A Tech’s First Impression of Windows 7 RC
Like many people, I downloaded the Windows 7 “Release Candidate”, and I have been running it for a few days now. I will now describe to you, Dear Reader, my initial impressions of Microsoft’s newest operating system, as I did for Windows 7 beta. (drum roll please)
(For those of you who would like to get a copy, please see, Click here to download Windows 7. For those of you who would like to read my earlier statements on Windows 7 first, please see, A Tech’s First Impression of Windows 7, Part 1. Also, please read this warning Windows 7 RC gets its first bug, and it’s a doozy before you install)
Let’s get started: I opted to install the 32-bit version. I installed a “clean install”, though I could have “upgraded” an existing Vista or Windows 7 install (I recommend ‘clean install’ as a General Rule Of Thumb).
Microsoft is calling Windows 7 a whole new OS, and is expecting it to replace Vista.. in the same way that Vista is replacing Windows XP. I can tell you that it is not a whole new operating system. I can also tell you that it does not give us the new file system (WinFS) that was originally promised as one of the “three pillars of Vista”.
The install itself: My “clean” install on a freshly formatted volume took just 27 minutes, and involved three automated reboots. I then transferred in my settings tweaks and customizations, all my installed programs (except for my antivirus) and games, files and photos, etc., from the Win 7 beta in 20 minutes using Windows Easy Transfer.
It would have taken less time had I migrated the User Profile via my network, but I used a USB storage drive instead.
No device driver issues: I installed Windows 7 on a recent-vintage machine (it shipped with Vista Home Premium) and I had to install zero, zip, nada, device drivers — and this is a beta! Every device worked out of the gate. Microsoft claims Windows 7 is the most ‘backwards compatible’ OS yet and I believe them. A beta.. and no device driver installs??? Amazing.
In case you’re not following along.. From inserting the CD, to a fully tweaked, loaded, and ready-to-go state in 47 minutes.. without the use of 3rd-party programs, tools or special cables.
That is simply… OUTSTANDING! (Yes, I’m shouting.)
In my earlier series, (see link above) I wrote “My experience matched that of other reviewers: it was by far the fastest, smoothest, easiest Windows installation I’ve ever had. That this is a beta release makes this fact all the more remarkable.”
The RC beat it handily .
Folks, I cannot count the number of Windows Installs, re-Installs, and User State Migrations I’ve done — I am a Support & Repair Tech, after all — but this last was something I had previously only dreamed of.
I’m going to stop here but I will add this statement — I will delay buying my next computer until they come with Windows 7 on them; and I advise you to do the same if you can. (Can you tell I’m impressed?)
More Windows 7 RC “impressions” to come..
Today’s free link(s): see second paragraph, and – if you’re thinking of installing Windows 7 and your machine is a little bit older (say, 2 or more years) please see Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor – Can You Handle The Ride!
Today’s free download: see second paragraph.
Copyright 2007-9 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved. post to jaanix
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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Tech - for Everyone 
Overall, I have to agree with your analysis – quick install, no device driver downloads required; really a pleasure to watch an OS install with very limited user input.
I did however have some difficulty, as WIN 7 wanted to install over and over again, which led me to eventually just pulling the install DVD from the drive. A very strange experience, but just a very minor irritant.
Without a doubt, in my view, this is the best, and safest OS yet developed. Can’t wait for the final release.
Bill
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Mr. Mullins–
Yes, I suspect that not everyone’s experiences will be as spectacularly painless as was mine — beta’s do have ‘quirks’ — and I thank you for sharing with my readers your solution to that start-over/recycling “issue”.
I’m with you: your final paragraph says a lot.
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I downloaded the Windows 7 64bit RC. I haven’t installed it yet but I will. I sure hope there are no device driver issues. If all goes well, I’ll be excited for the commercial release.
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gadzooks64–
I haven’t tried a 64-bit install — yet — so I cannot vouch for a 100% automatic detection/install.
If you encounter issues, try going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest 64-bit Vista drivers, and see if those won’t work.
If you do go ahead and install the 64-bit RC, I would appreciated it if you were to share with us some of your “impressions”.
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TechPaul,
Thanks for your “continued” review of Windows 7… Myself and others depend on Techs like yourself to give us good insight on this new operating system…
If you do not mind, would like to do a “clip” and point my readers to this excellent article.
Thank you,
Rick (at What’s On My PC…)
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You got it like that, Professor.
Your readers are always welcome here, and I am proud to have your site on my blogroll. I visit everyday, and I have to say I find it like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates. I think whatsonmypc… is one of the Web’s as-yet-undiscovered gems.
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TechPaul,
As always, Thank you… Great writeup on this!
Rick
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The content and design of this weblog is great!
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Pochp,
Thank you for the kind words.
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