Yesterday i downloaded Windows 7 beta. I wanted to have a look and hands on to the Microsoft newest OS. There is already a buzz that this version of Windows is far more better than Windows Vista . The download link was down for some some hours because of sudden rush in the Beta release download from Microsoft servers . It got reopened and i didn’t miss the chance. You can also download Windows 7 beta from official Windows website . It will just require your hotmail ( live or passport ) ID. The download size is 2.44 GB i got that image done in 3 hrs or so. There are number of demo videos at Windows 7 official site for a sneak peek. 

At first look i liked the Windows 7. Its the best Windows from Microsoft. The clear changes that can be seen when i first saw the desktop screen is the task bar . Task bar has been reinvented in Windows 7. There is no such thing like quick launch menu. Instead you can “Pin” and then “Unpin” any program you like in the task bar. System tray is also given a face lift. I really didn’t like the thick Task bar but i hope its configurable by the user. I just used Windows 7 for some half an hour after the installation before writing this. I also sent feedback to Microsoft for my dissatisfaction over the thick task bar.

The second thing i noticed in that half an hour is the Sidebar Gadgets are now no longer “Sidebar Gadgets” now they can come out of the side and remain anywhere in the desktop.

One great improvement for an immediate notice is when you right click anywhere in the desktop. In vista i never liked the mouse going to busy pointer for little interval before it displayed right click options ( that made me and many others think vista is too slow ). but now in Windows 7 right click option shows up immediately without the mouse going to busy pointer.

Third change i noticed is a little space at the bottom right corner of the Desktop . On clicking it shows up the Desktop with transparent overlay windows that were open.

These are the immediate changes i noticed

There is a snippet tool which makes the job of taking screenshot and editing it very useful and easy.

Connecting to network is a lot easy . Control panel misses the classic display but has another better alternative something like “show all item”.
one thing i noticed ( kind of incosistency ) is the behavior of busy mouse pointer . I saw XP styled busy pointer once but later i never saw it . I only saw Vista styled ( circular ring ) busy pointer .

Another thing i noticed is there is no option to Change background image from desktop righ click menu when default theme is active in the Windows 7.

So below are the steps i did to get Windows 7 on my box from downloading to hands on. There are number of screenshots gallery for your viewing pleasure ;-) 

Click on any image for its bigger resolution Image

1. First i downloaded windows 7 beta .iso ( DVD image file from Windows 7 site )

 

2. Burnt the .ISO file to a DVD ( 2.44 GB of .ISO file )

3. Inserted the DVD and boot the computer from DVD.

4. After some clicking of “Next” and “Install Now” setup extracts the file for installation

5. This takes quite some time ( around 8~10 minutes ) then the setup completes the installation

6. After the installation completes Window will prepare to start

7. Windows will then update the registry settings for first time

8. Windows will then Start the Services after registry update is complete

9. Windows will then restart the computer to continue

10. After the restart Window 7 setup will prepare the computer for first use

11. Then Windows 7 setup will check for Video performance 

12. Windows 7 setup will is about to show us the desktop but first it needs Computer name ( User name )

13. Password

14.  Window Serial Key ( this can be obtained while downloading Windows 7 from the Windows 7 official download Page )

15. Window 7 will then detect if computer is connected to any network and show a dialog ” how to setup the network ” ( home, office etc. ) . I clicked home and then was presented this page with my computer homepage setup and password given to me

16. Windows 7 setup will finalize all the settings

17. Windows 7 setup will prepare the desktop for the user .

18. And finally here is the Windows 7 First time desktop screen

 

Screenshot Gallery ( Click on the images to Zoom )