Release Candidate 1 (RC1) was available for download from last Friday May 1^st, and disks were being shipped today May 4^th.  What can we expect to see?

Firstly, I’m expecting to see the most useful version of Windows yet.  Let me explain.  Vista got a very bad rap. There were really two reasons for this  - it was slower than XP, and required a more powerful machine with more RAM, and secondly, it was a significant technical step forward – meaning that many older programmes needed to be updated before they would run with it.  When it was released, many programmes and device drivers weren’t ready, so a lot of tools that we all had were no longer functional.  Fairly or unfairly, Vista got the blame, and the reputation stuck.  Everyone ‘knew’ Vista was no good, even those that didn’t know anything else about computers.  Regular readers will recall that we thought that was a bit unfair!

Vista provided a huge number of benefits.  With enhanced security, it was safer to use.  The user screens were more logical, and offered better support.  Dual screens became common and were easier under Vista.  Desktop search was smarter, and reliability was improved.  But none of that was enough to overcome the reputation.

So Welcome Windows 7! 

We’ve already commented on many of the features, and these have been enhanced with some new ones.  Having now used Windows 7 for several months, I’m finding it’s the little things that count.  In particular, the way that documents libraries are arranged is much simpler and cleaner than  anything we’ve seen for a while.  With RC1, we’ll see a “XP” mode – a virtual session of Windows XP SP3 – embedded that will let you run ‘old’ software with confidence.  The release candidate now includes a full copy of IE8 – the Win 7 beta wouldn’t let you upgrade past the IE8 beta.  Switching file folders in explorer looks cleaner, but that is just cosmetic.  Likewise Alt-Tab also has cosmetic improvements, and there is a feature that lets you stream music and other media from your home PC to another computer, say a laptop or work machine.  I am not convinced that this is of any use whatsoever! 

Windows 7 is a big deal.  It is the first version of Windows that business is likely to adopt because of what it is, not just because it came with a PC.  It takes up less room and requires a less powerful computer than Vista.  So it provides many of the performance benefits of XP with the functionality and usability of Vista, and of course, the security.  That is a very compelling picture, allowing business to have safe, secure computing without needing the same computing power and cost.

Software Assurance

We are used to Windows coming with the PC.  Most businesses simply use the version of Windows that comes with their PC.  Microsoft will be encouraging business to take on ‘Software Assurance’ by including a wider range of benefits with it, aimed at the business market.  The ‘Enterprise Edition’ will only be available with Software Assurance.  One example of this is the ‘Windows Optimised Desktop’ which includes tools for  :

• -          Extending PC  lifecycles
• -          Providing standard PC images
• -          Desktop virtualisation (including XP Virtual for application compatibility)
• -          Automation of IT management
• -          Comprehensive security

Key Messages from Microsoft about Windows 7

Windows 7 is about striving to get the balance right, between offering users the flexibility they need, while allowing the business to stay in control of its information assets.  Microsoft uses the word ‘control’ and we’re guessing they mean ‘security’.  An example of this is the common scenario in which a business wants to allow contractors access to their systems, using the contractors computers.   The contractors need to access data without creating a deployment or security headache for the business.

Microsoft quote research into the cost of computing as showing that the hardware/software capital costs run at 30% of overall costs, direct IT support costs represent a further 20% while the big number is a whopping 50% coming from the end-user’s self-support and downtime costs.  They argue that Windows7 adds real value to these businesses by providing better security, imaging and desktop lock-downs.  And of course, if you can make a PC last another year, then there is a green aspect as well.

 

Make users productive anywhere	Enhance security and control	Streamline PC management
Remote branch office caching   Direct access connections (VPN-less connectivity)   Unified search for both the PC and Intranet in a single tool	Vista is the most secure version of Windows yet.  Windows7 builds on that. Bitlocker and “Bitlocker-to-go” protects PCs and USB keys by encrypting your data.  We note that the risk of losing USB keys is high.  This feature allows you to  have a corporate policy that lets you read any USB key but can only write with bitlocker.	New tools will speed image creation and deployment Includes a “Blackbox” recorder to record screenshots, mouseclicks etc to help track bugs, crashes etc