List of features removed in Windows 7

Last updated

While Windows 7 contains many new features, a number of capabilities and certain programs that were a part of previous Windows versions up to Windows Vista were removed or changed.

Contents

The following is a list of features that were present in Windows Vista and earlier versions but were removed in Windows 7.

Windows shell

Windows Explorer

Taskbar

Start menu

Windows Search features

Other Shell features

Personalization

Sample content

Windows Media Player features

Internet Explorer features

Applications replaced by Windows Live counterparts

Other Windows applications and features

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows Media Player</span> Media player and media library application by Microsoft

Windows Media Player is the first media player and media library application that Microsoft developed to play audio and video on personal computers. It has been a component of the Microsoft Windows operating system, including Windows 9x, Windows NT, Pocket PC, and Windows Mobile. Microsoft also released editions of Windows Media Player for classic Mac OS, Mac OS X, and Solaris, but has since discontinued them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">File Explorer</span> File manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system

File Explorer, previously known as Windows Explorer, is a file manager application and default desktop environment that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It provides a graphical user interface for accessing the file systems, as well as user interface elements such as the taskbar and desktop.

The taskbar is a graphical user interface element that has been part of Microsoft Windows since Windows 95, displaying and facilitating switching between running programs. The taskbar and the associated Start Menu were created and named in 1993 by Daniel Oran, a program manager at Microsoft who had previously collaborated on great ape language research with the behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner at Harvard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows key</span> Keyboard key

The Windows key is a keyboard key which was originally introduced on Microsoft's Natural Keyboard in 1994. Windows 95 used it to bring up the start menu and it then became a standard key on PC keyboards. Ctrl+Esc performs the same function, in case the keyboard lacks this key.

In computing, a file shortcut is a handle in a user interface that allows the user to find a file or resource located in a different directory or folder from the place where the shortcut is located. Similarly, an Internet shortcut allows the user to open a page, file or resource located at a remote Internet location or Web site.

The Start menu is a graphical user interface element that has been part of Microsoft Windows since Windows 95, providing a means of opening programs and performing other functions in the Windows shell. The Start menu, and the Taskbar on which it appears, were created and named in 1993 by Daniel Oran, a program manager at Microsoft who had previously collaborated on great ape language research with the behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner at Harvard.

In computing, a virtual folder generally denotes an organizing principle for files that is not dependent on location in a hierarchical directory tree. Instead, it consists of software that coalesces results from a data store, which may be a database or a custom index, and presents them visually in the format in which folder views are presented. A virtual folder can be thought of as a view that lists all files tagged with a certain tag, and thus a simulation of a folder whose dynamic contents can be assembled on the fly, when requested. It is related in concept to several other topics in computer science, with names including saved search, saved query, and filtering.

As the next version of Windows NT after Windows 2000, as well as the successor to Windows Me, Windows XP introduced many new features but it also removed some others.

Compared with previous versions of Microsoft Windows, features new to Windows Vista are numerous, covering most aspects of the operating system, including additional management features, new aspects of security and safety, new I/O technologies, new networking features, and new technical features. Windows Vista also removed some others.

The Windows shell is the graphical user interface for the Microsoft Windows operating system. Its readily identifiable elements consist of the desktop, the taskbar, the Start menu, the task switcher and the AutoPlay feature. On some versions of Windows, it also includes Flip 3D and the charms. In Windows 10, the Windows Shell Experience Host interface drives visuals like the Start Menu, Action Center, Taskbar, and Task View/Timeline. However, the Windows shell also implements a shell namespace that enables computer programs running on Windows to access the computer's resources via the hierarchy of shell objects. "Desktop" is the top object of the hierarchy; below it there are a number of files and folders stored on the disk, as well as a number of special folders whose contents are either virtual or dynamically created. Recycle Bin, Libraries, Control Panel, This PC and Network are examples of such shell objects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft PowerToys</span> Set of freeware system utilities developed by Microsoft

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities designed for power users developed by Microsoft for use on the Windows operating system. These programs add or change features to maximize productivity or add more customization. PowerToys are available for Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10 and Windows 11. The PowerToys for Windows 10 and Windows 11 are free and open-source software licensed under the MIT License and hosted on GitHub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trash (computing)</span> Temporary storage for deleted files

In computing, the trash, also known by other names such as dustbin, wastebasket, and others, is a graphical user interface desktop metaphor for temporary storage for files set aside by the user for deletion, but not yet permanently erased. The concept and name is part of Mac operating systems, a similar implementation is called the Recycle Bin in Microsoft Windows, and other operating systems use other names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows Search</span> Desktop search platform by Microsoft

Windows Search is a content index and desktop search platform by Microsoft introduced in Windows Vista as a replacement for the previous Indexing Service of Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, designed to facilitate local and remote queries for files and non-file items in the Windows Shell and in compatible applications. It was developed after the postponement of WinFS and introduced to Windows several benefits of that platform.

Some of the new features included in Windows 7 are advancements in touch, speech and handwriting recognition, support for virtual hard disks, support for additional file formats, improved performance on multi-core processors, improved boot performance, and kernel improvements.

The transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8 introduced a number of new features across various aspects of the operating system. These include a greater focus on optimizing the operating system for touchscreen-based devices and cloud computing.

Windows 11 is the current major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. Released on October 5, 2021, Windows 11 succeeds the previous major release, Windows 10.

References

  1. "Sort/Group bar has been banished from every view except Details view". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  2. "Disable Auto Arrange in folder view, not available in W7". May 2009. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  3. "How to manually arrange folders in windows 7". Archived from the original on 2010-03-05. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  4. "Classic Shell: Codeproject.com". 29 November 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-12-04. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  5. Disable Full Row Select: Keith's Windows Stuff Archived 2010-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Adding Explorer Bars". Archived from the original on 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
  7. "Is Remember each folder's view settings functionality gone for good?". Archived from the original on 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
  8. "Has the implementation of the 32-bit Windows Explorer changed in the RC?". Archived from the original on 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2010-04-22.
  9. "Windows Browse and Organize Features: Windows 7 Technical Library". 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2017-08-26. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  10. "SysExporter incompatibility with Windows 7 Explorer". Archived from the original on 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  11. "IFolderViewOptions Interface". Archived from the original on 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  12. "The "select" event system sound does not play when a file or folder is selected". Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  13. 1 2 Description of Simple Folder View in Windows XP
  14. 1 2 "Change folder views and behavior". Archived from the original on 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  15. "Why Windows 7 did not have a different icon for share folder?: Technet Forums". Archived from the original on 2009-11-03. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
  16. "Error message when you start a Windows Vista-based computer: "Windows has blocked some startup programs"". Archived from the original on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  17. "What happened to the Group by, Sort by, Stack by Column Header Context Menu?". Archived from the original on 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  18. "Notification Area Guidelines: MSDN". Archived from the original on 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  19. "What happened to the Quick Launch toolbar?". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  20. Heddings, Lowell. "Add the Quick Launch Bar to the Taskbar in Windows 7". How-To-Geek. Archived from the original on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  21. "Quick Launch bar in Windows 7 keeps disappearing after every restart". Archived from the original on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  22. "A toolbar disappears from the task bar. (Quick launch toolbar)". Archived from the original on 2010-12-21. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  23. "Quick launch disappears after restart". Archived from the original on 2010-12-22. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  24. "How to Change the Behavior of Taskbar Grouping". Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  25. "Windows Vista User Experience Walkthrough Guide". Microsoft. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  26. "How To Prevent a Program from Being Displayed in the Most Frequently Used Programs List in Windows XP". Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  27. Shultz, Greg (January 6, 2011). "Create your own Classic Start menu in Windows 7". TechRepublic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  28. "Availability of the Windows Desktop Search add-in for Files on Microsoft Networks". Archived from the original on 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  29. "System.SharingStatus". MSDN . Microsoft. January 7, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  30. "System.IsShared". MSDN . Microsoft. January 7, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  31. "System.SharedWith". MSDN . Microsoft. January 7, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  32. "Update to the AutoPlay functionality in Windows". Microsoft. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original on August 29, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  33. "Rich Saved Games (Vista Only)". MSDN . Microsoft. September 10, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  34. Protalinski, Emil (2009-03-16). "Side by side: UI changes from Windows 7 beta to build 7057". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  35. "Engineering Changes to ClearType in Windows 7". Archived from the original on 2010-01-25. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  36. "Lock The Screen While in Full-Screen Mode in Windows Media Player". Archived from the original on 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  37. ""Open these the next time I use Internet Explorer" no longer an option in IE 8". Archived from the original on 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2011-07-08.
  38. "Address Bar Improvements in Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1". Archived from the original on 2010-01-24. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  39. ""Apply Property Error" occurs when attempting to modify either the Ratings, Description or Notes fields of a Favorite shortcut on Windows 7 with either Internet Explorer 8 or 9". Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  40. LeBlanc, Brandon (2008-10-28). "The Complete Windows Experience – Windows 7 + Windows Live". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  41. Perez, Sarah (2009-02-10). "Miss the Old Movie Maker? Get it Back on Windows 7". Channel 9. Microsoft Developer Network. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  42. "Windows 7 Parental Controls Changes Overview". Archived from the original on 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  43. "Changes to Package Caching in Windows Installer 5.0". Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2013-01-27.
  44. "Transient Multimon Manager (TMM): MSDN". Archived from the original on 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  45. "Improvements to Remote Assistance in Windows 7". Archived from the original on 2015-11-15. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
  46. "Why doesn't windows 7 Remote Assistance support sharing clipboard and file transfer? Are there any work arrounds? [sic]". Windows Client TechCenter > Windows 7 IT Pro Forums > Windows 7 Networking. Microsoft TechNet Social. 2010-12-10. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
  47. "How to change the location of the CSC folder by configuring the CacheLocation registry value in Windows Vista". Archived from the original on 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  48. "How to Move Offline Files Cache in Windows 7?". Windows Client TechCenter > Windows 7 IT Pro Forums > Windows 7 Networking. Microsoft TechNet Social. 2009-08-08. Archived from the original on 2011-10-28. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  49. "Moving offline files cache". Windows 7 IT Pro Forums > Windows 7 Networking. Microsoft TechNet Social. 2009-02-02. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  50. "How to move the client-side caching (CSC) folder to a new location in Windows Vista". Archived from the original on 2021-04-02. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  51. "How to Change the Location of Client-Side Cache in Windows 2000". Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  52. "A Windows Vista-based client computer does not participate in the replication process if you add the client computer to a DFS Replication service group by using the DFS Management snap-in on a Windows Server 2003 R2-based computer". Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  53. "UnlockThis! Windows Vista Benchmarking tool". Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  54. Thurrott, Paul (12 November 2008). "Windows 7 feature focus". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  55. Morgan, Suzanne (2008). Storage Networking Platform Features in Windows 7/Server 2008 R2. Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2008. Microsoft. p. 7. Archived from the original (.pptx, 5.47 MB) on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  56. "Windows 7 – Where is Windows Meeting Space?". Computersplace.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  57. "Tinker and Hold 'Em are coming to Games for Windows!". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 8 December 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  58. "Microsoft Agent home page". Microsoft. 2009-01-05. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  59. "Determining Your Application Control Objectives". 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  60. "Removal of Windows Registry Reflection". Microsoft Developer Network. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  61. "Windows 7 Home Premium network backup". Windows Client TechCenter > Windows 7 IT Pro Forums > Windows 7 Installation, Setup, and Deployment. Microsoft TechNet Social. 2009-10-28. Archived from the original on 2011-12-03. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  62. "What happened to Windows Import Video?". Windows.microsoft.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2014-05-04.