Windows Thin PC

[A31]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterp ... hinpc.aspx

A bit like Windows FLP, only based on Windows 7 this time. I figured I'd give this a try as you can download a 30 day trial. It's basically a thinned out version of Windows 7 designed to run on holder hardware that cannot run the full Windows 7 we've been used to properly, so a bit like Windows FLP. I put this post in the Windows 7 forum as Thin PC is basically Windows 7.

I will be trying out Thin PC on the following system:
HP dx2200 MT
Pentium 4 HT 3.06GHz CPU
2GB DDR2 RAM
80GB Samsung SATA HDD
PNY GeForce 8400 GS 512MB PCI

This system was running Windows 7 Professional x64 from about June to December last year, it was my main machine before I built my new desktop I'm using now at the end of December last year. Although Windows 7 OK-ish, it was pretty slow on that single-core CPU (it was using a faster and bigger hard drive back when it was running Windows 7 than it is now to speed things up a bit), but I reckon Windows Thin PC will run fine on it. The HP is currently on Vista Ultimate 32-bit and it's even slower than 7 no surprise about that! Will post back on what Thin PC is like.

[BootSectorVirus]

What I have l;earned so far about using Thin PC.


Whats missing, (Obvious)

0. No 64bit version available,

1. No windows picture viewer, it opens MS paint when you select a image file.

2. No Windows System Restore or Backup of any kind, System Protection Tab is missing, missing in Control Panel also.

3. No page file by default, but can be enabled.

4. Net Framework 3.5 or lower cannot be installed, might cause a problem with some software you need to install.

5. Net Framework 4.0 installs and works for programs that use it.

6. Acronis 2011 will not install, period.

7. Turn Windows Features on or off is inoperable, most likely removed. (Your System Administrator has disabled Windows Features) I am running in the hidden admin account, and can find nothing in gpedit to enable this.

8. Missing Programs, Sticky Notes, Sync Center, Windows Mobility Center, Windows speech recognition, Windows Easy transfer.

9, No built in image burning software (No Open With > Windows Disc Image burner)



What it does have and what works:

1. Microsoft Security Essentials installs and works.

2. On the All Programs list there is "Subsystems for UNIX-based Systems" folder with a link to download Unix Subsystem Utilities and a help file. Link takes you to this page below.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/de ... n&id=23754

3. Aero works if hardware meets the usual requirements.

4. Macrium Reflect Free does install and work. (for backup purposes)

5. Windows Media Player 12

6. IE8 upgradeable to IE9

7. Chrome Browser installs and works fine

8. Gpedit.msc (which means it is a pro version of W7)

[A31]

Hmmm... ThinPC comes with IE9 anyway and the reason why there's no Windows Image Burner and photo viewer and that is because it is a slimmed down version of Windows 7 and yes Aero does work.

I don't own this machine anymore anyway.