A new E7 post details more changes we will see in the Windows 7 Release Candidate. Discussed this time is the updated "Windows Features" Control Panel item that allows users to turn dozens of Windows Features on or off. New to Windows 7 is the ability to toggle Internet Explorer, Media Player, Media Center, DVD Maker, Windows Search, Gadgets, Fax and Scan, XPS Viewer and Handwriting Recgonition. Steven Sinfosky did not mention it directly but it is clear some of these changes were likely made to appease EU regulators.
“Turning Windows Features On or Off” has a long history in Windows, going back to the earliest days of the 32-bit code base. We’ve received a lot of suggestions about features that you would like to turn on or off using your own criteria for choice. For Windows 7 we’ve engineered a more significant list of features and worked to balance that list in light of the needs of the broad Windows platform as well. We want to provide choice while also making sure we do not compromise on compatibility by removing APIs provided for developers. We also want to strike the right balance for consumers in providing choice and balancing compatibility with applications and providing a consistent Windows experience.
