Since this is the week Windows 7 is getting released and I’m hosting a Windows 7 Party, I thought it would be great to share some of my favorite new features in Windows 7 with my readers.
Windows Update in Windows 7. Do you remember XP Windows Update? You always had to go through Internet Explorer and use an ActiveX applet to update. In Vista, you did have the wonderful client update system, but in Windows 7, Microsoft gave Update the power it deserves. Not only does Windows Update integrate with Windows-patches and updates, it also can update other Windows software such as Microsoft Office. Did I mention it’s not a browser-applet anymore?
Windows Update
Windows Update in Windows 7 is really incredible. Here’s the first reason. When you install your copy and it notices you have an internet connection, it will go out automatically and supply you with decent Windows drivers for most of your hardware. On laptops that I’ve installed on, it will see the Wireless network long before you see the desktop and it updates straight-away.
In Windows 7, you have two categories of updates. Critical, the updates you’ll install because they’re important and Optional, the updates you might want to install if they are useful. Well, sometimes the optional updates aren’t very useful, so it’d be nice to see no new optional updates in the Update window if you’re tired of them being there. Your wish has been answered! Right clicking on any optional update allows you to hide them.
You can see your update history easily and quickly. It’s nice to see when Microsoft sends something down the pipe you weren’t expecting or when there is a major patch Tuesday.
I hope you look forward to my next post about Windows 7. Have a good week!
