Microsoft confirms: no three app limit in Windows 7 Starter
By Darren Murph 
posted May 30th 2009 3:58PM
posted May 30th 2009 3:58PM
We'd heard it through the grapevine that Microsoft was gearing up to right the wrong and nix that ludicrous three application limit for Windows 7 Starter Edition, and sure enough, it did just that via The Windows Blog. The company admitted that it was removing the three application at-a-time limit previously slated for inclusion in Win7 Starter "based on the feedback it has received from partners and customers." (Psst... thanks for yelling, people!) That said, the OS is still severely gimped, with no multi-monitor support, DVD playback, Windows Media Center, remote media streaming, XP Mode or network connectivity. Just kidding on that last one... we think.
so now it's only a 4 app limit?
The limit is going to be the grunt of the machine it'll be installed on.
I have no idea how they would disable remote media streaming, unless they prevent it from mapping network drives or accessing shares.
Presumably they're referring to the streaming capabilities that are built into WMP 12.
They mean if you're a tard, you can't share media. If you're not a tard, then you wont buy this embarrassing gimp of an OS.
Microsoft is pretty well set for Windows 7.
Meh, I'll just download a free version of Windows 7 Ultimate from my school network thanks to our special deals with Microsoft. I guess all that tuition money does pay for something.
Every university has that deal I believe.
(Isn't that only for CS students only, I could be wrong though, I know my little brother has most of it for free though as he's a CS student)
Where do you go to school? I go to IU, and I'll get Windows 7 for $10 for the dvd. That's awesome you get a free download of it though!
@Templarian: Yeah that wouldn't surprise me one bit. Here you have to be in CS or any form of Engineering to quality I believe.
@Matthew: I go to Montana State University. I'm actually not sure if they will have Windows 7 for download but I know I've downloaded XP so I'm hoping the system stays the same for 7! Interestingly, you're allowed to get a key for any version of XP - and that includes service packs... so I have 3 unused XP keys by requesting downloads for the Service Pack 1, 2, and 3 disks. =D
I think this is for the type of people who would be doing one type of thing and that only, like in a work environment.
At least they dont have to shell out for the better versions of windows
Certain Microsoft tools will not be included. That does not necessarily mean hardware will be limited. Many features can be done by third party aplications. There are plenty of programs that can play DVDs and there are several options for remote media streaming. None of this requires hacks or anything.
The only reason why DVD isn't included is because of the licensing stuff. They basically took everything that cost them in licensing fees and removed it. Seems like the only logical thing to do.
You whiners need to get real. Who will ever need more than 640K of RAM?
" not me " saids mr. gates.
So finally the service pack to fix the Vista mess is almost ready. Yawn.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit when I read that last restriction.
Hey Erik, move to Canada!
Oh wait, TV still sucks down here...
How come everything north of the border shrivels up and dies?
With the exception of my lovely hometown, Waterloo, of course... RIM!
Seriously, though... I find it hard to believe that TV in alaska is worse than in Canada. We get crap channels.
Hehe I know what you mean. But for me, as I now live in Japan, tv in all the world suck big time. I need my japanese tv shows.
Fix the ducking comment system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Oh my god.
FIX THE FUCKING COMMENT SYSTEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes fix this piece of garbage comment system. Worst one I've ever seen.
Sounds like people are complaining that the base model Windows version doesn't have the stuff the premium models have. Figures...
It's like complaining the base model car I bought doesn't have leather and navigation. If you want the features, upgrade! MS has said they will give you the option of doing a downloadable upgrade for an incremental cost. It's amazing to me that so many people haze MS for not being customer centric enough to offer customers a choice - yet when they do they get burned because they offer too many versions of their product. I'm not a MS shill at all but I gotta lean on the side of common sense here. If you don't like it, here's a revelation - don't buy it or upgrade to the version you want.
However, I do agree that no external monitor support (if that's true) is a bum deal. I actually think a netbook would be an awesome device for powerpoint presentations - especially if you're a traveling salesperson. Let's hope it's only for extended monitors and not cloning.
[Insert snarky comment about how OS A is far superior to the completely inoperable OS B for reasons X and Y (while both guys still manage to get their respective jobs done]
There, guys...I think we have our bases covered.
Most netbooks don't come with an optical drive, so who cares about DVD-video playback, besides, it's easily done by installing VLC and/or other software. Lack of media center won't be an issue either. If one have to have one, use XBMC. XP mode? It will require hardware virtualization anyway, which is not available on Atom processors. Besides, VirtualPC/Virtual box are available for free..
IMO, what really kills Starter edition is the lack of Aero. Really, a LOT of the UI functionalities of Windows 7 depend on aero. Without Aero, it's not the same experience. Even GMA950 can run aero, so this is the real ploy for users to upgrade to Home Premium. If Starter edition had aero, I bet it is extremely desirable for people that wanted a "slim" windows. It might still be a great/cheap OS for a gaming PC, as one would spend more time playing games instead of interfacing with Windows, unless you have to have multi-monitor support.
This actually sounds like a very decent version of Windows! No bloatware everywhere, on modern HW very snappy, hell, I wouldn't mind that! It's like Linux, except it actually supports generally available hardware and software on the market...
OK list time.
DVD Playback....on a netbook....think about it.
Media Center...I tried it on my Acer One. It runs. Its not exactly speedy and the interface is a bit...meh on such a small screen.
Ditto with Remote Media Streaming. I tried it on my 360. It works but the UI is somewhat slow.
Frankly I have no problems with this. If you are dropping $300 on a ultra cheap ass computer you aren't looking for all the bells and whistles to begin with, and if you are no doubt MS will let you upgrade the OS through their upgrade program.
Starter is a cheap solution for netbook in the third world. Netbook dont have DVD players. No need of dvd decoders.
Great! Windows 7 gets better and better, and its pretty sure that if you buy a vista pc after June 30 you get a free upgrade to the corresponding version of windows 7.
The 3 app thing was lame and glad they removed it, but...
"It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews..." That's lame, but whatever.
"Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes." Removing the ability to change a desktop background? Seriously Micro$oft, removing that from a basic version of Windows?
"DVD playback." This one is tricky. Are we talking not including a codec? Or will downloaded codecs and popular DVD software fail to function too? Will programs that have DVD install discs be unable to be used or just DVD movies?