Microsoft here are some tips!

I agree with other peers that it looks and feel like vista. Something I found dissapointing is the control panel. XP works fine. Why dont you change the eye candy only? or leave the all control panel as the default. Another thing, why dont you leave the right click on my computer to default to the old Win XP properties? Instead of clicking on the device manager and advance from the Vista dumb menu? Why the network connections has to be so complicated? Leave the old open network connections as it was on XP and have an additional link for all the other gadgets. Navigation should be simple. Vista navigation is one of the biggest upsets I have. Been a technician for 16 years I hope they change that. So far I was not able to make Telnet work or Active Directory Users and Computers. I had to delete a couple of registry keys to allow installtion of other programs. MICROSOFT PLEASE LISTEN TO THE WINDOWS COMMUNITY! WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED.

CHIVAZO

The last item in the Win7 CP says 'All Control Panel Items', which brings up the old school list.

In my opinion, Windows 7 and Vista weren't made for the geek. They were made for the non-geek who doesn't care about registry editors, disk partitions, and internet speeds. When you tour this OS, you have to put yourself in the position of your mom, who doesn't know a thing about computers (or maybe she does. Just a hypothetical example.), and think Okay, is it too simple to connect to the internet? Yes, it is, and even though that makes my blood boil, [insert non-tech knowledgeable person here] will love it. If you want a geek-friendly OS, dual-boot your system to Ubuntu. I'm not going to say any more about linux, except that it's amazingly deadly to the non-geek, and amazingly powerful to the geek.

BetaMan

U think computing is only meant for geeks in this world? Computing is for making lives easier using the blessings of technology for everyone, so Windows 7 does not disappoint there.

And u have meager and vague ideas about what's really a geek OS means. You are insisting that Ubuntu is a g33k OS with lot of crazy and cranky terminal playground! Wake up and land on the real world man, ever tried Arch linux? Now that's called a G33k OS.

Where did I say computing is only for geeks? Answer me that my friend, answer me that.

PS. Do you know how to spell "you"?

Sure, but do we need 55 Control panel options where some of the exact options are located in other Control panel items?

Right-click on My Computer, choose open, double-click on the C: drive, navigate to the Windows folder and locate explorer.exe. Drag that file to the desktop, and choose Create shortcut here. Rename it to Windows Explorer. Now right-click and choose properties and add this after the .exe.(If it's highlighted, click your mouse button after the .exe),

Now hit the space bar and type in /e,C: and choose Apply.

The line should look like this:
C:\Windows\explorer.exe /e,C:

Now drag that shortcut to the Start Button, let it expand un till you see accessories. When you see the tooltip that says Move to Accessories, choose yes, You'll receive a warning message, but just say yes to overwrite it.

If for some reason you want both icons to appear, just rename the shortcut to anything other than Windows Explorer (maybe Windows Exploder) and drag that shortcut to Accessories. now you have both. the /e,C; brings you directly to the root of the C: drive. If you have another partition you'd like it to open, simply change it to that drive (Ex. /e,E: brings you to the root of the E: drive if you have partitioned you hard drive.

I agree there and I think large corporations, or governments, and IT departments are going to avoid it like the plague, same as they did with Vista. This is just Vista on steroids. Give me back my Windows Professional 2000 with the added security benefits and that would be great.. If I wanted a "cutesy interface". I'd but a MAC

Couple other tips:
There are many ways to tweak Windows, but you'll never get the Classic Start menu back unless you edit the shell32.dll file with a resource editor (Dangerous territory)

Here is a small sampling:

Right click the taskbar and choose properties.
Check "Use Small Icons"
Taskbar Buttons: "Never Combine"

Credit to Tim Sneath for this one:
For those of how how would like to bring back the Quick Launch feature,

Tim Sneath : The Bumper List of Windows 7 Secrets
http://blogs.msdn.com/tims/archive/2...7-secrets.aspx

If you'd like it back, I've slightly modified his to make it easier.
Right-click the taskbar, choose Toolbars > New Toolbar
In the folder selection dialog, choose the Browse folder and navigate to::
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Intern et Explorer\Quick Launch

Select that folder and now you have the Quick Lauch bar
Turn off the "lock the taskbar" setting, and right-click on the divider. Make sure that "Show text" and "Show title" are disabled and the view is set to "small icons". Use the dividers to rearrange the toolbar ordering to choice, and then lock the taskbar again

One problem, it disappears if you uncheck it. I'm working on that one.

You can also bring back the switch between windows feature by navigating to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Right-click on the switch between windows shortcut and drag it to the Quick Launch bar and choose copy here, You now have the same features as Vista. Open a bunch of windows, then choose switch between windows. Pretty cool!

Also, Sysinternals (now Microsoft) has an excellent freeware utility called desktops, which gives you four desktop (like Linux, yes).

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s...c5a693683.aspx

Another must have utility is Sysinternals Autoruns.This a an extremely powerful tool. You can download it here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

A hidden feature in Windows7. Go to Start > Run, and type optionalfeatures. I think you'll be amazed at what you find here.

Nevermind, sorry I offered. First not enough, then too much. You appear to be a 'I am never satisfied with anything I don't do myself' person.

If you could give give me a better unstanding what you mean by that comment. I'd appreciate it.

First, i believe I helped chivazo with 2 of his concerns.

And no, I am not a fan of the new Start Menu. It's seems to me that Microsoft has made addition steps to locate what you're trying to find.

My additional comments were simply an attempt to let others know there are more options.

The last time I checked, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

Err.. isn't that the 'Turn Windows features on or off' option in control panel? What you are giving is just a command to open it from run, nothing special on it and it's not a hidden feature.

I need some help. So far I manage to make most features work except Active Directory Users and Computers. I get a unable to create a snap in error. Does anyone have a clue? Also, the telnet feature on your optional features it's not installing. Errors out. I am using a 3rd party software to telnet but it would be nice to make the W7 works. So far I am pleased with the performance of W7. Hopefully, they will make additional changes to make it more Techi friendly. As some of you mention before this is perfect for a non tech mom. But for us that troubleshoot, It does fall short. Comment on Linux. That's why Linux owns 2% of the market.

chivazo