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May 5, 2009 4:48 PM PDT

Watch Windows 7 RC in action

Microsoft impressed many with its Windows 7 beta, and the new Windows 7 Release Candidate looks even better. More than mere bug fixes, the Windows 7 Release Candidate improves on device management and search-term highlighting, and includes support for a virtual XP mode to run older programs. Preview what's new in this First Look video, and don't miss the hand's on review.

Seth peers into the deep, dark corners of software so that you don't have to. He has yet to suffer a single nightmare about OS/2. You can follow him on Twitter.

Topics:: Windows Software

Tags:: Windows 7,; release candidate,; beta,; operating system,; First Look

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See all Windows 7 coverage.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (32 Comments)


by tiga_60 May 5, 2009 5:25 PM PDT: it is very strong; Like this Reply to this comment

by Orion Blastar May 5, 2009 6:24 PM PDT

Video does not work in Firefox. Internet Explorer only? Come on CNet, not all of us use Windows or Internet Explorer, at least let it work in Firefox so I can see it without switching to the less secure IE bloated app.

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by MafiaPenguin May 5, 2009 7:03 PM PDT: I can see it in FF just fine. Before you go bash CNet, try disabling NoScript, Adblock, Flashblock, etc if you have them.; Like this


by Mike.Hawk May 5, 2009 8:14 PM PDT: its works in opera. try downloading opera it is a great broswer just as secure as firefox; Like this


by cz104th May 5, 2009 11:25 PM PDT: Its your Adblock Plus add-on.; Like this


by profdavidson May 9, 2009 3:22 PM PDT: if Adblock plus blocks it, it MUST be spam! By windows seven you mean: CYDOOR, MYDOOM, AND WORM VIRUSES!; Like this


by jake3373 May 9, 2009 3:41 PM PDT: Video plays fine in Firefox (with AdBlock Plus).; Like this


by big8news May 9, 2009 4:33 PM PDT: it work's on my Firefox just good; Like this


by Joerwp May 9, 2009 5:44 PM PDT: google chrome ;); Like this


by sexyclit May 9, 2009 5:59 PM PDT: so why the hell am i watching it on firefox dumdass; Like this


by Sickest_One May 5, 2009 7:23 PM PDT: I am using firefox and it works just fine. Your computer just sucks.; Like this Reply to this comment

by owensguillen May 5, 2009 9:33 PM PDT

i tried installing it i made the iso dvd and started running it but i get this error :0x8007045d and it cancels the installation, i made another dvd at a lower burning speed and this one freezes copying files never gets passed 47% ... so i just can't get it to run in my machine which i already have the windows 7 beta but the touch pad of the mouse doesn't work correctly .. it won't scroll so i decided to install windows 7 rc but i had no luck sadly :( any thoughts anybody?

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by Lumione May 11, 2009 12:06 AM PDT: hi there, I have it installed and runs perfectly, why not use a USB installer in that case, just get a 4 gig USB drive and google "install windows 7 through USB", i never believed in using burn dvd to install an OS, anything can happen in between, they are optical devices. OEM written dvds are more stable than user burnt ones especially for that volume of data.; Like this


by alex.gorex May 5, 2009 10:10 PM PDT: I've downloaded and installed RC1 on my desktop, it works fine and very fast. Unfortunatelly, inspite of Miscrosoft's promises, some software don't work correctly there. For example, only Auslogics's products work fine (probably, they had tested their programs with previous versions of W7) among my system utilities. Firefox works fine but I've found some crashes. All MS products work perfectly.; Like this Reply to this comment

by Prince Persona May 5, 2009 11:01 PM PDT

I love putting icons on my flash drives so that I can see my favorite picture instead of the default image windows uses to represent a flash drive. I use an auto run file titled "autorun.inf" to tell the icon to display it reads as follows [AUTORUN] ICON=CHII.ICO Would the new update prevent my icon from showing or would t just prevent an autorun file from running if it listed a program to open? If it would prevent it from showing, I would like to know where I would need to go to disable this feature and allow my icons to show again.

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by alex.gorex May 6, 2009 1:36 AM PDT: I don't think so, it's a general way to use a custom icon for a drive. At least, I can see the icon for MYBOOK drive under Windows 7.; Like this


by Lumione May 11, 2009 12:07 AM PDT: I doubt as well, it runs fine.; Like this


by jeremyray02 May 9, 2009 12:54 PM PDT: Windows 7 RC is great and it works great assuming you meet the requirements. It has fullfilled all its promises to me and more!; Like this Reply to this comment

by eric111z May 9, 2009 3:00 PM PDT

Looks like a cross between Vista and XP . Some of vistas features tied in with xp. No big deal. Microsoft neded a fix for the bloated Vista system ,so what we have is only a cross between the two for the folks who could not use vista. This is lots closer to XP . New pictures a few media things but i dont see anything really impressive. Its just a much easier O.P. for the folks who could'nt master vista or did'nt want the bloated vista O.P.. I dont see anything new here. . I am ready to load MAC 9 with an emulator and tell Bill and company by, by. For $90 bucks you dont need any virus ,spyware software . Thats almost enough of a reason to switch to a MAC O.P. With a little reading and a small amount of tec knoledge a MAC O.P. slips right into any P.C or notebok. I have had it with microsoft .

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by jake3373 May 9, 2009 3:43 PM PDT: Windows 7 includes much better driver support and may other new features - try it out for yourself and you'll be the first in line to buy it when it is released.; Like this


by Toulinwoek May 10, 2009 3:41 PM PDT: Sorry to disagree with you Eric, but I find many new things in Win7 over XP, beyond just visual stuff. In fact there have been noticeable improvements over even the 7000 beta. I run both XP and Win7 on the same hardware and I can tell you the performance boost is very evident without having to resort to benchmarking tools and such. The new taskbar, the "peek" feature, device and hardware support are all very good from my experience, much less wondering of stuff is going to work. I did have a problem with a MIDI controller that didn't work under Win7 because its driver was not digitally signed, and I haven't tried it yet with the RC, but Win7 is still pretty impressive to me, and I was quite comfortable with XP. With regard to concerns over compatibility, I have, literally, over 300 programs installed on my computer, and the compatibility issues have not only been very rare, but in all cases they were attributable to the program (older, 32-bit apps), and not Windows. I doubt that compatibility issues are goiing to weigh Win7 down as much as some might think. This is almost a moot point with XP Mode. Of course, you can switch to Mac if you like, but if you think you really don't need security software, then perhaps you'd better bone up on your "tec knowledge" before you lull yourself into a falsely enhanced sense of security. Yeah, you do get a pretty nice security boost with Macs, but they are NOT invulnerable. And remember, it doesn't take all the tens of thousands of viruses that plague Windows to give you a bad case of the blues. It only takes ONE.; Like this

by arndtnelson May 9, 2009 6:43 PM PDT

i agree with eric, its more a mix of the xp's simple UI, and topped with the vista's aero theme. But anyways, there were good features but, compatibility could pull down W7, its a good thing they added the xp mode, but it should have been full compatibilty, with vista's and XP's software. W7 could be a great OS. We'll just have to wait.

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by IanX211 May 10, 2009 2:31 AM PDT: IMO the reason why Microsoft doesn't put in full compatibility is because if they do, then 90% of those who still have XP will stick with XP until "Windows 8" and Microsoft will have to continue to support XP. XP users and Apple will ask: "What's the point of upgrading Windows if the new one only has bell and whistles?" XP mode was placed to lure corporations and users who wanted to upgrade XP but were reluctant to upgrade to Vista.; Like this

by lovcom May 10, 2009 2:19 AM PDT

I use Vista at work and home and so do most everyone I know so until 7 comes way down in price I will be staying with Vista.

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by Randomweirdo May 10, 2009 3:59 AM PDT: Same. The only way most people will end up using Windows 7 is if it comes pre-installed on a new PC; Like this


by Toulinwoek May 10, 2009 3:47 PM PDT: That's a problem for me too. I don't know yet what it's going to cost, but I am pretty sure I won't like the price. Microsoft could really start building coffins for other OSes if the final release of Win7 is as impressive as the beta/RC, AND if they give folks a real break on the price. I'm dreaming of getting Win7 Ultimate for around a hundred bucks (I know, fat chance, but one can dream). However (and I'm sure Microsoft just LOVES to hear this): I have to admit that I am so impressed with Win7 that I'm already planning to save up for it; maybe sell off a few of my gold tooth fillings! LOL; Like this


by jolas1971 May 10, 2009 5:12 AM PDT: this is the best site for souce of techie products and informative field to be with and work with,,,,,,,,,,; Like this Reply to this comment


by mahendhiren May 10, 2009 11:50 AM PDT: Windows 7 is superb, I tried it I like it works great; Like this Reply to this comment


by mnl1121 May 10, 2009 12:25 PM PDT: haven't tried it yet but i've downloaded the RC already. and one other thing. Seth is SOOOO boring. dude quit the mono toned voice.; Like this Reply to this comment


by Ceedub2 May 10, 2009 5:13 PM PDT: I think MS is doing a fine job by letting the public test out 7 and summit ideas. I too am hoping they drop the price on 7 when it comes out. It will slam Mac down a little.; Like this Reply to this comment


by Lumione May 11, 2009 12:28 AM PDT: i'm using win7 and works perfect. The only issue i had was my SD card driver and i downloaded that from sony's site and an up. Things are lot easier on win7 than vista. I will definitely upgrade. Am a flash guy and all CS3 suit works well, including flex builder and other tools. I think people should try it first before giving a premature judgment. You cannot compare MS with Apple. MS tries to make software that will run on hundreds of brands of machines with several varying configurations(processor speeds, memory, camera or none) and special devices. Apple makes OS for Mac (one machine) with pre-known configuration. They do 2 different jobs and I think you should ask Apple to do what MS is doing and let's see how it will go. Then can you point a finger at MS. Let's have Apple have same penetration as MS and you'll see streams of viruses that'll lounge fat on OSX. Viruses are written by humans, most of them live outside the US and most of these guys only afford cheap PC, cos it's clonable. What am I saying, Apple has its strength, so also MS has it's strength. If there was no MS, how many people will be using computers today? If there was no Apple, how ugly will our UI look?; Like this Reply to this comment


by mdzakiansari May 14, 2009 9:21 PM PDT: While it may be a great improvement over vista, it does not look like a quantum jump in improving the windows operating system. Vista was not a system which users liked and MS couldn't have gone back to XP, so they have produced a similar and a little better system.; Like this Reply to this comment