Deprecate is a strange word; the only context I have seen for this
term is when a new computer system removes previous features.
Introduction to Deprecated Features in Windows 7
On this page 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.
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.
See more about restoring the old
Quick Launch
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.
There is no Network link or button on the Start Menu, however, it
does appear in the Windows Explorer which is just as useful. Talking of
networks, there is no Connect To button, instead you go click the icon
in the Navigation Area and select: Open the Network and Sharing Center.
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Add / Remove Windows Programs has been replaced by 'Features', which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.
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is one of the hidden
treasures of Microsoft's operating systems. Fortunately, SolarWinds
have created a
Free WMI Monitor so that you can discover these gems of performance
information, and thus improve your scripts.
Take the guess work out of which WMI counters to use when scripting the
operating system, Active Directory or Exchange Server. Give this WMI monitor a
try - it's free.
Outlook Express is replaced by Windows Mail, which together with
Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker, 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.
I have also been reviewing my Vista registry tweaks and am surprised
that some of my old tricks no longer work in Windows 7.
While Internet Explorer has not been removed, if you prefer Firefox
go to the Control Panel, Programs and 'Turn Windows feature off',
uncheck Internet Explorer 8. Naturally, you have to install
Firefox or Chrome manually.
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
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On this page I have listed feature 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.
If you like this page then please share it with your friends
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SolarWinds' performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages,
making it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
