Windows 7 PCs to go on sale early

Looking to get Windows 7 before everyone else? You could, if you purchase it with a new computer from a small custom PC maker. Friendly Computers has more info below…

If you've been putting off buying a new PC because you're waiting for Windows 7 to ship, you're in luck. At least one manufacturer plans to make Windows 7 PCs available to customers early, nine days to be exact, and Redmond isn't going to get in its way. In fact, Microsoft is perfectly fine with the idea. "October 12 is the date that Microsoft enables our Authorized Replicators to begin shipping Windows 7 to Microsoft OEM Authorized Distributors," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed with Ars.

"As the fulfillment process through our supply chain takes time, we begin initial product distribution in advance of General Availability. Therefore, this represents our Release To Manufacturing (RTM) process for OEMs who purchase indirectly through Distribution. So, while in theory a System Builder could get Windows 7 product pre-GA, based on supply chain analysis, the intended timing for customers to receive Windows 7 PCs from System Builders should be close to GA, October 22nd. This represents the same process Microsoft managed with past Windows releases."

According to custom computer maker Puget Systems, smaller system builders can sell Windows 7 PCs as soon as they receive the operating system's product keys, which is expected to be as early as the next day after Microsoft gives the green light. "Customers who place orders for a full personal computer system, and who select Microsoft Windows 7 as their OS of choice, will be immediately placed in queue for shipment which will begin in earnest on October 13, 2009," reads a statement on the company's website. "Orders will be placed in queue on first-come basis and Puget Systems standard shipping policies apply. Place your order early to ensure an early spot in our queue! Shipping dates are not guaranteed."

The company already has a configure webpage available for choosing the parts of a new Windows 7 PC. Puget Systems has copies of the operating system on hand to preload onto computers and configure them in advance. The second the company gets the keys, they'll enter them in and the ordered Windows 7 PCs will be ready to go. Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit is set as the default choice, with a cost of $97.09 included in the final price. Windows 7 Professional 64-bit is also available for an extra $46.10 (total is $143.19) and Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit will be an additional $62.46 (total is $205.65) on top of that.

Jon Bach, president of Puget Systems, asked Microsoft for details of Windows 7's October 22 launch and was kindly informed that the date was actually October 13 for his company. After he asked for more details, he was told that the earlier date only applies to system builders that buy the operating system through distribution channels, meaning OEMS and retailers are excluded. It's a competitive edge that system builders will definitely appreciate. Some of them are unhappy with the prices they must pay Microsoft to sell the company's operating system with their products. Last week, Microsoft revealed that for a $1000 PC, OEMs pay about $50, or five percent, for Windows.

Windows 7 will officially hit general availability on October 22, 2009. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be kicking off the official Windows 7 launch at an event in New York City that day, and house parties celebrating the operating system's debut will erupt across the world.

Although select groups of tech enthusiasts have been using Windows 7 RTM on their computers for weeks, this new date would be the first time a customer could buy a new computer with the operating system preloaded and ready to go. That may not seem like a big deal to those who buy the operating system separately from the computer, but one must remember that about 95 percent of Windows copies are sold along with the accompanying hardware. While nine days early may not seem like a lot, it is for those who have been waiting on Vista's successor since the Longhorn days, and it's definitely a huge deal for the small system builders who will likely get a huge boost from the early bird deals.

Earlier this month, system builders were complaining that Microsoft had delayed the release of Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation Kits (OPKs) and did not give them a specific date by which to expect them. OPKs are designed for automating the installation and customization of Windows and other Microsoft products on multiple PCs.

Microsoft originally gave Ars two reasons for this decision. The first explained that since system builders are typically local and have less complex supply chains, they can often go to market much faster than larger OEMs. What we're learning now conflicts, however, with the second reason: "there is no effective way for Microsoft to provide those partners the product earlier and maintain the established general availability date." Either Microsoft has had a change of heart, or it was simply delaying the news of Windows 7 PCs being available early so that the announcement would have a bigger impact.

It appears that system builders have received a blessing from Microsoft: the early availability doesn't apply to people who bought Windows Vista PCs with the right to upgrade for free to Windows 7 when it comes out, and consumers can't go to OEMs since they don't have the option of sidestepping the October 22 date. Such exclusivity doesn't typically come easy for small busineses, so they really should milk it while they can.

Source: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/windows-7-pcs-to-go-on-sale-early.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

First Windows 7 update improves application compatibility

The first official update for Windows 7 was released this week, and it focuses on fixing application compatibility issues. Friendly Computers has more information below…

Microsoft this week released the first update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 on Windows Update. The update resolves problems when trying to install or run certain legacy games or applications. Users may find that the game, application, or firmware ends up installing incorrectly, causes system instability, or the primary functions do not work correctly. If you didn't see it on Windows Update, the update is also available for download from the Microsoft Download Center for: Windows 7 32-bit (1.77MB), Windows 7 64-bit (1.90MB), Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit (1.90MB), and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium (1.97MB).

Microsoft has released application compatibility updates for Windows 7 before, but those were solely for testers running builds 7000 (beta) and 7100 (RC). Microsoft plans to regularly release Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 application compatibility updates, so this is the first of many to come. This update builds on those that preceded it, adding fixes for the following applications:

• Alcohol 52%: Update enables Windows 7 compatible Alcohol 52% versions to work
• Altiris and Symantec Virtual Software up to version 6.1.499.x: Upgrade Block to avoid errors during Windows upgrade
• ZoomText version 9.18: Driver hard Block to prevent an error
• Dell Printer Driver (Models-V105, V305 and V505) : Upgrade Block to avoid setup failure
• Trend Micro Internet Security 2007: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade
• Trend Micro Internet Security 2008: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade
• Trend Micro Internet Security 2009: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade
• YiDongFeiXin version 2.2.x and version 3.5.x: Enables application to work
• PGP Desktop up to version 9.x: Soft Block to warn about possible issue after Windows upgrade
• Trend Micro VirusBuster 2008: Upgrade Block to avoid errors
• Windows Live Photo Gallery: Update Windows Live Photo Gallery to avoid file association issue with Windows Media Player OCX

Those running Windows 7 RTM or Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM will note that Microsoft has previously released updates for Internet Explorer 8, Silverlight, Windows Defender, as well as various new drivers, but that this is the first one directly targeted at the actual operating system. No security updates have been released for either of the operating systems despite the many patches sent out every month on Patch Tuesday. We bet there will be quite a list of updates for users that install the operating system on October 22, 2009.

Source: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/windows-7-application-compatibility-update-for-august-2009.ars?utm_source=microblogging&utm_medium=arstch&utm_term=Main%20Account&utm_campaign=microblogging

Windows 8: More early clues start to emerge

With Windows 7 well on its way to release, you may be wondering what’s next. Friendly Computers learned that Microsoft has already begun planning the next version of its operating system. Read more below…

As soon as Microsoft releases the final bits of a new Windows release to manufacturing — and often before — many users’ thoughts turn to what’s next.

Windows 7 and its server complement, Windows Server 2008 R2, were released to manufacturing in late July. By late August, Microsoft’s Windows client unit already was turning the crank on Windows 8 client and server.

Anders Vindberg, a Microsoft Technical Fellow in Microsoft’s Management and Services division — a “Big Brains” interview with whom I’ll be posting soon — acknowledged that planning sessions were well underway for Windows 8. And of the 12 working groups created, “eight or nine revolve around management.” (Back in April of this year, Microsoft was seeking developers interested in working on some of these management features and enhancements to Distributed File System Replication for Windows 8.)

Stephen Chapman, a tech enthusiast who runs the UX Evangelist site, has been beating the bushes for a few months now for Windows 8 information. He recently unearthed a number of job profiles of folks who have worked on and are working on various elements which may or may not make it into the final Windows 8 release.

Chapman found listings regarding tweaks being made to the Hibernate/Resume/Integration programming interface “that can integrate and utilize the new TLZ file compression engine.” (I’m not really sure what TLZ means here. I found a reference to TLZ as a file extension for Tar (.TAR) file compressed with LZMA (.LZMA) file compression “most commonly used on Unix systems.”)

He also found a reference to more tweaks that Microsoft is making around kernel patch protection, via PatchGuard. Chapman blogged that, based on what he unearthed, “PatchGuard is apparently going to make life even a little more difficult for hackers (and anti-virus companies as well, perhaps).”

Things are happening on the Windows 8 Server front, too. It seems that the Dublin application server that Microsoft has been readying might find its way into Windows 8 Server, based on another online resume Chapman found. (Microsoft officials said last year that the grand plan for Dublin was to integrate it into Windows Server, but never said when.)

I’ve seen a few Windows 8 references out there focused around the server version that mention new functionality Microsoft is working on to make Windows 8 Server an even stronger datacenter operating system. That dovetails with Microsoft’s slow but steady push toward offering customers not just a public-cloud hosting capability, but also a private one. For Microsoft, a private cloud will revolve around Windows Server. Some of the features/functionality developed by the Windows Azure operating system (Red Dog) team will undoubtedly find their way back into future iterations of Windows Server.

It’s still early. Windows 8 is unlikely to debut until 2011, at the earliest, given the way Microsoft is delivering Windows releases these days. I’ll be interested as to how Microsoft execs characterize Windows 8, given they decided to deem Windows 7 a “major” release and Windows Server 2008 R2 a “minor” one.

Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4047&tag=nl.e589

Microsoft to offer cheap Windows 7 for students

Friendly Computers understands how tough college can be on your pocketbook, and apparently so does Microsoft. They have decided to offer Windows 7 to college students at a huge discount starting October 1. Read more below…

Microsoft plans to offer a substantial discount for college students who want to pick up a copy of Windows 7.

Starting October 1--and for a limited time--those in the U.K. will be able to preorder Windows 7 for 30 British pounds, according to a Microsoft Web site. In a Twitter posting, Microsoft said that U.S. college students will be able to get the software for $30, but the Web site it linked to does not yet have details on the offer.

"This offer is specifically designed for those students who are not planning to purchase a new PC this year but would still like to take advantage of what Windows 7 offers," a Microsoft representative said. Those who order the software will be able to download it when Windows 7 ships on October 22. Students interested in the deal need a valid college e-mail address.

Microsoft plans similar offers in Canada, Australia, Korea, Mexico, France, and Germany, though the prices will vary somewhat.

In the U.S., students can preorder their copy of Windows 7 beginning later Thursday, while those in most other countries where the deal is being offered will have to wait to order until October 22. In most markets, the offer will end on January 3, though it will run longer in some places, such as Australia, where it will be available through the end of March.

The offer was noted earlier by Microsoft enthusiast site Neowin.net.

This is the latest deal from Microsoft, which earlier offered a preorder offer the let users buy the upgrade version of Windows 7 Home Premium for $49. That deal ended July 11 for those in the U.S. Microsoft is also offering a "family pack" option.

Source: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10355710-12.html

Easily Backup & Import Your Wireless Network Settings in Windows 7

Friendly Computers learned about a new feature in Windows 7 that makes setting up wireless networks much simpler than they have been in the past. Read more below…

One of the biggest annoyances when setting up wireless networks is remembering the security key and typing it correctly so that you can connect all laptops and netbooks to it. Windows 7 makes it easy to export your wireless settings from one machine to another.

The backup of the wireless networks settings can be easily done from Windows 7, and the settings can be saved to a USB stick, and then the settings can be imported on laptops & netbooks running Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

How to Save Your Wireless Network Settings

First, open the Network and Sharing Center. You can do this by clicking on the wireless network symbol from the taskbar and clicking on ‘Open Network and Sharing Center’. An alternative would be to go to Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center.

On the left side of the Network and Sharing Center window, click on the ‘Manage wireless networks’ link.

In the Manage Wireless Networks window you will see a list with all wireless networks to which you have connected in the past. Double click on the one which interests you.

Now you will see a window with all its properties. In order to save them on a flash drive, click on the bottom link which says ‘Copy this network profile to a USD flash drive’.

The Copy Network Settings wizard will now start. Insert the USB flash drive, wait until it is detected and the Next button is no longer gray.

The copying process will take only a few seconds. When done, click on Close.

If you will look on your USB flash drive you will see a setupSNK.exe file and a SMRTNTKY folder. Make sure you don’t delete them from the memory stick.

How to Import Your Wireless Network Settings

First, plug in the USB flash drive in the laptop where you want to import the settings and run the setupSNK.exe file. When the Wireless Network Setup Wizard launches, click on Yes.

The settings will be imported in seconds and when receiving the notification below, click on OK and start using the wireless network.

This procedure is very helpful for both public and hidden wireless networks. Instead of typing long authentication keys, it is easier to plug in an USB memory stick and run a setup file.

Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/4081/easily-backup-import-your-wireless-network-settings-in-windows-7/

How Long Windows 7 Upgrades Will Take

With the release of Windows 7 just around the corner, Friendly Computers thinks it’s time to start planning for the upgrade. You may be wondering how long the upgrade process will take. It seems that the times vary quite a bit, but the article below may help you determine how long it will take for your PC.

If you're a casual Windows Vista user with just a few documents tidily stashed away, upgrading to Windows 7 should take less than an hour. More likely, though, is a three-hour upgrade for heavy users with lots of stashed stuff.

Chris Hernandez at the TechNet blogs ran three types of computers—low-end, mid-range, and high-end—through a Windows 7 upgrade with four different configurations each, reflecting the file and application loads of a "clean user" all the way through "super user." A clean user profile on high-end hardware was able to upgrade in about 35 minutes, while a super user on mid-range gear would need about 20 hours to upgrade.

Actual users' experiences will vary, of course, but it's worth checking out your upgrade time estimates to have enough time set aside for an upgrade, or at least consider a clean install. In one Lifehacker editor's experience, a very clean and tidy laptop took about an hour to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7, while a laptop with "an obscene amount of stuff installed" took a good eight hours or so to run through—though both upgraded successfully.

Note also that the timed results were within 5 percent of the upgrade times for Vista SP1, so it's not exactly breaking news that Microsoft upgrades can take quite some time. But we're guessing quite a few more systems might see Windows 7 discs slipped inside than Vista, so hopefully more users will be prepared.

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5358900/how-long-windows-7-upgrades-will-take

Turn Vista into Windows 7 for free

If you are interested in some of the new features of Windows 7 but aren’t ready to pay for the upgrade, there are a few downloads and tweaks to make your Vista PC a little more 7-like. Friendly Computers found a fantastic article that outlines some of these tweaks. Read more below…

Every time Microsoft delivers a new OS it's possible to get many of the features of a Windows upgrade in the previous version of Windows. Windows 7 is no exception. Here's a roundup of a few things you can do to make Windows Vista as Windows 7-like as possible, without shelling out for the new OS.

We'll start out with a couple tweaks, then tell you about four free apps you can download. And a tip of the hat to the amazing Gina Trapani at Lifehacker, from whom I picked up several of these tricks.

First the taskbar. Windows 7 lets you "pin" apps to the taskbar and we can approximate that in Vista. Here's how.

Right-click on your taskbar.

Select toolbars.

And choose Quick Launch.

Now drag the icons you wish to "pin" into the left side of the taskbar.

Right click on the taskbar again and uncheck "lock taskbar."

Now click on the three rows of dots, hold down the mouse, and drag the bar over until you see all your icons.

Now, they look a little small like that, so let's make them bigger. Make sure the taskbar is unlocked.

Now right click on the taskbar again.

Select the view menu and choose large icons.

That's OK. But if you want a real Mac-like dock, forget all that and install RocketDock. It gives you a whole new Macish dock that you can put down at the bottom of the window instead of the taskbar.

But your Windows still looks all Vista-y. One more interface tweak before we move on. Download VistaGlazz 1.3. It's a utility that changes some system files to allow you to implement third-party themes on Vista. Launch VistaGlazz and, if you're sure, agree to allow it to modify your system files. I did it, and had no issues. But I make no guarantee.

Now you need a Windows 7 theme. Go to DeviantArt.com and get "Windows 7 Style for Vista." It should be by giannisgx89.

Download it, uncompress it, and then inside the Windows 7 Style folder, go into the theme folder and find the file called Windows 7 and the folder called Windows 7. Copy both to C:Windows\Resources\Themes\. (You'll need admin access to copy these.)

Now right-click anywhere on your Desktop and select "Personalize." Click on "Theme" and supposedly you can select the Windows 7 theme from the drop-down list. That didn't work for me, so I had to browse to C:Windows/Resources/Themes and choose the Windows 7 theme manually. Once you've got it, press Apply and you have a Windows 7 look!

You can also go to DeviantArt for wallpaper, log-in screens, and other Windows 7ish customization options.

Four free apps and we're done.

In Windows 7, Aero Shake kicks in when you shake an active Window, minimizing all the other windows. You can download a Vista version from LifeHacker for free.

Next you'll want the nifty Win 7 feature that halves the size of a window and docks it to the side of the screen. There's an app for that. It's German and it's called AeroSnap. You can get it at aerosnap.de.vu.

The Windows 7 calculator is also a lovely souped-up thing. Some intrepid hacker has actually pulled it out of Windows 7 and made it available on Box.net. You'll have to do a search to find it. And there's no guaranteeing it will still be there when you do. Is it legal? That's fuzzy. Probably not. But it is cool. Just make sure you back up your Vista calculator if you decide to replace it with this one. Just in case things go sideways on you.

Finally, Windows 7 has a much easier way to select Wi-Fi networks. It's not a perfect match, but NetSetMan from netsetman.com is much better than the default Vista manger and gives you lots of other powerful tools as well.

There are plenty of other tweaks, like turning off User Account Control and tricks to speed up startup, covered in Ms. Trapani's Lifehacker article as well as in a few of our Windows videos at cnettv.com.

Source: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10350802-12.html?tag=mncol;txt