Ezine 186 - Vista Features Removed from Windows 7
Deprecate is a strange word; the only context I have seen for this term
is when a new computer system removes
previous
features. Also note that the verb deprecate should not be confused with its cousin depreciate, which is what seems
to be happening to my house price!
Introduction to Deprecated Features in Windows 7
This week I have selected some of the items in Vista that you
won't find in Windows 7. What I find is that when
Microsoft deprecate a feature it confuses us old-timers because
we keep looking for them! Deprecating
utilities or applets also irritates those who can remember Microsoft boasting that you could do
everything on a new Windows operating system that you could do
on its ancestors. I guess that Microsoft's backwards compatibility
promise was broken when XP was launched, and has been conveniently
forgotten in
Windows 7.
It's
probably a sign of my aging, rather than any dramatic change in
society, but one of my biggest disappointments is when
supermarkets, banks and computer programs
change things that don't need changing, especially when the
'New' version is worse. Fair play to the RFC (Request for
comments), their numbers never change, a practice that should be
applied to TechNet articles, and extended to setting in stone the
url of webpages.
Vista Features Deprecated in Windows 7
- What many of us hanker after most is choice for our computer
settings. In contrast it seems that Microsoft now wants to
restrict our ability to customise toolbars in general, and that Vista Quick
Launch bar in particular.
- I also wonder why Microsoft removed that lovely 'glowing' effect
when
the XP network icon was connected. On the positive
side, joining a wireless network seems easier in Windows 7 than it was
in Vista.
- I am hoping that the latest re-organization of the Control Panel
will be the last for sometime. For example, the Printers
folder is now in Hardware and Sound. Maybe there is a
Classic XP style Start Menu, but I cannot find it. One item
that I
don't miss is the recent items list on the Start Menu, and I
have quite taken to the 'Jump Lists'.
- Add / Remove Windows Programs has been replaced by 'Features', which
you Turn on or Turn off. Fair enough, a Windows 7 change that makes sense.
- PowerShell is one of my favourite programs. I confess to a
'senior moment' when I visited a colleagues Windows 7 machine. I
could not 'Turn on Feature' for PowerShell as you do in Vista. In
fact I could not find any way to install it, so in desperation I typed
PowerShell in the Search dialog box, much to my embarrassment there was
PowerShell, installed by default in Windows 7. Not all new ways
are bad.
- Outlook Express is replaced by Windows Mail, which together with
Photo Gallery, you can get as an add-on from Windows Live.
- It's probably no big deal that the Ultimate edition of Windows 7 no
longer has DreamScene or games like Hold'em. Indeed, for many the
killer reason to spend the extra money on Ultimate is the need for
BitLocker security. However, for me it was peace of mind that I am not
missing something that caused me to pay the premium for Ultimate. For
example, some XP users get excited by the prospect of Windows 7 offering
XP emulation, only for their hopes dashed because Windows Home Premium
does not support XP Mode, for that they need Ultimate or Professional.
- I have also been reviewing my Vista registry tweaks and am surprised
that some of my old tricks no longer work in Windows 7. N.B. Thanks to
Stephen B correcting my mistake, I must no revisit my registry hacks.
For example, my party-piece
renaming the Computer
Icon on the desktop to reflect the username of whoever is logged on,
does work.
- In this short review about features deprecated in Windows 7, I admit
to suffering from version blindness, by that I mean if you are coming
form XP, I forget which features were deprecated in Vista, and which in
Windows 7. Most of all, I just wanted to alert you that while
Vista and Windows 7 are similar, if you cannot find a feature it maybe
because it has been removed.
For an extended list of deprecated features see here
 Guy
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Windows 8 Features:
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Windows 8 Metro UI •
Windows 8 Tips •
Windows 8 FAQ • Ezines
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•
Windows 8 Home •
E 179 Hide Accounts • E 187 Easy Transfer
•
E 186 Deprecated •
E 184 Windows Phone •
E 180 Godmode
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