Microsoft to apply 3-app limit on Win 7 Starter?
The changes should also let users of the simplest Windows 7 build also change their desktop background, a feature that also wasn't an option in the past.
Why Microsoft would loosen its restrictions isn't mentioned in the seeming leak but may have its roots in the company's desire to maintain the control it recently gained of the netbook market. It won the market largely by heavily discounting Windows XP, eliminating most of the Linux cost advantage. Imposing major limits on the software bears the risk of steering some netbook buyers towards Linux, where those limits don't exist. Newer Linux variants like Ubuntu Netbook Remix are tailored just for the ultra-small computers.
Windows 7 Starter will nonetheless maintain some important restrictions, such as the absence of interface elements that require Aero Glass (such as "peek") and touchscreen support; as such, it's likely to increase the cost of convertible tablet netbooks and others with built-in touch.
Microsoft hasn't commented on the accuracy of the report.
Microsoft urges companies to dump Windows XP - 09/19/2011 10:09 AM
In an new post on the official Windows blog site, Microsoft's Stephen L Rose stated that there are two big reasons for leaving Windows XP behind. One of them is, of course, the fact that there is a ne...
Microsoft shows off Windows 8 preview - 09/14/2011 10:04 AM
Microsoft presented a developer preview of Windows 8 at its BUILD conference in Los Angeles. The company demonstrates the new Metro user interface, Internet Explorer 10, new touch features and many ot...
Microsoft adds RAW preview support to Windows 7 - 07/28/2011 10:04 AM
After a quick codec pack download, those of you running Windows 7 or Vista should be able to preview RAW files straight from Windows Explorer, without having to use third-party tools like Adobe Bridge...
AMD Bulldozer APU could Power Microsoft's Next Xbox Console - 07/22/2011 10:43 AM
Accriding to a rumor on the web Microsoft's next-generation Xbox gaming console might be powered by an AMD-designed accelerated processing unit that is based on the Bulldozer architecture, according t...
Microsoft reveals 128-bit AES encryption based wireless keyboard - 06/07/2011 09:04 AM
Mircosoft announced the Wireless Desktop 2000, a new wireless keyboard that protects your keystrokes with AES 128-bit encryption. The unit will be available within about a month for roughly $40. The e...