Microsoft’s next jump "Windows 7" has been announced for public as a Beta (Build 7000) release at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx to be expired on 1 August 2009. Since Microsoft describes this as the next level of computing again and again, it’s worth to evaluate the product putting parallel with Windows Vista very predecessor for Windows 7.

I used to install the Windows 7 Beta on VMware Workstation 6 with allocated resources of 1 GB RAM, 16 GB HD space. It only took roughly 14 minutes to complete the installation without any hassle at all. It had taken 8.31 GB HD space for clean installation and first impression of new Windows logo with Neon light effects is something psychological engineering effort.

The first welcome was a security alert of missing Virus scanner protection and the same time Recommended virus protection providers (3rd party) also came on a web page followed by the provided link. This is something encouraging the compatibility for business alliances among other Virus solution providers apart from Microsoft Live One care and Forefront product lines.

 Now Better…

The beautiful lesson which Microsoft has learnt from Vista is providing UAC (User Account Control) manageability in to the maximum level. Now it’s really manageable as the user requirement and elimination or termination is not required anymore.

Talking about application improvements, IE 8 beta and Windows Media Player 12 are integrated by default.

The remarkable improvement in Windows 7 would be the "Action Center" which is addressing number of Vista disappointments of problem management. It provides single interface of monitoring system health as well as other program launch options. It just like drawing a box framing existing objects with a single entry point.

Welcome Back

It’s nice to see generic Disk Defragmenter and Briefcase are back in new outfit, reinstating Windows 2000/XP experiences.

A provision has given in Windows 7 to create a Recovery Disk in a case of disaster to restore the system immediately, by default.

New Pinches

Traditional Ms-Paint also has been given a new look and API change with Ribbon interfaces.

There can be seen a cool addition with "Sticky Notes" that I admire a lot. Although Vista had a Side Gadget of Sticky notes available it was not flexible to stick anywhere and limited to 10 notes. This is WOW!

Windows Gadgets are not there on the Desktop by default, those can be added if need and there is no reserved area boundary for gadgets always on front. Gadgets are free to be anywhere like Vista but now they can stay overlapping also.

Another feature has been introduced new to Windows task bar, manage the appearance of multiple windows on desktop. It has certain intelligence of proportionate windows fitting to the desktop.

Removed for NEW…and must use LIVE

Microsoft has purposely removed Windows Movie Maker, Windows Mail, and Windows Photo Gallery from Windows 7 to discourage using them anymore. Then what…yes U must download and install Windows Live Essentials to have the features back. This could be some effort Microsoft trying to get sued. Anyhow Microsoft wants us to be LIVE forever.

Conclusion…

There are some cool backgrounds, effects and colors going very close with Linux or Mac experience in Windows 7. Smooth transitions in Vista now Smoother in Windows 7. I feel RAM & processor utilization have been bit streamlined and optimized though File architecture or deep platform level are still the same but API improvements.

We’ll see with RTM then Final Product before the final judgement of Windows 7 episode. Cheers…