Microsoft to let consumers test Windows 7 on Friday

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by ronjor, Jan 7, 2009.

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  1. Trespasser

    Trespasser Registered Member

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    14 Minutes? 2 hours here and I have the fastest (for my area) DSL service that Verizon offers. I hate you guys with super fast download speeds. ;).

    Later....
     
  2. wtsinnc

    wtsinnc Registered Member

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    Me again.

    Completed and installed the download last night.
    The 2.43 GB file took about 3:45 to download (1.5 mbs DSL).

    I burned to DVD and was able to install to an empty hard drive without any problem.
    The entire installation and initial set-up was very "Vista-like". There several minor differences regarding access to a few particular functions but overall, if you've run Vista you should have a pretty easy time finding your way around.

    I decided to bypass Microsoft's antivirus recommendations (Norton, AVG, or Kaspersky) and test 7's compatibility with Avast Home and it installed/updated/scanned completely without incident.
    To-date, that is the only antivirus I've run.

    Other software that installed with no problem were CCleaner, Java, Adobe reader and Flash Player, DVDFab HD Decrypter (latest version), Imgburn, (surprisingly) DVD Shrink, the aformentioned Avast, Win Patrol, Pop Peeper, and IE7 Pro browser add-on.
    -Also-
    I was able to transfer my "Favorites" from Vista saved to CD-R to W/7 with no problem using 7's backup and restore program.

    The built-in defragmenter works great as far as I can tell and although it doesn't include the graphical interface as in XP, it gives more information than the version in Vista (progress expressed in percentage).

    The overall size of the installed package was slightly over 10 GB and I was able to reduce that to about 8 GB following the removal of temporary files and all but the most recent restore point.
    Currently, the install with 18 programs totals less than 9 GB.

    As of now, the only concern is that I'm still unable to download a key. Repeated attempts have failed but maybe later today.
    I wish Microsoft had implemented an automatic download link into the installation package. It sure would have made things more simple.

    -Anyway, that's my long-winded post.
    I wonder how others are doing with 7 and what other antivirus, antispyware, firewall, and HIPS applications have already been tried with it.
     
  3. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    Hey HiTech_boy,
    i dont really see many new features.
    the new taskbar will take awhile to get used to.
    the libaries will also take awhile to get used to.
    will have to wait until i try on a real machine to try out device stage.
    action centre is an improvement.
    not sure if i find it much faster.
    may just image vista and then install it to that partiton and see how it goes.

    it has the things i like after vista but is faster and has some nice additions.
    definatly think the public will like this if they are willing to try it.
    they made most stuff optional such as mail clients and messenger so why not media player and IE?
    i have noticed that unlike vista once you close IE the other IE process closes with it.
    one of the other main things i like are trigger services which only run when needed and shut off after. hopfully thirdparty companies will make use of that as well.

    one thing i dont like is the fact when i click on my username on the start menu i was expecting it to open (driveletter):\Users\Name
    but instead it opened up libaries.
    i wanted to open the download folder. it isnt under libaries so i had to browse the whole path.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2009
  4. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    twl845,

    It will work on your computer. It works on my P4 with 384 MB RAM. It's slow, but usable.
     
  5. twl845

    twl845 Registered Member

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    OK thanks for the tip. :D
     
  6. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    Isn,t it 2.5 GB?

    Thanks
     
  7. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    Thought it was too from what I had read. Managed to d\l both 32 and 64. 3.15 GB .iso of both. Not sure what I have :doubt: and won`t know until my test PC is back up and running. :p

    EDIT:Both from legit links.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2009
  8. wtsinnc

    wtsinnc Registered Member

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    Hi aigle;

    My download (32 bit version) was 2.43 GB and worked perfectly after two previous failed downloads of about 2.0 and 2.68 GB.
    See posts 11 and 14 in this thread.
    I have no idea what was responsible for the difference in download size, but neither worked.

    Still don't have an activation key, though.
    The recommended link(s) all continue to give me an error message that the file ... was not found.

    ...Perhaps tomorrow... :doubt:
     
  9. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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  10. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    I got my license key by first going here:

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx

    Then selecting the download language of either 32bit or 64bit. Select GO.

    On the next page Login to Microsoft using your Windows Live ID or Hotmail Login/Password. Eventually you will get to the download page which give me a Product Key to print out before making the download.

    So far I have downloaded, installed, activated, performed windows updates (Windows Defender definitions & NIC drivers updates), installed the Windows 7 Preview of Kaspersky (activated and updated). I have not yet installed any other software.

    The only problem I had was a "hang" on first attempt to install. I pressed the PC reset button and the next attempt did not have a "hang". Windows 7 installation process took around 25 minutes.
     
  11. wtsinnc

    wtsinnc Registered Member

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    Hey guys;

    Many, many thanks for taking the time to post and offer assistance.

    With the information you provided, I was finally able to get a key and activate my copy of Windows 7.
    -Perhaps some day, I can return the favor.

    Again, thanks.
     
  12. Trespasser

    Trespasser Registered Member

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    What I don't like about Windows 7 so far is they've totally redone Software Restriction Policy. They've added a thing called AppLocker which they claim is the new SRP. You can't run your browser (Firefox in my case) as Basic User anymore (effectively is like Protected Mode in IE). I've searched for info on this subject but nothing turned up with anything too in depth.

    On the other hand I do like the built-in wallpaper changer (under Personalize>Desktop Background).

    Later.... :)
     
  13. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    when i added a limited user to my virtual machine install of windows 7 beta i noticed an option to get rid of any changes that user made when they logout.
    not sure what versions it will be avaliable on.
     
  14. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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  15. ASpace

    ASpace Guest


    64-bit version is also available
     
  16. ASpace

    ASpace Guest

    WMP12 shall be made optional after final release , AFAIK.

    This could be a bug? Unlikely Vista's IE7 , IE8 here runs every tab as a separate process like Chrome does , so it doesn't crash at all if a tab crashes.
     
  17. suliman

    suliman Registered Member

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    I installed the 64bit version. I hope it is just because it is beta and the drivers are not optimized, but my Vista 64 that has been installed for 6-7 months is still clearly faster than a clean Win 7 (after the autmatic updates) when it comes to responsiveness
     
  18. GES/POR

    GES/POR Registered Member

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    Anyone tried to install and play some heavy online games on this?
     
  19. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    Found my goof. I had d\l`d two 64 bit vers. :oops: 32 is 2.44. The 64 is 3.15. Guessing the difference is the i86 folder the 64 contains. Anyone verify?
     
  20. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    That would seem to be the opposite of what MS intended and what people are reporting.. In what ways is it less responsive? Just overall in general?
     
  21. ambient_88

    ambient_88 Registered Member

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    Running really smooth here. In fact, I am going to use it as my everyday OS for now.
     
  22. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    Hey,
    glad WMP12 will be made optional
    im hoping opera and firefox will runs tabs in seprate processes in later versions.
    not sure if its a bug or not but it didnt cause any issues.
     
  23. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    Anyone tried it with VB, MS Virtual PC or VMware? Running in all or not?

    Thanks
     
  24. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    Hello,
    Ive tryed the 64bit version with the lastest virtualbox.
     
  25. Tarnak

    Tarnak Registered Member

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    LOL I might have this downloaded and installed before August. HaHaHa! :D

    I must be a masochist! :rolleyes: :argh: o_O
     

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