The most interesting Vista beta build

[User5274]

I would like to try some Vista build on real hardware using VBOOT. Which one would you suggest (x86_64 is preferred)?

[Longesthorn]

5112. That's an interesting build, since the UI is pretty different and it has virtual folders, which the RTM release lacks. The x64 iso of this is available.

[Maza]

5112, 5212, or 5219. Each are interesting for their own reasons.

5112 has been, in my experience, very stable and includes many features that did not make it into the RTM version. For instance, metadata painting, PC-to-PC Sync, and many virtual folders that are not included in RTM.

5212 is similar to 5112—as far as I am aware it has all of its features—but includes Network Computer Sharing, the latest known implementation of Static Lists, as well as more extensive Help and Support Center documentation.

5219 is interesting in that it significantly changed the direction Microsoft had headed with virtual folders by introducing a single Library virtual folder instead of relying on "All Documents," "All Pictures and Videos," etc. If I recall, it also introduced rich tooltips for metadata painting:

[ovctvct]

*snip*

5212 is similar to 5112—as far as I am aware it has all of its features—but includes Network Computer Sharing, the latest known implementation of Static Lists, as well as more extensive Help and Support Center documentation.*snip*

You forgot to mention that 5212 includes a sidebar Also, LDDM is not required for DWM unlike 5112, so aero works in vmware for 5212.

[Maza]

*snip*

5212 is similar to 5112—as far as I am aware it has all of its features—but includes Network Computer Sharing, the latest known implementation of Static Lists, as well as more extensive Help and Support Center documentation.*snip*

You forgot to mention that 5212 includes a sidebar Also, LDDM is not required for DWM unlike 5112, so aero works in vmware for 5212.

I am aware of the Sidebar—indeed, have taken screenshots of it—but you are right in that I did forget to mention it. Thank you for pointing it out.

[BetaNewbie]

Installing Longhorn with VBOOT? That sounds risky to me.
Anyway, if you are into Avalon stuff, I would recommend 4051 and 4093.
If you like Aero stuff, then 4074, 5212, 5270 and 5384. (Beta 2 builds have a animated background for OOBE if you have compatable hardware, which is insane.)

[hinatahyuuga]

But those build had many problems with side by side application , making difficulty for install program on it .

[windowsawesome]

Yup Windows Longhorn 5112 is an awesome build Better than 5048

[ovctvct]

Yup Windows Longhorn 5112 is an awesome build Better than 5048

umm... and why exactly?

[Maza]

Yup Windows Longhorn 5112 is an awesome build Better than 5048

Why? How? 5048 includes many of the features in 5112 such as instant search, metadata painting, People Near Me, stacks, static lists, virtual folders, etc. It even has some nice features that 5112 does not such as the display of column headers within Start menu search results and Location and People properties for photos.

[windowsawesome]

Well i think 5112 is more stable than 5048

[Wheatley]

Well i think 5112 is more stable than 5048

You think? How can you know it isn't just a placebo effect caused by a bigger number? I'd recommend testing the builds more to gain a more solid opinion. Based on my experience, stability-wise they're mostly identical, at least on the test laptop I tried them on.

[windowsawesome]

I have tested both builds

[TuneableSumo876]

I have tested both builds

And?

[windowsawesome]

Well first 5048 had a drive error so I tried installing it from XP and that worked and with 5112 you can install it standalone.

[Windows Thunderstruck]

For formatting 5048, use Diskpart or 4093PE
It works using the 4093 PE

[Mint_Cloud2006]

Build 5536 is very interesting.
I installed Build 5536 on Real Computer, When 2014
and I like RTM version of Vista too..

[AS95678]

Pre or post reset? Most responses suggest post reset, but I'll include both of my opinions

Pre-reset: 4074

Post-reset: 5112/5212

[SlyRedFox_MKUltra]

Pre or post reset? Most responses suggest post reset, but I'll include both of my opinions

Pre-reset: 4074

Post-reset: 5112/5212

I've always thought 4039 was more interesting than 4074. They removed a lot of features like the ability to open the CMD and other apps from Explorer and attaching task bar to top in 4074. The task scheduler is cool, but 4039 has remnants of it. I thought 4039 was cooler because it's technically the final bridge between the classic Skeuomorphic feel and the Faux Skeuomorphic, clean Aero look we still have today. As Plex was really the last theme of Windows to have that retro early 00s feel.

I just wish somebody would combine all the ups of every Longhorn build together. The unique new control panel of 3683, the desktop switcher from 3683-4005, the easiness of getting online and the ability to switch between new and old start menu in 4008, the mass expansions of 4039, the notifications and new Composition Engine/Stars in 4074. And all the themes too.

[LuLu]

easy for skins as they were ported to both msstyle and wblinds
some components you can independantly find like beta 2 sidebar, M3 virtual desktops, and clocks
theres M6 "lh explorer" that was made before, so were toast baloons (by aves)

you might even emulate early DCE with stardock's window-fx

[Splitwirez]

the themes

ported to msstyle

You called? :>

[SlyRedFox_MKUltra]

the themes

ported to msstyle

You called?

What skin is that in your post. Is it for Windows 10? I really want it now. lol

[Splitwirez]

What skin is that in your post. Is it for Windows 10? I really want it now. lol

Plexcellent. There's an old beta of it for Windows 8.1 available, although I will admit that that beta sucks compared to what you see here. I've been working with another Visual Style artist by the name of devillnside, to facilitate the next release on both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. (I only use Windows 8.1, sooo...)

[hinatahyuuga]

Kind of theme for Windows 7 , never released since 5 years.. like themes build by Aitemulive.
Thats still always Screenshots. Same for 5048 prototype,4001 , 53XX..

[LuLu]

you can do it yourself within 2 months -_-