Windows 7 Discussion Thread

[timewaster]

Originally Posted by Jay G.

It's a separate download that installs a Virtual Machine running a copy of Windows XP. It uses Terminal Services to then allow you to launch any application you install to the virtual XPM in a window in Windows 7. It will only install and run on Windows 7 Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...indows-xp-mode

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/xp_mode_preview.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/xp_mode_beta.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/xp_mode_rc.asp

http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/04...rt-1-overview/
http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/04...lishing-magic/


You'll have to re-install any apps that need XP within XP mode. Apps that work in Windows 7 natively you should install into Windows 7.


None of the apps installed into Windows 7 are available in XP Mode. XP Mode is a completely separate OS that is running from within Windows 7. As such, it'll likely need its own AV solution if used.

Note that there is an XP Compatibility Mode in all editions of Win7 that is available for all applications installed in Win7. Just right-click on the program anc select properties, then the Compatibilty tab. This compatibility mode may be enough for most apps. XP Mode is designed for legacy apps that people have to run that don't work in Win7 under the normal compatibility mode.

so how is windows 7 xp mode different from installing a virtual machine like VMWare?
If you were to use VMWare and create a XP virtual machine. Would that be the same?

[fumanstan]

Originally Posted by timewaster

so how is windows 7 xp mode different from installing a virtual machine like VMWare?
If you were to use VMWare and create a XP virtual machine. Would that be the same?

If I recall correctly, XP mode can be set up so it appears that the programs run natively. For example, rather then having to start up the VM, wait for the OS to load, and launch the program within the running VM and XP's GUI, you can set up a shortcut to launch just the program. It's a nice convenience, kind of like the way VMWare Fusion or Parallels work on a Mac with a Windows XM.

I've been meaning to play with it on my system at home but I haven't had a chance.

[twikoff]

yea.. as he said.. xp mode basically is like citrix published apps.. terminal services.. etc..

you can set it up so you are basically just setting up an app to launch in an xp mode OS..

it replaces the 'compatability mode' crap from before.. with a true method of reverse compatibility using a seamless virtualized environment

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by timewaster

so how is windows 7 xp mode different from installing a virtual machine like VMWare?
If you were to use VMWare and create a XP virtual machine. Would that be the same?

Xp mode also supports vt in the CPU and the desktop version of Vmware doesn't as far as I know

[Drexl]

If anybody else has no need for the "Libraries" feature and found it to be more unnecessary clutter in Explorer, here's how to disable it: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-disable-...-in-windows-7/

It's reversible if you change your mind.

[twikoff]

quite a few of the tweaks and hacks can be done using tweaknow powerpack 2009
www.tweaknow.com much easier than the manual steps
http://www.tweaknow.com/powerPack.html

[SomethingMore]

winsupersite.com article

Talking Windows 7 Upgrade Media with Microsoft

So I had an in-person discussion yesterday with Microsoft about how its Windows 7 Upgrade media does (or does not) work. I'm going to update my Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media article to include this information, but I wanted to communicate it to you as quickly as possible. So here are some data points to consider...

If you run Setup from an existing install of Windows ... Windows 7 will always activate.

If you boot your PC with Windows 7 Upgrade media ... and there is an existing install of Windows on the first partition, Windows 7 will always activate. If the existing install of Windows is on some other partition, Windows 7 should still activate. There are instances in which this won't work--especially when people really muck around with directory structures and so on, but it should activate.

There is one major and important change between Windows Vista and Windows 7 Setup with regards to compliance checking ... In Windows Vista, Setup did the compliance check (to see whether you have a valid prior version of Windows and thus qualify for the Upgrade version) after the phase where you can format the disk. This means you could actually format the disk, thus destroying your previous install, and then fail the compliance check. Microsoft fixed this in Windows 7. That means you can format the disk during Setup: Windows 7 will still activate because the compliance check occurred earlier.

A recovery partition will never qualify you for the Upgrade version. Setup does not understand or parse recovery partitions.

If you clean install Windows 7 with Upgrade media and it does not work for some reason, Microsoft's recommendation is that you call Microsoft Support immediately ... They will get you activated immediately, no questions asked, and the call is free. You're provided with free support calls as part of your purchase.

The Full and Upgrade media for Windows 7 are indeed identical. The only difference is the product key. The code on the discs is the same.

The double-install trick is documented and supported by Microsoft. It's dumb and slow, but Microsoft does support the double-install method (Method #3 in my Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media article) for clean installing Windows 7 with Upgrade media. They do not support the Registry hack (Method #2 in my Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media article) but couldn't think of a reason why it should be avoided otherwise. (I think they just don't like it.) The vibe I got was that if you ever had problems later, you could always call Microsoft support for free and they'd just fix it.

The most important point, in my opinion, is that if a clean install isn't working for you... call MS!

[twikoff]

good to see that they went with the stance of fully supporting it
for those that havent had to call to get an activation working.. its a quick and painless call

and i dont blame them for not supporting the registry hack.. its not a good idea to point everyday folks into the registry in the first place.

[Flicker]

I just purchased a new Toshiba laptop a week before Windows 7 was released. Why? My desktop was giving me problems and I had to check e-mails for Amazon sells.

I qualified for the free Windows 7 although I am being charged 11.95 S&H.

Now that my desktop seems to be working again, can I use the Windows 7 upgrade also on it?

Yes, I know...call Microsoft.

[fumanstan]

Originally Posted by SomethingMore

winsupersite.com article




The most important point, in my opinion, is that if a clean install isn't working for you... call MS!

Awesome, glad that was explained. Good to hear that an upgrade is good enough.

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by Flicker

Now that my desktop seems to be working again, can I use the [laptop] Windows 7 upgrade also on it?

You can only use one copy of Windows 7 on one device at a time. The license key will only be valid on one device at a time. If you want Windows 7 on both your laptop and desktop, you'll have to buy an additional copy.

[SomethingMore]

Originally Posted by twikoff

good to see that they went with the stance of fully supporting it
for those that havent had to call to get an activation working.. its a quick and painless call

and i dont blame them for not supporting the registry hack.. its not a good idea to point everyday folks into the registry in the first place.

Agreed. If I had run into any problems with my install, I'd have done the double-install as my second option. While I'm quite capable of playing around in the registry, I would not edit a registry setting that's directly tied to the OS activation.

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by SomethingMore

Agreed. If I had run into any problems with my install, I'd have done the double-install as my second option. While I'm quite capable of playing around in the registry, I would not edit a registry setting that's directly tied to the OS activation.

Have you looked at the registry entry during the double-install process, after the first install, then after the second? It may be that the double-install just has the net effect of changing that solitary entry.

[SomethingMore]

I did not do the double-install. I would, though, if I had problems. Luckily, I didn't.


In other news, this was too funny not to post.

Pause it immediately, and go to the 33-second mark. Then hit play.

[twikoff]

yea.. that aero shake is just a damn silly idea

[Raul3]

The second time I shake it apps don't come back

But it looks cool the first time when the apps in the background dissapear

[fumanstan]

Shake has worked perfectly on my machine at work and my machine at home. Although it does seem pointless to me.

[twikoff]

Originally Posted by Raul3

The second time I shake it apps don't come back

But it looks cool the first time when the apps in the background dissapear

do you release the bar and the grab it back for shaking the 2nd time

[Raul3]

Originally Posted by twikoff

do you release the bar and the grab it back for shaking the 2nd time

That made the trick.

[twikoff]

I'm just now getting use to the 'show desktop' being hidden in the corner by the clock

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by Flicker

I just purchased a new Toshiba laptop a week before Windows 7 was released. Why? My desktop was giving me problems and I had to check e-mails for Amazon sells.

I qualified for the free Windows 7 although I am being charged 11.95 S&H.

Now that my desktop seems to be working again, can I use the Windows 7 upgrade also on it?

Yes, I know...call Microsoft.

Legally no because all the new pc licenses are for that computer only

[glassdragon]

I'm seriously thinking of getting one of those cheap keys from ebay. yeah, yeah I know, they are probably technet ones since you get 10 retail keys with it. If it activates just fine what are the chances that later MS won't like try to revoke it. I really want windows 7 but I'm not a student, nor do I have 200 bucks for it Wish i had a friend that was a student to get me one from that student discount thing

[Drexl]

What you could do is buy the OEM version for around $100 from Newegg or some other tech retailer. It will be the one labeled "for system builders." This will be a clean install and isn't dependent on owning a previous edition. Note however, that this version will be tied to one computer and can't be transferred to a different computer later (whereas a full retail edition can). This is the version I buy.

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by glassdragon

yeah, yeah I know, they are probably technet ones since you get 10 retail keys with it.

Technically I think TechNet subscribers can request up to 10 keys per edition, so they can get 10 keys for Ultimate, 10 for Professional, 10 for Home Premium, etc. Of course, the keys are intended for evaulation purposes only, and aren't for resale.

If it activates just fine what are the chances that later MS won't like try to revoke it.

I don't know what the odds are, but MS has definitely blacklisted illegitimate keys sold from TechNet before:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/sho...3&postcount=13

[zuffy]

I don't think so. When you request for a key, the same key pops up for all the editions. So, it's really 10 keys total for all the editions.