. I honestly think the Build 700x series Beta runs faster than XP (yes, I meant XP, and of course Vista) plus has all the extra “eye candy” Vista has. Actually it has more because “Aero” seems to no longer require a lightning fast GPU.
This is the first os “advancement” I’ve seen Microsoft come out with that actually gives life to older pc’s/laptops. I currently have it installed on several Thinkpads- T41, T42, R60, two T60’s, and two X41 Tablets. I may put the RC1 release on my X61 Tablet tonight seeing how I just finished burning the iso of it this morning.
Speculate all you want. I’m already sold!
yo yeah i stil have my old toshiba trecr a8 ez311 run bettet tha xp or vist an faster too
Less bullshit “new features” more faster OS that doesn’t require me to get a new computer. Otherwise I’m sticking with my XP laptop for the same reasons I didn’t “upgrade” to vista.
As a satisfied user of Windows Vista, I don’t see much reason for me to upgrade here… I mean, if I used a touch-screen PC (and I’d like to, but for price) or had older hardware that wasn’t running Vista well or was still on XP I might consider it, though, but since I don’t I don’t see much point for myself.
Having tried the beta, there is good reason to upgrade from Vista. PERFORMANCE. It performs faster than XP on similar hardware, and lots of people who have tested it will tell you the same thing.
Virtual XP WILL NOT be part of the RC as per the official announcement. A beta will be released seperately from Windows 7 RC and a final version around the same time as the final Windows 7.
As an avid windows hater and mac lover…windows 7 blows away xp and vista. The people who hate it in this post obviously haven’t used it, or are mac fanboys who give the rest of us “macalos” a bad name. You’re like the bible thumpers of technology hating things just cause. Anyways, like I said…can’t wait as far as the pricing goes though..the version I want will be expensive. But who honestly pays for software anymore….outside of the business world of course.
P
@J.P Michaels – you’re an Apple loving douchebag who doesn’t know anything about other OS’s. You just take whatever Apple (Steve Jobs) decides to stick inside your a**. You’ll just take it like a champ without questioning anything (or any lube) and fork over the cash.
@Other high-functioning-retards that don’t know anything about the Windows 7 OS. Before you even build an opinion about this OS, try the product first-hand and then give your opinion.
Windows 7 is going to be the best Windows OS released by Microsoft, hands-down. I have been using it since it was in Alpha build stages and it has improved drastically. XP doesn’t stand a chance next to Windows 7. I’ve been using the Windows 7 RC as my primary OS on all of my computers and I cannot wait to have the RTM.
About Snow Leopard, definitely an upgrade I’m waiting on because of all the stability and performance upgrades. I will most likely get a new Macbook when this OS is released.
It’s good to have knowledge of all OS’s that are being widely used and I recommend that most people do so too before building and giving their opinion. Don’t base your opinion based on advertisement – that’s being a douchebag.
@Kelly Hodgkins – There is no RC1. There is only going to be an RC and than going to RTM (Release To Manufacturers).
hmm… conclusion: win7 = yawn.
media streaming .. been able to do that in linux for over a year, plus i’m not tied to one specific os. i can transcode on the fly to get the same media on an n800 or psp or a local ps3 or whatever …
virtual xp .. um .. we’ve been able to do this for a very, very long time .. seamless mode great
eye candy .. very subjective .. i can usually find something sexy available from community sites … who uses oem wallpaper??????
Yiiipppeee! Windows 7 for the win!
gimme a break people win 7 looks very promising
lets give it a chance ok
come on people lets give it a chance i have used the beta and it looks very promising
give it a break
yeah it’s microsoft i agree but it looks good for a change … they were more worried about security from piracy then a good program on vista
I am waiting for the full release anxiously. Vista is a very good step forward, Win7 should be even better.
he if xp mod can fool the MGS installer im solds
Despite Win7 being what Vista should have been in the first place. The beta runs faster then my XP and Vista partitions. I like it so much now I can’t remember the last time I booted to XP or Vista or even needed to.
The only thing Win7 lacks for me is better Bluetooth software.
The search function is vista is pretty fantastic. It’s not offered in XP, and does a hell of a job.