A preview of Windows 7(beta) features
After lots of confusion on the effectiveness of Windows Vista as the best operating system in some time from Microsoft, finally the improved version of Vista is going to be release very soon as retail version (though the beta version has already made way to the computers of thousand of beta testers). Almost all the users of Vista are eagerly anticipating the release of Windows 7 code named as Windows Vienna or the initial name of Blackcomb. According to various industry sources Microsoft infact planned for Windows Vienna but due to a long gap after release of Windows XP they released Windows Vista as an intermediate version with only some of the features planned for Vienna or Windows 7. As per other beta testers and my own experience Windows 7 is smple amazing. It is faster, more reliable, and is easier to use. There are lots of changes and have additional features (but all are preplanned for this final release) to the previous version of Windows. I thought of putting some of the interesting features in Windows 7. So here they go:
Improvement in User Interface:
Task bar
Microsoft has improved the task bar and full screen previews. The quick launch area form the task bar has been 
scrapped. The whole task bar will now act as quick launch as well as running apps will also share this place. The order of the icons placed on task bar can alos be changed now. For me it is a great relief. As I always wanted to put all those unused task at one place.
Jump List
This feature of taskbar helps you in accessing aparticular piece of application more quickly. Just right click on an icon in taskbar and a list will Jump up with recently opened program of same category. For example right click on Internet explorer and it will open recently visited websites. Right click on Explorer and you will be seeing recently opened folders, drives etc. Moreover any frequently used program or website can also be pinned to this list.
- Dragging the border from the top of the screen or away from the screen is the way to maximize or minimize the window.
- You can also compare the content of two windows just dragging the windows to its opposite direction.
- The sidebar gadgets seen on Vista is no longer confined to sidebar but can now be placed on anywhere on desktop. (I find this feature obtrusive and it is not useful for me as I fill the whole desktop with my icons, I am kinda nasty when it comes to utilize my desktop space).
- Peeking window feature lets you see other windows in the background or even the desktop gadgets without minimizing the current window. Once you click on the lower right corner of the screen, all the open windows will get transparent and you can view your gadgets on the screen.
- Colorful sticky notes feature looks cool on Windows 7 desktop. And it is not part of gadgets but a separate application.
Networking Features:
- A work computer when brought to Home will automatically be connected to home network. No more manual 
configuration change.
- Default printer is selected based upon the location like work or home.
- Libraries integrates similar items across multiple drives and networked location into one. ntegration of search functionality to it make the loook up of files much easier.
- If any wireless network is in range then the wireless indicator will light up on system tray. Then it will pop up a list of available wifi acces point. You can select the one you want and connect.
Take control of problems:
In earlier version of Windows, you use to receive lots of messages and alerts. In Windows 7, you can choose the message that you want to see. Windows 7 has an Action Center where it merges all the alerts from Windows features including Windows Defender and Security Center. Action Center will also keep the information for the future if you do not have time to see it right away.
- System tray on bottom right can be customized to the fullest. You can remove icons on it or even remove the whole system tray.
- Much more improvement in the speed at which Windows 7 operates t operates. All operations like starting, shutting down, putting in sleep mode and the most anticipated file copy features are now much faster than Vista.
- After startup, the memory used in windows 7 is in the range of 500MB to 550MB where as in Vista it was more than 700MB. So this is also a major improvement.
Media Sharing:
Isn’t it amazing, if you can share your music, videos and pictures from one place to other computer at home. You don’t have to copy those files in external media like CD/DVD or Pen Drive. Windows 7 has capability of sharing your music, videos and picture all the way through your home. You can access your media files using Windows 7 computer anywhere from the home. But you need to have at least two computer having Windows 7.
Windows Touch:
Bored of using keyboard and mouse every day, Windows touch is the new technology added into Windows 7; you can use your touch screen 
monitor to play music videos or to accomplish other task in your computer. You just have to use your finger to scroll, resize or zoom the windows. Remembered the features in surface it is exactly the same.
Handwriting recognition:
Handwriting recognition is also one of the big and new features added in Windows 7. You can create personalized dictionaries, sum math’s using pen inputs. It also supports new languages.
This beta release of Windows 7 s for playing around as much as you can and report the bugs you find to make it a more successful final retail release and making it bug free. So contribute as much as you can. To share your thoughts, click the “Send Feedback” link at the top of any window in Windows 7.
A couple of screen shots of Windows 7
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