Microsoft's Massive List of Improvements to Windows 7
Microsoft on Thursday released a lengthy list of 36 improvements it plans to make to the release candidate (RC) for Windows 7, though the company did not provide any details on when that RC might actually be available.
The Windows team separated the updates into nine categories, including the desktop experience, touch, and Windows Media Player.
Desktop Experience
Desktop tweaks received the most attention, with 10 expected changes.
Microsoft has incorporated its "Aero Peek" window transparency tool to the ALT+TAB function to give you a better idea of the items you have open on your desktop.
"One can still quickly flip between and cycle through running windows using the ALT+TAB keys, but when more window information is needed Aero Peek will appear," Sareen wrote. "This is triggered by a time delay as you pause while keyboarding through running windows."
The team has also combined the launch and switch function of the Windows Logo button.
With Vista, you can press the Windows Logo button plus a number that corresponds with applications on your taskbar and that application will launch. Now, pressing those buttons will also enable you to switch between programs.
For example, if Outlook is the first application in the queue of running programs, and Internet Explorer is number two, a user can press the Windows Logo and the "1" key, and Outlook will launch. Press Windows logo plus "2" and Windows 7 will switch to the already open program.
"The magic really begins when IE is running with several windows or tabs—holding down the Windows Logo and tapping the 2 key repeatedly will actually cycle through the open IE items off the taskbar (with Aero Peek, of course)," Sareen said. "Letting go simply switches to the corresponding window."
Ever missed a notification? The RC tweaks the alert function by making them more noticeable and adding a bolder orange color. Microsoft also more than doubled the number of flashes a user will see – from three to seven.
The RC will also make it easier to open files with a specific program, now allows for 24-39 percent more icons to be displayed before the taskbar scrolls, and makes it easier to see what files are open when items do scroll, among other changes.
Microsoft on Thursday released a lengthy list of 36 improvements it plans to make to the release candidate (RC) for Windows 7, though the company did not provide any details on when that RC might actually be available.
The Windows team separated the updates into nine categories, including the desktop experience, touch, and Windows Media Player.
Desktop Experience
Desktop tweaks received the most attention, with 10 expected changes.
Microsoft has incorporated its "Aero Peek" window transparency tool to the ALT+TAB function to give you a better idea of the items you have open on your desktop.
"One can still quickly flip between and cycle through running windows using the ALT+TAB keys, but when more window information is needed Aero Peek will appear," Sareen wrote. "This is triggered by a time delay as you pause while keyboarding through running windows."
The team has also combined the launch and switch function of the Windows Logo button.
With Vista, you can press the Windows Logo button plus a number that corresponds with applications on your taskbar and that application will launch. Now, pressing those buttons will also enable you to switch between programs.
For example, if Outlook is the first application in the queue of running programs, and Internet Explorer is number two, a user can press the Windows Logo and the "1" key, and Outlook will launch. Press Windows logo plus "2" and Windows 7 will switch to the already open program.
"The magic really begins when IE is running with several windows or tabs—holding down the Windows Logo and tapping the 2 key repeatedly will actually cycle through the open IE items off the taskbar (with Aero Peek, of course)," Sareen said. "Letting go simply switches to the corresponding window."
Ever missed a notification? The RC tweaks the alert function by making them more noticeable and adding a bolder orange color. Microsoft also more than doubled the number of flashes a user will see – from three to seven.
The RC will also make it easier to open files with a specific program, now allows for 24-39 percent more icons to be displayed before the taskbar scrolls, and makes it easier to see what files are open when items do scroll, among other changes.
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