What would you like to see in Windows 7: Readers’ thoughts

On August 12th I wrote a post on “What would you like to see in Windows 7?” I have gotten many replies, so I have decided to share them with you.

Microsoft’s next operating will be Windows 7. Microsoft will need to make Windows 7 perfect to avoid users switching to Apple’s operating system, Mac OS X. What features would you like to see in Windows 7? 

•  Ability to rearrange items on the taskbar
• Zooming feature
• Two Editions - Home and Pro
• 64 bit operating system only
• Better Windows Explorer
• More graphical options (ability to Change colors of windows, etc.)
• All programs and apps to look the same
• More organized control panel

The next showdown will be Windows 7 vs. Snow Leopard

One of the best replies I got was from “E2201″.

I have multiple machines; two of which, I use as multimedia consoles. I find it true that it was easier 10 years ago to setup a true multi-display PC, than it is today. The following list is based on that:

*Optimized code (quit letting kids write your software - take out all the ridiculous easter eggs, and learn how to program correctly!)
*Less fluff (Aero and Glass are cool for about 5 seconds!)
*Fewer bugs (See beginning of list)
*Remove DRM completely (this is a ridiculous technology; which, in the long run, only hurts noobs in the (vain) hope of pacifying big corporate interests)
*Stop crippling hardware (soundcards, capture boards, etc… see previous entry)
*Lower the price [Remember, mr. Gates; Linux is FREE]

My complaints about DRM and hardware relate entirely to home media storage and display. FWIW, I could STILL pirate and distribute as much HD content as I want to… There are many, MANY ways around DRM in Windows; and if worse comes to worse, all I would EVER have to do is boot Linux. That’s only a small part of what makes DRM a ridiculous technology.

And crippling hardware is just plain rude! When you pay good money for a piece of equipment, you expect it to do what it says on the box. Limiting soundcard recording to analog sources, or video capture boards to 320×240, or video playback to 720×480 is self-defeating. Again; to get around this, all I have to do is boot Linux.

I have become quite dis-enchanted with Windows in recent years. And if (and when) I can get Ubuntu (or some other version of) Linux to work with my multiple display setup the way I want it to, I will drop Windows like a brick!

What others had to say:

“Chinookman”

Who cares…???…no really Hell M$ doesn’t listen now………until after the fact…..who told them to re-invent Explorer in Vista when we are successful with its design in XP……why muck up what is not broken and why not focus on security and productivity instead of dicking around trying to the the world’s only computer software provider now it does a lots of things half ass and very very things well at all….not at the user home/business level anyway….OK I’ done and thanks to them I am now a motivate Linux novice……….thanks for the push away from Vista- hast la Vista…….

  “Cold Wind”

Leave Windows Explorer Alone..(XP Style). Vista’s Explorer is like a guessing game. OK, maybe some shortcuts to the most often used places… Why did Vista mess with perfection? Don’t fix something if it’s not broke..! To me that is the most annoying “Feature” of Vista. Leave Windows Explorer alone (XP Style) Why mess with perfection? “Don’t fix something if it’s not broken”
Shortcuts to common places at top maybe, but don’t go Vista style. To me that is the most annoying thing they changed in Vista. Vista’s explorer tree is like guesswork!

“woolf2k”

no blue screens!

“Simon”

A linux kernel with the ability of running all my windows apps. Like Mac OS.

“Rick”

I’d simplify it even more: only one version, which is fully customizable so that only the features that you want are installed (and can later be added/removed) with a compnent that makes sure you don’t break the OS by uninstalling key/depending/dependent components.

“Jaime Airs”

I’d think that Operating System and other Applications / Programs should be completely isolated. In a few words, I could perform a clean (re)install of the OS, without need to reinstall the other installed software.

“Ray”

The feel and look of XP Pro to return!!!

“John”

Easy! No DRM!

I thank you all for your comments. Once I get a few more comments, I will make one big top 20 list of things that need to change in Windows 7.