Windows 7 RTM: Impressions

Yesterday, I download and install final version of  Windows 7 from MSDN. Officially will be released on October 22. Since I was having a Beta and RC version and I am glade to say that Beta and RC were the best Microsoft products released, with both of them I have expression that they are final releases with few minor bugs.

So, what are a new features in Windows 7 and my impressions on them:

Improved Taskbar

Well, the new taskbar is very nice especially feature Jump Lists is a neat way to reach files that you’ve been working. But full-screen previews are messy for me, they are good for Windows Media Player 12 to have controls displayed in it but when I have a lots of same documents open like Notepad2, I’m just lost. Mac Exposé or similar feature Scale in Linux Compiz are far more better solutions, at least have much wider preview. Windows 7 have similar feature Aero Peek but it only shows shapes of opened applications, with no previews and no selecting.

Desktop enhancements

They are OK, I mentioned above Aero Peek but there is feature Snap for easier resizing windows, and there is a Aero Shake when you click on top pane and shake it with mouse, focuses on this window and minimizes all rest. In general nice features but for me far more away from those of Mac and especially of Linux compiz.

Windows Search

The feature introduced in Vista, something that was awaited for so many years, and reason why I don’t user XP and older versions of Windows. Even though that in XP Windows Search can be installed, but usability comparing with Vista and Windows 7 is a far poorer.

Internet Explorer 8

I must admit that i really hated IE 6 and things I have to do make some web pages do right in it. But with IE7 things have changed far more better, and with IE 8 we can say that Microsoft had make a pretty decent browser, and W3C compliant, that will put smile on most web developers.

View Available Network (VAN)

I’ve been very shaken with Vista Network Management, I really need some time to get used to it, but now I really pleased with it. Windows 7 is a two step better, and it’s quite a joy working with networks!

All in all Windows 7 is a great product, but only for newer hardware, and at least 1GB of RAM. I have enjoy it in Beta, RC and I see no reason why I shouldn’t enjoy it in this final version.