Windows 7 feature request list leaks out

Although the Vista transition is far from complete, that doesn't mean Microsoft isn't already hard at work on Windows 7, the next version of the venerable operating system -- and this list of user-requested features unearthed by the folks at NeoWin might hold some clues as to the future. The "wish list" was sent out by Microsoft before Windows 7 development even began, so most of these features probably aren't even on the radar, but what's most interesting is that seemingly small fixes like "Window Update progress indicator" vastly outnumber big-ticket items like "integrated audio / video codec manager" and "Windows 'Game' Mode." We'd say that speaks to a major lack of imagination, so consider this a years-early How Would You Change?, and sound off in comments -- personally, we're hoping for a transactional file system, but we know you all can totally outdo us.

Read -- post at ArsTechnica
Read -- full list at NeoWin

[Chicksta @ Nov 12th 2007 4:27PM]

Just get rid of the incessant dialogs telling me that I have unused icons on my desktop. I don't want to have to disable them, I just want them gone.

[Josh @ Nov 12th 2007 6:15PM]

Those things piss me off too.

I would really like to see the 5 pillars of longhorn/vista... oh wait... weren't those supposed to be on vista in the first place? Like winFS amongst other things.

Finally, how about a network control center that someone can actually freaking use instead of that bullshit excuse for one in vista and XP.

[lyl545646 @ Nov 12th 2007 6:54PM]

tada?

http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2006/11/how-to-disable-there-are-unused-icons.html

[computer.dude.28 @ Nov 12th 2007 8:15PM]

I think we should be able to just have a control panel with a list of programs with 3 checkboxes beside each:
Show in Start Menu
Show in Quick Launch
Show on Desktop

This would completely remove the need for a "desktop cleanup", as you are choosing which icons you want. It would also stop installers from throwing the icons wherever they want.

[mattszafir @ Nov 12th 2007 4:28PM]

These things could be coded as fixes. They don't sound like they warrant a new version of Windows

[Kyle OBrien @ Nov 12th 2007 4:28PM]

forgot one... copy OS X Leopard

[jamma @ Nov 12th 2007 5:18PM]

Worst. Comment. Ever.

[applefreak @ Nov 12th 2007 6:10PM]

Best. Comment. Ever.

[Legodude522 @ Nov 12th 2007 6:21PM]

As a Mac user, I do not approve of this troll.

[Fenix @ Nov 12th 2007 6:43PM]

OS X Leopard: Copy Vista's translucent menu bar. Oh wait, I don't know how they did it, but Leopard's see-through menu bar is even more poorly executed than Aero Glass. Nice job, Apple!

[Kyle OBrien @ Nov 12th 2007 6:46PM]

Vista: copy generally everything else + make it slower + lower the security (remember we want BAD coverage)

[Mark @ Nov 12th 2007 7:28PM]

It'd be pretty hard to copy leopard considering it already copied vista. But if anyone can do it, I'm sure it's Microsoft. (Yes, I know everyone will be shocked that I said something negative of Microsoft, get over it people!) but ya, I can see Microsoft adding something similar to spaces and then everyone will say it copied leopard despite the fact that it's been in linux/unix for years

[Argot @ Nov 12th 2007 7:40PM]

Yeah, why not just copy/paste the whole thing from iPhone? Oh that's right, you can't copy/paste with the iPhone.

[JAmerican @ Nov 12th 2007 8:16PM]

Legodude! LOL

[Adam @ Nov 15th 2007 1:26AM]

Well actually virtual desktops was available in XP via a power tool direct from microsoft.

[jacob @ Nov 14th 2007 11:12AM]

i'm sure your right with the pricing. although, no backlit keyboard, magsafe, or aluminum shell [geforce may be on the cheap]. there will be some mac models that aren't cheaper. the only reason i am making this post from a mac pro right now is because it was cheaper than the dell [cheap asses here at work]. worked to my advantage. the 17" mbp is a bit high [too big for me anyhow]. the mbp is gonna be a little pricey. that raw aluminum shell is the best thing going and i don't mind paying for its durability.

i've built my share of pc's [6-7] over the last 8 yrs. there is NO WAY you can do the research that oem's are doing on hardware compatibility. there will always be hardware issues with diy pc's. in fact the one i have at home right now is a great machine [amdx2 4600, 4g ddr800, geforce8800] but it's no where as reliable as oem builds, and that applies to mac or pc's. besides thats ignoring a huge sector ... business ... there's no room for machines without warranties at work. like i said for my home machine i was able to keep up with dell's pricing [thanks newegg], but i still wouldn't be comparing that option to a mac pro.

btw, has anyone seen benchmarks for the octacore mac pro in leopard [full 64 bit]. wicked

[kz @ Dec 20th 2007 2:08PM]

actually it is total copy of linux distros and firefox or opera

[David Clark @ Nov 12th 2007 4:31PM]

#1 on the list: Out-do Apple once again, maintaining an army of fanboys to incessantly complain about an operating system they don't use -- including but not limited to "I hate it because it looks pretty" and "it doesn't run good on my $300 computer, so I went out and bought a $1200 instead"

[David Clark @ Nov 12th 2007 4:33PM]

Oh yah, and rank me low. I don't care. I haven't gone into Kudos bankruptcy yet.

[spyyder @ Nov 12th 2007 4:54PM]

get a job hippie, then maybe you can afford the enjoy the finer things in life instead of posting on engadget about your obvious shortcomings.

[jacob @ Nov 12th 2007 4:58PM]

use windows everyday (vm running in leopard), and not just to open some avi files. i use for hardcore apps like autocad architecture and 3d studio, yes in the virtual machine. works great. don't pull the pricing card. you know that's total bs. find a stats-match sony vaio that is as cheap as a mac...you won't, because it doesn't exist. i mean c'mon make an equal comparison. not everyone is okay with buying the cheapest hardware on the market (your 200-300$ pc). its pretty much disposable like paper plates and cups.

os x is built on unix. nothing about windows and the nt architecture can compete with that stability and flexibility. forget about the looks and all the other pretty stuff. tear them both down to the foundation. now, which would you have. look beyond the ui. i mean that what all the os x haters ask, but never follow through.

i mean i don't care cause i love and use both. i'm a geek.

the word fanboy is the most ridiculous shit to come out of the last decade, btw.

[David Clark @ Nov 12th 2007 4:59PM]

.. I have one.. I was just replying to OBrien. Don't take it too personally, chief.

[Mark @ Nov 12th 2007 7:45PM]

@jacob: just to correct you on pricing, yes, if you compare it to a sony but if you, say build a PC yourself(can't be done for an apple) it costs a LOT less for an equal computer. For example, about 2 years ago(so take into account how much things cost back then and what was good) I put together a computer with a 3.0 GHz P4, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD, dvd reader/writer, NVidia 7800GT with an MSI NForce 4 SLI motherboard with built in overclocking and a pretty freaking cool looking case for $1700. Anywhere else that would have cost upwards of $3000. Plus you can upgrade anything with a PC so I'm upgrading mine to a core 2 quad and new motherboard for $400. With a mac I'd have to buy a new one if I wanted that kind of performance boost.

[skrew @ Nov 12th 2007 8:23PM]

i'm calling your bluff oon the price jacob

Dell Inspiron 1720 matching the spec of a 17" Macbook pro


SYSTEM COLOR Jet Black edit
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7700 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition edit
DISPLAY Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900) edit
VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT edit
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz edit
HARD DRIVE Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) edit
OPTICAL DRIVE CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive) edit
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDS Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card edit
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam edit
BATTERY OPTIONS 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell) edit
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

$1,639.00 (add this coupon NP?GH2HGB4D$FH and the price is $1,409.00)

$2,799.00 for the macbook pro

[thethirdmoose @ Nov 12th 2007 9:38PM]

The screen is half the resolution. You can't even change that. And don't pretend that example wasn't cherry-picked

[Liam @ Nov 13th 2007 6:09AM]

Skrew, the Macbook Pros are actually quite overpriced, if all you're looking for is grunt. However, they are quite light and svelte (for a 15-17 inch laptop), and the casing and design is just quality. That's what people are paying for, I reckon.

At any rate, the (white) Macbook is far better value, which is why I bought one just over a month ago. I would guess the Macbook is the computer apple is making the most revenue from right now, the Pro is really just an aspirational brand thing compared to it. Yeah, they could compromise the design a bit, lop a bit off the profit, and it could square up to these PCs, but that would be missing the point.

[Andy Engelkemier @ Nov 12th 2007 4:33PM]

installation mode: something that stops pretty much every single service from interfering with things like hardware installs, software updates, and other things that might like to be left alone. Lots of software I use doesn't like things like antivirus software, firewalls, and a few things like that. I'd like a quick way to shut that all off. Preferably without a restart.

A quick, one button, way to get rid of all windows warnings. And every windows warning better have a damn checkbox that reads, "never show this annoying popup again!"

[Liam @ Nov 12th 2007 6:21PM]

Oh, that would be amazing... I've been using a mac for a month, and I can't help but feel far more in control of what is actually running and installed. Unlike on a PC, when my monthly checkup would unearth all kinds of randomness.

[HyperHacker @ Nov 12th 2007 7:07PM]

Also, three options:
1) Don't allow installers to crap all over my Programs menu.
2) Don't allow installers to crap all over my desktop.
3) Don't allow installers to crap all over my quick launch.

[Victor Mach @ Nov 12th 2007 4:33PM]

The Windows Early Feedback program was extended to most of the Vista beta participants. This has been around for ages now, I don't see much of the big deal.

[Jongscx @ Nov 12th 2007 4:39PM]

Am I the only one who read "the VULNERABLE operating system" in the second line?

[Ash A @ Nov 12th 2007 6:00PM]

Maybe they used venerable intentionally to make people think they're reading vulnerable? or just a bad choice of words.

[Garst @ Nov 12th 2007 5:01PM]

Yes, you were.

[THELIVINGCOLOSSUS @ Nov 13th 2007 6:59PM]

Perhaps they meant "venerable"? Or maybe it's just a Freudian slip...

[Ash A @ Nov 12th 2007 4:41PM]

Did anyone else notice "copy XBOX 360 games to PC"..?

I like how arranging desktop icons and deleting addresses from IE7 are on there...

[LesbianHam @ Nov 12th 2007 5:19PM]

Yea thats the one that got me all surprised lol, i thought that it would have been at least mentioned in the post!
Now what the hell is that all about... ?

[Iced_Eagle @ Nov 12th 2007 5:37PM]

It's a wish list.

It means someone said "Hey, this would be cool!" and then others would agree / disagree. This list isn't a feature list at all, but things that testers want MSFT people to look into. Some are small, some are big. Any request is a valid request.

[3rdsun @ Nov 12th 2007 4:51PM]

Shouldn't that statement read

"..Windows 7, the next version of the vulnerable operating system -- "

[3rdsun @ Nov 12th 2007 4:59PM]

Make it strong and secure like Linux but easy to use and configure.

Virtal desktops with a killer window manager like Compiz Fusion.

How about a basic version that is free to compete with Linux(they did it for the OLPC project)

[Tony @ Nov 12th 2007 9:07PM]

Read the comment 2 spots ahead of yours.

Venerable, not vulnerable.

[Badri @ Nov 12th 2007 4:51PM]

Well Vista has a transactional filesystem (NTFS5). So you might want try that out first.

[Ken @ Nov 12th 2007 5:23PM]

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366295.aspx

[Garst @ Nov 12th 2007 4:58PM]

They need to allow free mouse movement when you have Media Center full screen on a monitor on a multiple monitor set-up. The way it is now is quite frustrating.

[Ruben @ Nov 12th 2007 7:51PM]

Amen! I have my tv near my monitor and its really annoying how i have to press the windows key to get my computer monitor useable and mouse free when i want to browse while i watch TV.

Heres a few from me:

Fix the manor in which game take over the screen. No more flashing, odd resizes, a quarter box of black, then all of a sudden full screen. I want a fade (or even a cool animation) as the game switches resolution or takes full screen control, not the hack it seems like it is now.

Embed Games For WIndows Live into the interface, so you can press the X button on your 360 controller, which launches a "dashboard" like interface to launch games, etc.

The above mentioned ability to use a second monitor while media center is on (or even a keystroke which allows you to move to the other monitor).

Multiple desktops is a nice idea, but i can live without.

Micro-restarts, so when you install an update, you can reload the core, but keep all the activities you were conducting live and in-tact.

Installation tracker, so any program that has a poor uninstaller, can be uninstalled in a raw form (removal of all registry keys related to the program, removal of directories and shortcuts, etc.).

A neater All Programs menu, one that can categorize programs installed, and place the respective programs under larger headers, without requiring the user to have to manually place the items in a directory.

Much like the Games menu, a menu system for all other programs installed, like Office, adobe, etc, where the program makers work with Microsoft to allow the programs to make their way into those menus.

A stronger zip program. Perhaps one that recognizes more file types (really, rar is the only one that is important, but that isnt going to happen).

The UAC system, personally, is fine. However, there should be simplification for allowing you to modify a certain directory that, by default, is controlled by UAC against malicious changes. Perhaps a simple button that allows you to take full control (as opposed to modifying permissions, which isnt bad, but for novice users, its a pain), which then prompts you for a password.

Theres probably a ton more, but overall, im fine with Vista.

[Ruben @ Nov 12th 2007 7:51PM]

Amen! I have my tv near my monitor and its really annoying how i have to press the windows key to get my computer monitor useable and mouse free when i want to browse while i watch TV.

Heres a few from me:

Fix the manor in which game take over the screen. No more flashing, odd resizes, a quarter box of black, then all of a sudden full screen. I want a fade (or even a cool animation) as the game switches resolution or takes full screen control, not the hack it seems like it is now.

Embed Games For WIndows Live into the interface, so you can press the X button on your 360 controller, which launches a "dashboard" like interface to launch games, etc.

The above mentioned ability to use a second monitor while media center is on (or even a keystroke which allows you to move to the other monitor).

Multiple desktops is a nice idea, but i can live without.

Micro-restarts, so when you install an update, you can reload the core, but keep all the activities you were conducting live and in-tact.

Installation tracker, so any program that has a poor uninstaller, can be uninstalled in a raw form (removal of all registry keys related to the program, removal of directories and shortcuts, etc.).

A neater All Programs menu, one that can categorize programs installed, and place the respective programs under larger headers, without requiring the user to have to manually place the items in a directory.

Much like the Games menu, a menu system for all other programs installed, like Office, adobe, etc, where the program makers work with Microsoft to allow the programs to make their way into those menus.

A stronger zip program. Perhaps one that recognizes more file types (really, rar is the only one that is important, but that isnt going to happen).

The UAC system, personally, is fine. However, there should be simplification for allowing you to modify a certain directory that, by default, is controlled by UAC against malicious changes. Perhaps a simple button that allows you to take full control (as opposed to modifying permissions, which isnt bad, but for novice users, its a pain), which then prompts you for a password.

Theres probably a ton more, but overall, im fine with Vista.

[Ruben @ Nov 12th 2007 7:52PM]

Oh god Engadget, fix this crap! Your posting system is broken!

[computer.dude.28 @ Nov 12th 2007 8:09PM]

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. I have 2 screens and EVERY time I want to change something in Media Center, both screens flash as Vista Disables Aero and switches to Media Center. I end up needing to run WMC in windowed mode when I'm switching a lot.

[Mr.Iwantfreestuff @ Nov 12th 2007 5:00PM]

Maybe... make it stop sucking?

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I haven't had a very good time with Vista, which is why I'm using 2000 right now.

I think Microsoft needs to take a good look at OS X, and even Linux and figure out why they're taking advantage of Vista's... suckiness. My main complaint is Vista upped the hardware requirements for... nothing. What does Vista have that 2000 can't do? For me, DirectX 10 doesn't count, since I'm not a PC gamer. But that's just me, of course. IMO, Vista just fails to deliver because it doesn't really add anything new. Just heavier hardware requirements.

[Luke @ Nov 12th 2007 5:21PM]

Yeah, same thing with OSX. Time machine sucks so I revered to cheetah.

[ryan bean @ Nov 12th 2007 5:41PM]

Man if you went back to 2000, you have to be running some seriously old kit.