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Microsoft drops personalization from Windows 7 Starter, locks wallpaper
We already knew that Starter would be extremely feature-limited. How full an experience would you expect from an OS that can only run three programs at once?
Regardless, one feature has been crippled that has a lot of people confused. In Windows 7 Starter Edition, the personalization option on the context menu isn't available. Worse yet, users can't even change their wallpaper.
Granted, Starter is only available in emerging markets and will probably only be used on very low-cost PCs (like netbooks) on which OEMs still want to provide a taste of the "Windows 7 experience." Taking that into consideration, letting manufacturers lock users into an OEM-branded wallpaper almost makes sense. Almost.
A little bit of permanent advertising in exchange for dropping the one desktop customization nearly every user wants to use seems like a poor trade-off.
We should remember that all Windows 7 versions are still in beta testing and we don't know for sure what Microsoft's plans for the RTM will be. With all the ruckus the Starter wallpaper lockdown has created, Microsoft will have to either make it customizable or stick to their guns and tell us all that personalization was never part of the plan for the most limited feature-limited version of Windows 7.
Fear not, future Starter Edition users. Rafael Rivera has already figured out how to circumvent the lock.
Comments
27
Subscribe to commentsgonintendoMar 29th 2009 12:14PM
[insert angry geek rant here]
r3loadedMar 29th 2009 12:51PM
Didn't Paul mention that this was a quirk specific to this build?
Lee MathewsMar 29th 2009 1:05PM
Dropping an entire option from the context menu is a bit more than a "quirk," don't you think?
The desktop.ini issue with 7057 - THAT was a quirk.
BrianMar 29th 2009 1:09PM
Microsoft: This isn't just "lacking" a feature. This is punishment for having the starter edition. This is bullshit that needs to be changed.
babyfacedkayosMar 29th 2009 1:16PM
It works for a YEAR?!?!
really?
Zachary WaldowskiMar 29th 2009 1:29PM
It does, for now. All builds up to 7048 say they expire in August. Every build 7048 and newer says it expires in 2010. 7068 (the newest leak) has no expiration date.
Lee MathewsMar 29th 2009 1:31PM
The Windows script host reports June 2, 2010.
http://www.intowindows.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/3.jpg
a|e§Apr 3rd 2009 9:38AM
Ridicolous.
Dr. Mike WendellMar 29th 2009 1:53PM
I can see it if changing the wallpaper had previously led to issues with locked up computers and folks having to reinstall Windows. Locking out new users from doing something stupid that would harm their computer in understandable.
But we're talking about changing the bloody wallpaper. I don't recall ever having to do a reinstall because I wanted to change my desktop.
NinjaOptimusMar 29th 2009 2:04PM
Thats so lame. I mean M$ has been using lame tactics like other bigger corps to force user to pay more for a few 'luxurious services'. But this is just so ruthless. I can imagine different kind of free applications popping up all over th internet withtin the first month after they release win7. These apps will allow ppl to change their wallpaper to anything regardless of their windows7 version / type. This is what actually created all these cracking groups and underground scenes. Well played Micro$**t
KeegdnaBMar 29th 2009 2:23PM
I actually understand the reasoning behind this. They're really only making the starter edition out of [a very small] demand for an absolute retardedly cheap version. OEMs will more than likely offer upgrade incentives out the whazoo so 99.9% of people will opt for home premium, but for the 0.1% who are just THAT cheap....they get what they pay for.
JasonMar 29th 2009 2:30PM
Who cares? Whose going to be using starter edition anyway? Surely no one reading this web site. Starter edition is for the netbooks for 3rd world countries.
RidgecityMar 29th 2009 4:40PM
Actually, Microsoft created Starter Editions after losing major lawsuits in Europe for their monopolistic editions that included everything as default.
SchmullusMar 29th 2009 6:57PM
I'm afraid you are incorrect. The European "stripped" versions that lacked stuff like Media Player were referred to as the "N' versions, as seen as an option on Pre-SP1 Vista install DVD's. The Starter Editions have always been for "emerging markets".
UzEEMar 29th 2009 5:13PM
While Microsoft is trimming features Apple is turning Macbooks into stoves http://thetechnopath.com/apple-macbooks-cook-eggs-literally/
jeffagainMar 29th 2009 5:48PM
wouldn't all these headaches be avoided by simply sticking with XP? Is there some problem with surfing the web and checking email and running dream weaver and photoshop etc etc. I udnerstand microsoft's motivations since they ould go out of business, but why are users so anxious to move from an OS that works to anything else??
n1ce_hatMar 29th 2009 7:25PM
Microsoft going out of business?
Revenge of the abacus!
MattMar 29th 2009 8:44PM
Does anyone really care if low-end laptops in third world countries can change their desktop wallpaper or not?
phezMar 29th 2009 8:54PM
Started edition is a godsend to IT specialists. Everything restricted from the getgo without having to rely on a 3rd party app? Or being significantly cheaper to license than the full versions - ie, great for businesses?
Lee MathewsMar 29th 2009 10:58PM
Too bad they won't be able to use it. It's not for enterprise use, or even for institutions (schools, libraries, etc). It's for emerging markets only.
Also, all regular versions of 7 are slated to have guest mode, which already makes system lockdown pretty dang simple.