20 ideas for Windows 7, but will they really happen?

The latest topic of discussion among Microsoft lovers (and haters) is an Australian site’s article proposing 20 new features to be introduced when Windows 7 replaces Vista.

While the value of these ideas is pretty much down to personal taste, the real question is whether they’ll actually be adopted by Microsoft. Here’s my take on the gadgetzone list:

Likely

• A simplified UAC. This should be easy to pitch as a usability tweak rather than as correcting a blunder.
• A barebones kernel option to allow older machines to run the system. Microsoft has already talked about this, and it could capture the sector of the market which isn’t prepared to buy a new machine just for a new edition of Windows.

Possible

• A specific gaming mode. This shouldn’t be that difficult to build-in, and rebranding Windows 7 as a gaming-friendly system could be a good PR trick.
• Fewer different editions. This would fit with Microsoft’s ongoing process of reducing the range of licensing options for its products.
• Home licenses to cover multiple computers. This could be a good way to squeeze some extra cash out of people who’d otherwise be tempted to break copyright laws. However, the suggestion of a licence for five machines seems a little excessive.
• Getting manufacturers to develop drivers before Windows 7’s release. This might take some work, but would be worth it: device compatibility is probably going to come under intense security upon the system’s launch.
• A toolbox feature listing all drivers and patches in one location. Assuming Microsoft considers this idea, there seems no reason to reject it unless it proves unworkable.
• Restoration of the Windows system from an image. A good idea in theory, though if your computer is too wrecked for System Restore, Microsoft might not want to deter you from simply buying a new machine.
• Faster boot and shutdown. If it’s technically possible, this would be another obvious goal for overcoming Vista’s reputation legacy.
• Simpler control of start-up items. It should be fairly simple to produce a more user-friendly version of MSConfig (plenty of third-party software already does it), and it would definitely fit the Windows 7 ethos of tweaks rather than fundamental changes.

Unlikely

• An XP virtual machine to ensure backwards compatibility. It would make for a better product, but would Microsoft really risk ‘proving right’ the Vista detractors?
• A more productive GUI. With Windows 7 already pegged as a revamp rather than an entirely new product, this seems too much of a change.
• An improved file system such as the rumoured WINFS. Again, this seems too much of a major change for a system which will come in-between major relaunches.
• Making Internet Explorer 8 compliant with web standards. With IE still dominant, Microsoft likely still believes it calls the shots on the web.
• A notification when Windows caches software into RAM. For the majority of users this would simply cause confusion.
• Ditching plans for 32bit compatibility. Making Windows 7 a 64bit-only system might make technical sense, but Microsoft has already said that’s not on the cards.
• Improved disc-burning. It would be nice, but it won’t be a priority: with so many commercial software options available, Microsoft likely believes it won’t make any real difference to Windows 7 sales.
• Diagnostic tools. This is more of an option for computer experts, who are hardly Microsoft’s priority audience.

Uh-uh

• A modularised operating system. Microsoft doing anything to make its product more like Linux is likely a no-go.
• Customised installation. This doesn’t sound like the Microsoft way at all – Windows is pretty much an ‘as is’ product.

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• Microsoft offers new Vista enterprise licenses
• Transform any XP, Vista, Mac machine into a full Media Center PC
• Most businesses still downgrading Vista to XP
• The Windows 7 clean install survival guide
• Microsoft ready for 64-bit push