Going from Win XP to Win 7

[Slasher]

Hi

The time has come to find a replacement for my old, yet once very loyal, Win XP computer which is slowly dying.

If I go for a Win 7 computer what should i look out for and what should I expect regarding AGS?

Cheers

[Gurok]

Nothing.

There should be no major differences in the way AGS operates. It's Windows 7 compatible. You *might* run into some permissions issues if you're running it with an underprivileged account. That's about all I can think of.

The biggest changes you should expect are in Windows Explorer, which IMHO got a bit of a downgrade in usability going from Win XP -> 7.

[Fitz]

You *might* run into some permissions issues if you're running it with an underprivileged account.

That's what happened to me when I transitioned from XP to Win7. I'm no expert, but since I'm the only user on this computer, I'd assume I'm the admin -- but nope, AGS would not let me save my project, because I'm obviously just this guy who's been granted limited license to use this PC by the almighty Skynet The quick fix was to install AGS away from the system folders (it's placed in Program Filex x86 by default). Haven't had any issues since (knock on wood).

[Ghost]

Nothing.

Aye. The worst that'll happen is your nice Aero resetting to non-Aero each time you run an AGS game. It's cool. AGS is surprisingly future-safe.

[ThreeOhFour]

One thing to be aware of is that Windows 7 sometimes doesn't play nicely with the DirectDraw driver AGS uses. It seems completely random whether it works or not, perhaps having to do with the hardware being used, but if you do run into the issue, you can easily solve if by changing your graphics driver settings in Winsetupt (or in game settings for your own projects) from DirectDraw 5 to Direct3D 9.

There is apparently a fix for this, but I've never tried it, so I'm unsure about it. I've never had a problem on any Win7 machines myself, but I know others who have.

[monkey0506]

Gurok, I'm curious what features from Windows XP's Explorer are missing in 7. Really the biggest thing that I felt was missing from XP was Libraries (though I know realize I could have used symlinks to the same end), but 7 is actually very nice to use when you're used to it.

And Fitz, you could unlock the hidden Administrator account. It gets rid of a lot of permission issues. The fact that programs can't write to the Program Files folder is kind of absurd. At the very least they could take the route that Google has now gone with Android and allow programs unfettered access to their own file folder.

[Gurok]

monkey_05_06:
- The toolbar isn't user customisable and the command bar requires resource hacking to customise. Not to mention, it's enormous
- The status bar no longer displays the size of a selected file
- When a file is renamed, it gets arranged in the file list immediately. It's arguable that this is better, but I think such arguments are ridiculous. It breaks a golden rule of UI design (external locus of control)
- Individual window sizes / positions are not remembered
- explorer /e,/root,C:\ doesn't give you an Explorer with a root of C (it just adds C:\ to the shell namespace list or whatever they call special desktop items)
- The folder pane is weird. I can't describe it, but folders don't get selected, scrolling doesn't follow the same behaviour as the XP version

There are a couple of things I've been able to get used to. e.g. Backspace used to mean up, but now you need to hit Alt+Up. Backspace goes back. Not such a huge issue because the two functions are quite similar in most circumstances. With Windows XP, I used have a toolbar layout on a single line with menus, up button, folder pane toolbar button, and address bar. It was slim, elegant and functional. Windows 8 isn't so bad because the ribbon can be minimised, but I hate how much screen real estate you lose under 7. XP explorer was still the best by miles though. Even if it's just for the renaming functionality, which is a major productivity loss for me.

And sure, feel free to pick at these and say that some are just things I'm used to. I accept that in the case of things like the folder pane, I'm just accustomed to how XP worked, but I honestly think it was better. Windows XP's file copy dialogues were also far more productive for me. Note that I'm not complaining about things like libraries, which are obvious improvements. Though I can't really think of any others. I used to use the SysInternals hard linking extensions under Windows XP.

[Cassiebsg]

Hadn't even realized that there were differences to WinExplorer... maybe cause I avoid it like the plague? Only ever use it, when a program insists in using it, and does not let me drag and drop the files from my favorite prog. (WinCommander)