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Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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December 27th, 2008

First look at Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400)

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 6:12 am

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Beta, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

I have to thank Santa for leaving me a copy of Windows 7 beta 1 in my stocking for Christmas Day. This beta (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) should be the first and only beta from Microsoft of Windows 7, and I’m pleased to report that it’s a good one.

UPDATE: Check out the Windows 7 beta 1 review!

Gallery: Windows 7 beta 1

Note: If you want to know more about what that long string of digits that make up the build number mean, check out this excellent post by Mary Jo Foley.

I’ve not had a long time with Windows 7 beta 1 (given the holidays) but I’ve played with it long enough to form a few opinions:

There are no new features in this build. If Microsoft has any new stuff lined up for the RTM then we’re going to have to wait to find out. Features-wise, build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400 is similar to earlier builds I’ve looked at (here are some posts for you to check out: 1, 2, 3).
This beta is of excellent quality. This is the kind of code that you could roll out and live with. Even the pre-betas were solid, but finally this beta feels like it’s “done.” This beta exceeds the quality of any other Microsoft OS beta that I’ve handled.
Performance of this beta is exceptional. I’ve not had a chance to benchmark it yet but it feels snappier and more responsive than earlier betas I’ve handled.
Judging by the quality of this build, I expect Windows 7 to be released June/July of ‘09. I really can’t see Microsoft dragging out the release a year.

Here are some screenshots to whet your appetite:

I’ll have a more in-depth review for Windows 7 beta 1 later …

Any questions? Pop them in the TalkBack section!

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Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

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Numbers: Yes, but when the kernel and ui are integrated, they sould make it in the same version not to confuse people.

So, we have Windows 7 = NT 6.1, Windows Mobile 6.1 = CE 5.2,
tricky logic, very tricky :P... (Read the rest); Posted by: Omega Master Posted on: 12/29/08 You are currently: Logged In as: a Guest | Login | Terms of Use

Windows 7 - Which Version? spacecase2 | 12/27/08

You are truely pathetic. ye | 12/27/08

Vaio same price as Mac Book pro? eggmanbubbagee@... | 12/27/08

HP manufactures the Vaio? GuidingLight | 12/27/08

Vaio is way cheaper than a Macbook Euphemism | 12/27/08

So what your VAIO sucks for one reason. *NEW* studentrightsx | 12/28/08

OS X is no luxury vehicle *NEW* eggmanbubbagee@... | 12/28/08

Car analogy? *NEW* herbys67 | 12/28/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.08121 *NEW* hartley.ra@... | 12/27/08

can you tell me the MD5 hash of Win7 .ISO file? *NEW* qmlscycrajg | 12/27/08

32-bit *NEW* Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

| 12/27/08

Santa's response *NEW* rseiler | 12/27/08

Santa told me that this is indeed ... *NEW* Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

| 12/27/08

Where did you download it from? *NEW* shellcodes_coder | 12/28/08

Thanks for Explaining Numbers.... *NEW* VONDRASHEK@... | 12/27/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* KimTjik | 12/27/08

Luckily my MCSEs worked the holiday.... *NEW* Mike Cox | 12/27/08

Not only that... *NEW* MGP2 | 12/27/08

workers must be angry. *NEW* ellmondo | 12/27/08

Of course, your just kidding around. right? *NEW* hartley.ra@... | 12/27/08

Well it looks like you reeled in a couple.. *NEW* JCitizen | 12/28/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* Motordude57 | 12/27/08

Likely, about the same *NEW* herbys67 | 12/28/08

what hardware have you installed it on? *NEW* james.faction | 12/27/08

um *NEW* ellmondo | 12/27/08

Celeron?!! *NEW* hartley.ra@... | 12/27/08

celeron yikes *NEW* jimk_z | 12/27/08

One Core of a Dual Core Pentium *NEW* daengbo | 12/27/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* Omega Master | 12/27/08

Actually......... *NEW* Master Guru | 12/27/08

Actually *NEW* Omega Master | 12/28/08

Are you Serious??? *NEW* anomalz | 12/27/08

You would think... *NEW* ShadowGIATL | 12/27/08

Windows vs Linux&Unix *NEW* Omega Master | 12/28/08

Ummm *NEW* ShadowGIATL | 12/29/08

Numbers *NEW* Omega Master | 12/29/08

Serious *NEW* Omega Master | 12/28/08

Help! Production problem!!! *NEW* Mike Cox | 12/27/08

Hmmm. *NEW* ShadowGIATL | 12/27/08

Awp! One more! *NEW* JCitizen | 12/28/08

Nah *NEW* ShadowGIATL | 12/29/08

Brave new build *NEW* Chad_z | 12/27/08

Re: Brave new build *NEW* jruhnke@... | 12/27/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* jimk_z | 12/27/08

In all seriousness... *NEW* Mike Cox | 12/27/08

really? *NEW* anomalz | 12/27/08

...you're a fake... *NEW* Wolfie2K3 | 12/27/08

Funny... *NEW* ShadowGIATL | 12/27/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* Nookhoek | 12/27/08

Given what we know about it already... *NEW* Wolfie2K3 | 12/27/08

I'LL STICK WITH XP. *NEW* jack of daniels | 12/28/08

I'LL STICK WITH MY OX CARRIAGE. *NEW* Johniunhenjkhewtsw | 12/28/08

HA!..LOL!...:O (NT) *NEW* JCitizen | 12/28/08

wow *NEW* sharp65 | 12/28/08

You ignorant moron *NEW* shellcodes_coder | 12/28/08

We at the ABM consortium . . . *NEW* eggmanbubbagee@... | 12/28/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* spraveenitpro | 12/28/08

Why would you upgrade... *NEW* Sleeper Service | 12/28/08

Thanks for the proof *NEW* rtk | 12/28/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* Jeffqmc | 12/28/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* thenewguy101 | 12/28/08

How to kill MS *NEW* thenewguy101 | 12/28/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) *NEW* truthy | 12/28/08

RE: First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.08121 *NEW* Gerald Shields | 12/28/08

What do you think?

6 Trackbacks

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Linkpost | 12.28.2008
• First look at Windows 7 beta 1 Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes thinks it's so solid, it'll be out in mid-2009. • Rumor: three options for upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 ...
Trackback by techblog — December 27, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
Windows 7 Beta 1 (Build 7000) Leaked On BitTorrent [Windows 7]
Update: ZDNet also has a look at the beta over here, and they concur that it's pretty good: # This beta is of excellent quality.
Trackback by Anonymous — December 28, 2008 @ 3:19 am
Windows 7 Beta ISO Leaked
I know I’m not the only one who has not hopped on the Vista bandwagon - I’m happily using Windows XP SP3. Well, for those of you who have been anxiously awaiting a beta of the upcoming Windows 7, an ISO has been leaked so you don’t even ...
Trackback by Guys Upstairs - Tech — December 28, 2008 @ 6:56 am
First look at Windows 7 beta 1
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes got copy of Windows 7 beta 1 in my stocking for Christmas Day. This beta (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) should be the first and only beta from Microsoft of Windows 7, and he reports that its a good one. ...
Trackback by nerdd.net — December 28, 2008 @ 8:23 am
How will Snow Leopard compare with Windows 7?
Comparing apples and oranges?
Trackback by macosx.com — December 28, 2008 @ 10:42 am
Spojrzenie na W7 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400
Na blogu Adriana Kingsley-Hughes'a w ZDNet znajduje się wiadomość z galerią Windows 7 wersji 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400 pt First look at Windows 7 beta 1 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400)
Trackback by IT Info — December 28, 2008 @ 11:15 am