Windows Longhorn: a first look inside the new OS
Published: 28 Apr 2005
This week in Seattle, Microsoft previewed the next generation in Windows, code-named Longhorn. We have taken a long, hard look at preview code for this new 64-bit operating system, due out late next year. The images presented here are your chance to see what Microsoft has in mind. Also, check out our recent progress report on Longhorn.
Better views
Longhorn's enhanced graphics engine, Avalon, renders complex images with far more detail than before, producing photo-quality wallpaper for your desktop.
The familiar Start menu remains
The familiar Start menu, very similar to that found in Windows XP, returns in Longhorn. Apart from a new overall look and feel, Longhorn's real changes are inside the operating system: 64-bit addressable memory, searchable file metadata and improved graphics capabilities.
New accounting principles
Like XP, Longhorn allows multiple users of a single system to have individual accounts. Users can create or change their own passwords and decide whether or to share files with others.
Enhancing security
An important security change within Longhorn will be a shift away from the Administrator as default. Every user will need to create an account, and those requiring Administrator access will need to log in separately. With Windows XP, the default user is Administrator, and this has given criminal hackers powerful privileges with which to take remote control of Windows XP machines.
A handier toolbox
The new control panel groups familiar tools for easier access. Longhorn uses a Web-like directory structure, with the main category in bold and the individual tools listed below.
Familiar desktop environment with more granularity
As with Windows XP, if you long for familiar screens, they're still there within Longhorn. Here's the Classic Control Panel. Note how much more detail about each task is available in this updated view.
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Related articles
Windows Longhorn: a progress report
Preview It won't be available until late 2006, but Microsoft is beginning to turn up the heat on Windows Longhorn. Here's the current state of play. [18 Apr 2005]
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7 comments
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windows media player... not windows media center. a b c -
""Longhorn's enhanced graphics engine, Avalon, ren... Anonymous
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Well, Anonymous, you are a cynical bathtub -... MH -
hehehehe this is pretty funny ,, so the quest... Anonymous
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All of those are good points, & plus Doe... Olean -
Sounds Sooooo exciting - NOT, I`ll stay on th... Anonymous
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Mr. Health Informatics Officer, you seem to b... Anonymous
