Windows Vista Team Blog : Windows Vista, Shell

Examples of Fit-and-Finish in Build 5728

Nick White — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 04:58:00 GMT

In Build 5728, we got to see examples of the kind of fit-and-finish the Windows Shell Team is making to Windows Vista as they progress toward RTM. I'd like to show you a few that I found. I imagine there is quite a bit more.

In “Computer”, you will notice that the “System Properties” and “Map Network Drive” icons have been changed from RC1.

The “Folder Options” dialog now has new icons instead of the old icons seen from Windows XP.

And when you access your user profile (“C:Users\<Your Name>”) you will notice new blue-style icons for the important system directories that are used to organize your data in your profile.

These are just a few examples and more to come as the Windows Shell Team is really working hard to make Windows Vista look stunning!

Putting the Final Touches on Windows Vista's "Fit-and-Finish"

Nick White — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:25:00 GMT

Over at the Windows Shell blog, Program Manager Vinny Pasceri explainsthe balance necessary to be struck in order to complete the UI polish, or "fit-and-finish", of Windows Vista's UI. Questions like "will it affect the user’s habits in a bad way?" must always be faced when changing any part of the user interface -- a UI to which Windows users have grown much accustomed.

Don Vronay, Research Manager for the Windows User Experience Compliance Team, is taking feedback on the "fit-and-finish" of Windows Vista. If you want to add your two cents to the on-going Windows Vista UI discussion, head over to their "Rants and Raves" forum and share your side of the story.

RC1 CPP Now Available to General Public

Nick White — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:00:00 GMT

A quick update on CPP status:

Windows Vista RC1 is now publicly available. This means that 32- and 64-bit downloads for all three languages (English, German, and Japanese) are live. If you did not receive and email in the previous wave, you can now both download the ISO image and request a product key (PID).

More importantly, how do I get access to the RC1 build? Go here.

Windows Client Team Launches the Windows Shell Blog

Nick White — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:42:00 GMT

The Windows Shell Team, responsible for Windows' core user interface, has launched a blog called shell: revealed. This new site has blogs from several team members and also includes galleries and a forum to discuss Windows shell-related topics, such as Windows Aero and organization.

If you are one of those who is concerned with the user interface in Windows, this blog is for you. Keep your eye out as the team has some cool things planned.