The recently released Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) has several improvements in its GUI. Many of these features have been discussed at length in several blogs. Among other things, there is a deafult option to stack all program tabs in the taskbar keeping it from running out of space. There is a mouse-over feature that shows a preview of that program and brings that program to the foreground when the mouse is moved over that preview.
Then there is one tiny feature in the Windows Explorer that should have been implemented long time ago, but its good to finally see it in this release.
Organize >> Folder and Search Options >> View >> Use Check boxes to select items
Windows Explorer Checkbox Option
Once that option is selected, a checkbox is displayed in front of the file each time the mouse hovers over it. This options overcomes the need to select individual files by keeping the ‘Control’ key press at all times.
Checkbox is displayed in front of file icon
This is one of the features I’d like to see ported over into Gnome for use in Linux distros.
I’m pretty sure this feature was also available in Vista as well. Personally, I don’t see the advantages of it vs. ctrl+click.
I skipped from XP to Win7 (beta) so my knowledge about Vista is next to nil. The only advantage of having a checkbox next to the icon is NOT having to hold down the control key when selecting multiple files.