Win-7 How Easy Is Customizing

[Tecknomage]

How easy is customizing Win-7?

I'm running WinXP Pro SP3 now and it is VERY customized as to look and
feel.

Example, my [Start] menu.

C:\Documents and Settings\user-name\Start Menu

Has many folders like \Start Menu\Games, \Start Menu\OnLine, and more

(I have NEVER like Microsoft forcing use of \Start Menu\Programs)

In my added [Start] menus/folders, I have ONLY what is needed to start
applications or supporting documents.

I normally copy the installed \Programs\app-folder created by
installers to the app's home folder in a folder \Smenu, so I have what
was originally installed under \Programs.

Also, I use EVERYTHING in Classic Mode. Classic [Start], Explorer
window view, Control Panel view, etc.

I WANT MENU BARS! Also, I do not like eye-candy, things that just
look pretty but have no real function (like the Explorer Sidebar).

From what I know from users who have tried Win-7 RC that some of my
requirements cannot be done in Win-7. Example, no Classic [Start]
option.

Another question. Is Win-7 file structure like Vista?
Example, no C:\Documents and Settings


I work at a company that is a DoD sub-contractor, and we *were*
testing Vista. We HAVE (to comply with MilSpec) to customize many
things that are in C:\Documents and Settings in WinXP. I had a hell
of a time locating where the setting were in Vista. Also one *MilSpec
requirement* I could not find how to do, the *classic* WinXP/NT
[Ctrl][Alt][Del] Logon Dialog. We have stopped researching Vista
because the DoD is going to use Win-7 *after* it passes MilSpec test
requirements (which could take more that a year going by past
history). Vista has not been MilSpec approved for our use. Note, that
MilSpec approval is separate issue from DoD approval (Vista\Win-7
approved for DoD office desktops, etc).


So my questions about Win-7 are not *just* personal.

 

[Tom Willett]

Windows 7 forums
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro/

: How easy is customizing Win-7?
:
: I'm running WinXP Pro SP3 now and it is VERY customized as to look and
: feel.
:
: Example, my [Start] menu.
:
: C:\Documents and Settings\user-name\Start Menu
:
: Has many folders like \Start Menu\Games, \Start Menu\OnLine, and more
:
: (I have NEVER like Microsoft forcing use of \Start Menu\Programs)
:
: In my added [Start] menus/folders, I have ONLY what is needed to start
: applications or supporting documents.
:
: I normally copy the installed \Programs\app-folder created by
: installers to the app's home folder in a folder \Smenu, so I have what
: was originally installed under \Programs.
:
: Also, I use EVERYTHING in Classic Mode. Classic [Start], Explorer
: window view, Control Panel view, etc.
:
: I WANT MENU BARS! Also, I do not like eye-candy, things that just
: look pretty but have no real function (like the Explorer Sidebar).
:
: From what I know from users who have tried Win-7 RC that some of my
: requirements cannot be done in Win-7. Example, no Classic [Start]
: option.
:
: Another question. Is Win-7 file structure like Vista?
: Example, no C:\Documents and Settings
:
:
: I work at a company that is a DoD sub-contractor, and we *were*
: testing Vista. We HAVE (to comply with MilSpec) to customize many
: things that are in C:\Documents and Settings in WinXP. I had a hell
: of a time locating where the setting were in Vista. Also one *MilSpec
: requirement* I could not find how to do, the *classic* WinXP/NT
: [Ctrl][Alt][Del] Logon Dialog. We have stopped researching Vista
: because the DoD is going to use Win-7 *after* it passes MilSpec test
: requirements (which could take more that a year going by past
: history). Vista has not been MilSpec approved for our use. Note, that
: MilSpec approval is separate issue from DoD approval (Vista\Win-7
: approved for DoD office desktops, etc).
:
:
: So my questions about Win-7 are not *just* personal.
:
:
:
:
:
: --
: ======== Tecknomage ========
: Computer Systems Specialist
: IT Technician
: San Diego, CA

 

[Shenan Stanley]

How easy is customizing Win-7?

I'm running WinXP Pro SP3 now and it is VERY customized as to look and
feel.

Example, my [Start] menu.

C:\Documents and Settings\user-name\Start Menu

Has many folders like \Start Menu\Games, \Start Menu\OnLine, and more

(I have NEVER like Microsoft forcing use of \Start Menu\Programs)

In my added [Start] menus/folders, I have ONLY what is needed to start
applications or supporting documents.

I normally copy the installed \Programs\app-folder created by
installers to the app's home folder in a folder \Smenu, so I have what
was originally installed under \Programs.

Also, I use EVERYTHING in Classic Mode. Classic [Start], Explorer
window view, Control Panel view, etc.

I WANT MENU BARS! Also, I do not like eye-candy, things that just
look pretty but have no real function (like the Explorer Sidebar).

From what I know from users who have tried Win-7 RC that some of my
requirements cannot be done in Win-7. Example, no Classic [Start]
option.

Another question. Is Win-7 file structure like Vista?
Example, no C:\Documents and Settings


I work at a company that is a DoD sub-contractor, and we *were*
testing Vista. We HAVE (to comply with MilSpec) to customize many
things that are in C:\Documents and Settings in WinXP. I had a hell
of a time locating where the setting were in Vista. Also one *MilSpec
requirement* I could not find how to do, the *classic* WinXP/NT
[Ctrl][Alt][Del] Logon Dialog. We have stopped researching Vista
because the DoD is going to use Win-7 *after* it passes MilSpec test
requirements (which could take more that a year going by past
history). Vista has not been MilSpec approved for our use. Note, that
MilSpec approval is separate issue from DoD approval (Vista\Win-7
approved for DoD office desktops, etc).


So my questions about Win-7 are not *just* personal.

Same difference.

Some of what you are calling 'customized' - I'd call 'folder organization'.
;-)

As far as 'menu bars' - you could turn them on/off in Vista - Windows 7 is
no different and pressing "ALT" in most programs will temporarily show them.
They are fading more and more from view - that's just reality.

Documents and Settings - that is mostly gone. You have a Users folder now.

The gadgets/etc are turned off by default in the Enterprise edition at
least.

You'll need Enterprise/Professional (I'd assume Ultimate would do it to) for
some of the things you want.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unless and until MS makes Win7-specific newsgroups available, you'll have
seek support in the appropriate forum here:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/windows7

Or here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro/

 

[Tecknomage]

Windows 7 forums
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro/

Thanks for the link. I'll monitor this forum.

: How easy is customizing Win-7?
:
: I'm running WinXP Pro SP3 now and it is VERY customized as to look and
: feel.
:
: Example, my [Start] menu.
:
: C:\Documents and Settings\user-name\Start Menu
:
: Has many folders like \Start Menu\Games, \Start Menu\OnLine, and more
:
: (I have NEVER like Microsoft forcing use of \Start Menu\Programs)
:
: In my added [Start] menus/folders, I have ONLY what is needed to start
: applications or supporting documents.
:
: I normally copy the installed \Programs\app-folder created by
: installers to the app's home folder in a folder \Smenu, so I have what
: was originally installed under \Programs.
:
: Also, I use EVERYTHING in Classic Mode. Classic [Start], Explorer
: window view, Control Panel view, etc.
:
: I WANT MENU BARS! Also, I do not like eye-candy, things that just
: look pretty but have no real function (like the Explorer Sidebar).
:
: From what I know from users who have tried Win-7 RC that some of my
: requirements cannot be done in Win-7. Example, no Classic [Start]
: option.
:
: Another question. Is Win-7 file structure like Vista?
: Example, no C:\Documents and Settings
:
:
: I work at a company that is a DoD sub-contractor, and we *were*
: testing Vista. We HAVE (to comply with MilSpec) to customize many
: things that are in C:\Documents and Settings in WinXP. I had a hell
: of a time locating where the setting were in Vista. Also one *MilSpec
: requirement* I could not find how to do, the *classic* WinXP/NT
: [Ctrl][Alt][Del] Logon Dialog. We have stopped researching Vista
: because the DoD is going to use Win-7 *after* it passes MilSpec test
: requirements (which could take more that a year going by past
: history). Vista has not been MilSpec approved for our use. Note, that
: MilSpec approval is separate issue from DoD approval (Vista\Win-7
: approved for DoD office desktops, etc).
:
:
: So my questions about Win-7 are not *just* personal.
:
:
:
:
:
: --
: ======== Tecknomage ========
: Computer Systems Specialist
: IT Technician
: San Diego, CA