Windows 7 - So is it just one big upgrade?

I've been following the process of Windows 7 and even thought there has been some great changes many people are claiming or starting to believe it's more of an "upgrade" to Vista, what Vista should have been. But is this true? Minus the toolbar, it looks incredibly like Vista, just with that more blue image instead of the Vista streaks. I thought we'd see some window decoration changes but it really is the same. Do you think Microsoft are just trying to cover themselves for the dissapointment that Vista was (more like what people thought, as it does rock)? I hope not. Even though we're coming to the final builds, I'd still like to see some more graphical changes, something that moves it further away from Vista, don't you?

Hi Jack,

I'm sure there is more done under the hood for the code that is different than Vista, but so far Windows 7 is looking like just a upgraded version of Vista with a few features tossed in for good measure. However, it is still just a beta and who knows what features may be unlocked, changed, or added later.

I think that they are trying to keep some of Vista's Good looks because that was never a problem with Vista, it was something that every one enjoyed and it has also been emulated for XP. I agree that it needs to be different but looks are not going to be the answer to a successful Operating System the most important IMO will be usability, speed, compatibility, flexibility, stability, and longevity.

I have high hopes for 7 and have no wish to put it down, before release, as was done with Vista.
However, I am one of the "what Vista should have been" society.
Unfortunately, I obviously have some subtle difefrences on my computers, so cannot comment on the incredible startup speeds that are being achieved. The "new features could esaily be incorporated into Vista, what few there are so far.
Par for par, identical computers with the same software installed, I have no big differences in performance.
Nothing could be more stable than my Vista installation. I have had no bsod's since RC2, except for bungling experiments of my own making. So I am obliged to discount that as an improvement.
I am not a network game player, so cannot vouch for some of the + and- claims in that area.
"Under the hood" . If you look back at earlier OS pre releases,since win95, you will find that is an oft quoted comment which pops up, even on the Microsoft pages. Yes or No- it cannot be disputed except on observation, or if you should have access to the code.
On thing that stands out is , if you have a quick browse through the files, paarticuarly in operational folders such as system32, and comapre it alongside Vista, there do not seem to be any great changes in size.
Lightheartedly, I mean that, in my more neurotic moments, I am thinking that the computer public are being subjected to the biggest con that MS have ever perpetrated and what we are about to get is Vista SP3 rebadged as Windows 7.
As I said at the start, I am optimistic though.

I have had a chance to play with Windows 7 a little. I have to say that it is much more then an upgrade.

Personally, I love the new taskbar. It makes working with several documents a lot easier. I also find the UAC is much improved and will be liked a lot better by the normal users. Networking home computers has had a major change. It is now a lot easier.

Also look at the caculator. It has pretty much been the same since it was added to the Windows environment. It has finally been fine tuned with some additional useful features added.

Granted, it was prebeta that I used, so I am sure that their will be some more changes. I am very much looking forward to the first public beta, the RC and the final release.

I'm still not getting it. I must be a real low pessimist!
UAC? Well I don't use it.
"It makes working with several documents a lot easier" How is that?
After installing 7, and putting in my encyption and workgroup name, as requested, my installation sets up the network for me, on Vista or 7. I cannot think of an improvement on that.

For users at home and users that are novice when it comes to computers, they leave the UAC on. It has been fine tuned and should not pop up as much. Not everyone is computer smart.

As far as networking, I was refering to home networking. It will be easier for users that want to connect their in home computers together. Granted, networking isn't that hard for people with experiance, but I think it is a good advancement for people who may not know enough to connect home computers together.

Sorry Dave I apologize, I do not wish you to go I only request that you give this OS a fair go before publicizing your opinions and you are always welcome to post your thoughts and suggestions and I know you can also be very helpful so again don't feel that you are not welcome and I am sure by some you are also well liked.

I would PM you but you don't seem to have it enabled.

I have to agree with dave to some degree. Even though I like the new stuff in 7, I won't buy it. It doesn't have enough new stuff to be worth the price.

I,m sorry, Mr Grim (God - what a pseudo!) that you had to go public. I wasn't aware that my PM was not enabled, I'll have a look at my profile and fix it up.
Anyway. I am terribly interested in the development of 7 and would hate to lose this informative site.