There were no manifestations of an actual error, in fact, Java applets were as blank as could be, and trying to interact with the Java console in Firefox caused the text to gray out with absolutely no result. All the while, Java’s plugin was listed in the browser’s add-ons, just as one would expect it to be.

My initial instinct sent me hunting through Firefox’s options to ensure that Java was enabled – which it was. I checked the Java control panel in Windows for any potential discrepancies, of which I found none. I naturally turned to Google as well as some Firefox and Java help documents, and came up empty handed.

Losing faith in my ability to use a search engine after a frustrating 30 minutes of seeking an explanation to what I expected would be a common issue, I dove into the programs files. Following a brief session of skimming Java file descriptions, I discovered two little gems: npjpi160_13.dll and npoji610.dll. Sharing a similar name, both are described as plugin files for the Netscape Navigator browser. Sure enough, a peak in Firefox’s plugins folder confirmed that both were missing.

The fix: Ensure that the latest copy of Java and Firefox are installed (watch out for the Yahoo! toolbar during installation). Navigate to Java’s program directory, and in the “bin” folder locate the files named “npjpi160_13.dll” and “npoji610.dll”. Copy both files and proceed to Firefox’s plugins folder, where you’ll paste them.

Assuming you’ve copied the proper files, and that this was the source of your issue, all should be well.

Armed with the file names, I was able to find potential bug recognition at bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase. If you’re still experiencing issues, visit Java’s Help Center for troubleshooting tips, and if necessary, feel free open a thread on our forum.

This is nothing new and actually has been a “feature” of Windows ever since XP’s SP2 got released and the Security Center came to exist. It’s nothing new either to have a majority of antivirus suites to become incompatible with brand new operating systems – and Windows 7 is no exception, especially more so in its current beta form.

Upon a bit of investigation you probably made your way to the Windows 7 security provider page at Microsoft’s site and perhaps were let down by the fact that the three “officially” supported AVs are all paid software or that your preferred suite isn’t listed (AVG is listed but not the free version). So, we’ve decided to install and test a variety of the more popular options out there so you don’t have to.

We will start things off by confirming that the supported AVs on Microsoft’s page indeed work:

AVG & AVG Free: Compatible **
(Download)

Kaspersky Antivirus 2009: Compatible
(Download)

Norton AntiVirus 2009: Compatible
(Download)

Eset NOD32: Compatible
(Download)

McAfee Total Protection Beta: Compatible
(Download)

Avast! Home Edition: Compatible
(Download)

Avira AntiVir Personal: Compatible
(Download)

BitDefender Internet Security 2009: Compatible
(Download)

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro: Incompatible

eScan Internet Security Suite: Incompatible

Ahnlab V3 Internet Security 2007: Incompatible

Needless to say, the similarities between Vista and 7 become apparent from looking at the list above. No doubt AV makers have adapted their applications to interact with the OS internal workings better, so they are easily prepared to work with 7.

Besides installing the suites we toyed with them a little and ran quick/full scans. Those apps listed as compatible should be working fine for you unless some bug in the beta OS (or why not, the AV suite compatibility) becomes self-evident.

If you’re curious about any other antivirus, let us know in the comments and we’ll update the article with our findings (if we can obtain the software) and be sure to let us know if your favorite antivirus is now compatible!

** Update 2/12/09:
Added BitDefender Internet Security 2009 to the list. I experienced no compatibility issues whatsoever throughout the installation, updating and scanning process.

Paul Hayes (Ascully.com) was kind enough of letting us know that AVG’s Mail Scanner portion doesn’t go along well with Outlook, causing it to stop receiving email. We will confirm this ourselves later. I tested this using Outlook 2007 and had no problems at all sending or receiving new/old mail via IMAP/SMTP from my Gmail account. Perhaps the issue is more isolated to a specific configuration and it may even be absolutely unrelated.

** Update 2/13/09:
Added Trend Micro Internet Security Pro to the list. Resulted in BSOD (stop 0×18) and screwed up UAC, couldn’t make any alterations from within Windows. I was forced to manually remove the software in Safe Mode (by deleting program data/registry entries).

Added eScan Internet Security Suite to the list. During installer/uninstaller caused the cursor to randomly move on it’s own and caused general instabilities.

** Update 2/16/09:
Added Ahnlab V3 Internet Security 2007 to the list. It required me to run the compatibility wizard for installation and even then the program was very unstable (stopped responding on multiple occasions, especially when applying settings). Also, the Action Center failed to detect any protection while it was installed. Though it installed/uninstalled and allowed me to update/scan successfully, I would not presently use this antivirus on Windows 7.

** Update 2/25/09:
Added McAfee Total Protection Beta (thank you for updating us in the comments). Experienced absolutely no issues, installation/uninstallation were clean and updating/scanning went smooth. If you were bummed about the previously incompatible offer from McAfee, wipe the tears away and get their beta software.

So, head to your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers available for Windows Vista – we also keep a healthy catalog of the latest drivers for graphics cards and other devices in our own drivers section.

After downloading the drivers, run the installation setup and follow the prompts as if you would any other time. If you are presented with any errors due to compatibility, cancel the installation, right click the on the install package’s .exe and choose “Troubleshoot Compatibility”.

This will present you with a “Program Compatibility” wizard of sorts, which is a bit more friendly than on previous version of Windows.

The wizard will show a few common issues to select from and ask which apply to your situation. It won’t allow you to proceed without selecting something, so if it’s not already, just check the box next to “The program worked in earlier versions of Windows but won’t install or run now” and click next.

Obviously we’ll want to choose Windows Vista as the last known OS to support the drivers.

Upon completion you ought to be met with a window displaying the new settings enabled for your software and the option to test your new configuration by clicking next.

Interesting fact: According to Google Analytics, over the past few weeks the number of visitors coming to TechSpot using Windows 7 has exploded. Currently it accounts for roughly 2% of our traffic. Doesn’t sound like much but this is only 15 days after its beta release. It also makes for the fourth most popular OS among our readers after XP (65%), Vista (23%) and Mac OS X (3%).

Method 1: Windows NT/2000 and XP

Open up the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd > Enter/Ok). When the command prompt has loaded type “net stats srv” (or “net statistics server”). NT4 users (are there any, really?) need to download a special utility instead.

Method 2: Windows XP and beyond

Alternatively, you can use the command prompt to obtain system information, type “system info” which will also provide you with your PC’s uptime.

Method 3: Windows Vista and beyond

For those on Vista or Windows 7, things are a little easier (although the above will work just fine). Right click the taskbar and choose “Task Manager” or “Start Task Manager”. Head over to the “Performance” tab and on the bottom right of the window you ought to see your system uptime.

Also, should you so prefer, there are many other lightweight applications that will provide you with your system uptime. There’s a desktop gadget dedicated to that and here’s yet another alternative.

Feel free to share your current uptime in the comments below. Mine right now is at 47 hours, 51 minutes on Vista x64.

Brandon Paddock, who is one of Windows 7 Explorer developers, recently posted a complete list of Windows 7 hotkeys which I have copied below. I have also highlighted those which I believe are most useful and probably golden time-savers if you get to incorporate them into your day to day usage (though you will first need to use W7 as your primary OS for that).

Windows 7 Show desktop shortcut

General

Explorer

Taskbar modifiers
 

Now considering you may be running this Beta 1 release as your main OS for some reason (I admit it, I have given in to the temptation many times before), one of those elements in particular can become annoying and obtrusive to your otherwise neat configured desktop.

Windows 7 Beta Send Feedback link

Here’s how to remove the Send Feedback link:

(1) Run the Registry Editor (type regedit on the start run menu)
(2) Browse to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
(3) If it’s not already there, add a new DWORD (32-bit) value “FeedbackToolEnabled” and set its data field to 0.
(4) The change should take effect on your next restart.

An alternative way to do this is to run this registry key file I have compiled for you. Just download, run and then restart.

Windows 7 Build 7000 watermark

There’s also a way to remove the wallpaper watermark from the beta, though I don’t find this quite as bothersome.

The process for doing this is a bit more complicated, having to patch the original user32.dll.mui file found on your Windows folder. So what I recommend you do is download this utility (found via My Digital Life) that will take care of everything for you – notice however this is only meant to work with Windows 7 Build 7000 (Beta 1).

Update: We still encourage all users to submit their feedback to Microsoft. It’s obvious that’s the reason Microsoft is giving away the OS code at this stage (besides building momentum after a lackluster Vista reception from most media), so if you come across some obvious bugs please submit them so developers can get them fixed in future revisions.

Our intention with this tip is to give you a fix for aesthetics if you will be using the beta for a prolonged time and the send feedback link bothers you visually. Ultimately what we all want is a flawless-as-you-can-get Windows 7 final release later this year.

As reported earlier on our frontpage news, Microsoft released the Windows 7 Beta publicly on Friday. Unless you jumped into the leaked torrent bandwagon a week ago, this would be your first chance to get your hands on the beta and as it’s become evident, demand for the installation ISOs has been overwhelming enough that Microsoft has taken down the download sites temporarily.

But anyway, you can always either download via torrents (illegal? not sure it counts for a public release) or use Microsoft’s own servers via the direct download links we posted here.

And while the beta will let you run the OS without activation for 30 days, you will eventually need a CD-key to run until August when the beta is supposed to expire.

Windows 7 beta cd key

Some clever folks have found a way to get you a key despite of the official site being down…

(1) Login to http://technet.microsoft.com (I guess using your passport in Hotmail works just as well)

(2) The copy and paste one of the following links in your address bar:
(32-bit key) https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-32-ww&LCID=1033
(64-bit key) https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/scripts/gcs.aspx?Product=tn-win7-64-ww&LCID=1033

If you receive a page not found error just press F5 (refresh) until you are redirected and taken to a page where your key will be displayed (similar to the screenshot above). Now, it won’t work easily with commentators from around the web saying it took them anything from 5 minutes to an hour to get it. It’s up to you to decide if the effort is worth it :)

Update: Per points out that you can refresh automatically using this Firefox add-on.

Update #2: The links posted above are working right away today. The fact is Microsoft has posted back the Windows 7 Beta on their site. Microsoft announced it would limit the public beta to 2.5 million users, so download it as it lasts.

Several people have commented here since this post was made over a year ago and admittedly without any scientific or extended tests, we still recommend you to stay away from the ZoneAlarm + Vista combo.

Original post (October 9, 2007):
On a follow-up to my post yesterday about basic security programs you should be running under Windows XP, ever since I upgraded to Vista I revisited those program choices which for the most part remained the same with the exception of the free ZoneAlarm firewall…

In general, Windows Vista’s security is tighter and services such as Defender are more integrated into the OS. During the first couple of months, AVG’s anti-virus did not like Vista and it was common to find certain programs not working correctly until updates were released, even more so security suites that have to deal more directly with the core of the OS. ZoneLabs makers of the ZoneAlarm firewall took its time until the program was ready for Vista and it wasn’t until recently that it was made available on its free form as well (not part of the paid full suite).

Well, in short the experience I had with the latest build of ZoneAlarm for Vista was horrific. I noticed slowdowns and strange behavior from the OS that simply wasn’t there before. In other words, a far cry from the seamless integration and speed seen with the XP version.

If you come from XP and want to install ZoneAlarm in Vista… just don’t do it.

The good news is that Vista’s built-in firewall has proven sufficient for me so far though it does not feature outbound traffic monitoring. It’s time to look for an alternative full-featured free firewall if you are running Vista.

Now Microsoft is expected to unleash the first public preview of Windows 7 at their Professional Developers Conference this week. Some details have leaked already, but nothing to share just yet in terms of UI elements except for this PDC wallpaper that all computers at the conference are using (courtesy of istartedsomething). I have been using it for the past few hours and I had to recommend it. Nice colors, blends well and is a bit flashy (Vista style) without being too distracting.

For some of us, upgrading to Vista has been somewhat of a relief. The rest of Windows users still using XP have probably either gone back to the silver boxy Windows or relied on official or third party patching for getting the job done. Unfortunately last time I checked (a couple of years ago), even the most elaborate skins for popular applications like WindowBlinds lack the finish and subtlety I require.

But don’t despair. My advice, use some of the Microsoft-made themes that replace the original blue theme and make for a much better impression than the built-in silver or green themes.

Previously available themes include:
Royale
Royale Noir (by far my favorite)
Zune theme

Now also available (thanks to Sizzled Core), the Windows Embedded theme that uses a strong blue but still looks quite good IMO.

Notice neither of these require UxTheme.dll patching or other workarounds.