If you missed our coverage of Windows 7 launch party then you can’t afford to miss this one because you have a chance of winning Windows 7 Ultimate NFR (Not for Resale) worth $319.99 USD and there are absolutely no strings attached!

It’s the one that I got at the Launch Party. So what do you have to do to participate? It’s damn simple.

In Windows 7, you can share files on home network easily using Home Group but creating an FTP server gives you many benefits. The FTP can also be accessed by other Operating Systems in the network, You can also configure it to be accessed from anywhere through internet. In this short tutorial, I will guide you to make an FTP Server on Windows 7 for LAN.

Windows 7 Logon Background Changer is a free software that you can use to select from a list of images on your computer as logon screen backgrounds. The software works with both RTM and release candidate versions of Windows 7. Here is what you can do with the  software:

If you are getting your hands on Windows 7 development then Windows 7 Training Kit is must for you. Windows 7 Training Kit includes hands-on labs, presentations and demos that will help you to develop great applications for Windows 7 with full compatibility.

The training kit helps to utilize the following Windows 7 features:

Running Windows 7 without Aero is a turn off for those who are in love with it (like me). One of the PC’s I have is an old Acer Extensa notebook with 1.7 Ghz Pentium M processor, 1.5 GB RAM and GMA 900 graphics processor that has no support for Aero. For some reason, I use it but without the Aero, It isn't fun.

When home, I use that notebook through Remote Desktop to enjoy Aero with full visual effects. Here’s how:

Microsoft announced that it is bankrolling Windows 7 ‘E’ version (E stands for Europe) that was specially designed for the EU region after a suit was filed against the giant for monopolizing the market and killing competition by bundling it’s browser, Internet Explorer with every Windows installation. Win7 version E would rather ‘ask’ at the time of installation about which browser to install from the list of popular browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and others.

If you’re buying a new machine with Windows 7 preinstalled – which is pretty enough for home users though – but found out that your needs are outstripping the Windows Version you have, then you probably will go for an update. Microsoft calls it Windows Anytime Upgrade or WAU and the cost is significantly lower then buying a newer one altogether. 

Microsoft’s best operating system, Windows 7, has been finally Released To Manufacturing today. Built 7600 is declared to be RTM. Microsoft has also announced the RTM of Windows Server 2008 R2. 

According to Windows Team Blog:

The RTM code will be delivered to our partners within the next few days who will then start preparing to deliver some amazing new products timed to hit at General Availability (GA) of Windows 7 on October 22nd. And going forward, I expect to be showcasing MANY of these new products here on The Windows Blog.

Windows 7, A brand new OS made by Microsoft came into existence after eliminating  all the major bugs of  Windows Vista with lots of new features. One of the most attracting feature of Windows 7 is The Windows Sensor and Location platform which gave the technology a  new dimension. With the help of location sensors the Windows Sensor and Location platform enables computers and applications to locate the exact place of where they are and adapt to their current environment. Windows location sensor works on a couple of devices like GPS devices, WWAN radios, and even works with triangulation technology.Well, that’s all about the features of Windows Sensor and location Platform but now, lets get into detailed functionality of how it works.

A proof-of-concept security exploit in Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system has been released by Indian security researchers. The exploit has been named as VBootKit. The researchers had earlier promised that they would not make the exploit code public for fear of misuse.

VBootKit 2.0 was coded by researchers Nitin Kumar and Vipin Kumar; and the code is now available as open source for anyone who is interested to see how it works.

Windows 7 RC was made available for download to everyone by Microsoft on 5th May. I am using it’s 64 Bit Version and I am loving it. Its a great improvement in Windows OS and its the finest Windows operating system ever made by Microsoft. As many people are exploring about Windows 7, I have taken some screenshots and gathered some links that you may have been looking for:

If you are developing apps for Windows 7 and really interested in getting them done and luckily are located in or around sydney then here’s a chance for you to get a first hand 3 day training of Windows 7 at Sydney CBD April 28-30th

All you have to do is email Shuk Chan and see if they still have some space left for you.

Find the detailed schedule here

The .NET Library to program Windows 7 Taskbar’s coolness and abilities easily is out and has some nice samples that demonstrates how we program Windows 7 Taskbar for our applications. The sample library gives and overview of new Taskbar functionality and the Taskbar and Libraries Sample .NET Interop Library, which is a managed code wrapper and part of the Windows 7 .NET Interop Sample Libraries.

If you don’t know about the awesomeness of Windows 7 taskbar then, please watch Windows 7 Taskbar Overview webcast on Channel 9. The sample library has all the necessary code samples that one need to program the taskbar behavior. One of the showcase that is included in the sample demos exhibits the basic features.

Customized desktop can make you feel more personal. Themes option of Windows 7 provides  more personalization options than Vista and has impressive desktop experience.

Here are 4 free high quality Windows 7 themes that I have made for you. Download them, try them and provide your feedback.

Just run the files on Windows 7 after downloading to apply the theme.

I am greatly inspired by Windows 7 taskbar and was thinking if someone could make same look-alike navigation for a blog then it will be so cool. Fellow at Nikola blog has made this cool Windows 7 like taskbar button navigation control for a website in Silverlight that looks so cool(to me at least).

The source code is also available for download so if you want to put it in action in you blog’s navigation bar then it’s few steps away if you are good enough with Silverlight.

Windows 7 taskbar is specifically designed for ease of access for touch screen systems that will be common in future. The box containing each icon adapts the mouse over highlight color by judging the matching tone of icon’s dominating colors. This task bar look-alike isn’t intelligent enough to do the same automatically but there is guide to how to choose the right highlight color. 

Check out the demo here

Download the source code here