Geoff Spick30 March 2009, 4:00 PM
A new build of Windows 7 leaked over the weekend, allow eager users to see the latest features as the OS approaches Release Candidate status
The latest test edition of Windows 7 has taken a few more steps towards completeness for the OS. This weekend's leak is available for both x86 and 64-bit versions from bittorrent sites and includes the option to install your preferred version of the OS, from Starter all the way up to Ultimate, with intermediate stops at Home Basic, Home Premium and Professional.
Pick a version, any version, you can even try the limited Starter Edition
Starter Edition has aroused a lot of passion, even from people who have no intention of using it. The limit of three applications being open at once is enforced and there is a bare minimum of desktop and media features, this really is a stripped down system, clearly intended to create "upsell", or whatever the term is, to a higher-powered edition.
The most notable inclusions are additional desktop content including new wallpapers and themes - take a sneak peak
here - , although not for anyone trying the Starter edition! Visual alterations include a new-look battery meter for laptops and a digital CPU-meter replacing the original dials. For the
most part though, it looks like the 'i's are being dotted and the 't's
crossed on Microsoft's bug and 'to do' list.
Windows 7 adds some character to its desktopWith little more than a month until the Release Candidate is out, the leaked versions are filling out nicely and stability seems to be improving with every turn. Will it appeal to those who struggled with Vista? That remains to be seen.