Like many people, I downloaded the Windows 7 "Release Candidate", and I have been running it for a few days now. I will now describe to you, Dear Reader, my initial impressions of Microsoft's newest operating system, as I did for Windows 7 beta. (drum roll please)
Let's get started: I opted to install the 32-bit version. I installed a “clean install”, though I could have “upgraded” an existing Vista or Windows 7 install (I recommend ‘clean install’ as a General Rule Of Thumb).
Microsoft is calling Windows 7 a whole new OS, and is expecting it to replace replace Vista.. in the same way that Vista is replacing Windows XP. I can tell you that it is not a whole new operating system. I can also tell you that it does not give us the new file system (WinFS) that was originally promised as one of the “three pillars of Vista”.
The install itself: My “clean” install on a freshly formatted volume took just 27 minutes, and involved three automated reboots. I then transferred in my settings tweaks and customizations, all my installed programs (except for my antivirus) and games, files and photos, etc., from the Win 7 beta in 20 minutes using Windows Easy Transfer.
It would have taken less time had I migrated the User Profile via my network, but I used a USB storage drive instead.
No device driver issues: I installed Windows 7 on a recent-vintage machine (it came with Vista Home Premium) and I had to install zero, zip, nada, device drivers — and this is a beta! Every device worked out of the gate. Microsoft claims Windows 7 is the most ‘backwards compatible’ OS yet and I believe them. A beta.. and no device driver installs??? Amazing.
In case you're not following along.. From inserting the CD, to a fully tweaked, loaded, and ready-to-go state in 47 minutes.. without the use of 3rd-party programs, tools or special cables. 
That is simply... OUTSTANDING! (Yes, I'm shouting.)
In my earlier series, (see link above) I wrote "My experience matched that of other reviewers: it was by far the fastest, smoothest, easiest Windows installation I’ve ever had. That this is a beta release makes this fact all the more remarkable."
The RC beat it handily .
Folks, I cannot count the number of Windows Installs, re-Installs, and User State Migrations I've done -- I am a Support & Repair Tech, after all -- but this last was something I had previously only dreamed of.
I'm going to stop here but I will add this statement -- I will delay buying my next computer until they come with Windows 7 on them; and I advise you to do the same if you can. (Can you tell I'm impressed?)
More Windows 7 RC "impressions" to come..
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