Windows 7: From taskbar prototypes to final superbar

How Microsoft developed W7 taskbar to the look and functionality it has today? Well, they certainly experimented with allot of different setups to accomplish the goal, is it done right now?

Some of them are stupid, some of them have surprising futures that are missing now from RC.

The most interesting designs:

center

Notice one, important( i think so) detail that is missing. There is no start menu. it is interesting that design is aligned to the center. Some may say that it is to much OSX like but who cares, they could consider this prototype with one tweak:

Two-line labels

In RC, Microsoft decided to turn off labels by default, i think this is wrong move. In most cases, label is fastest way to separate 2 similar looking windows. In prototypes, you could really often notice two line labels, they should stick with it, if there is space left, why waste it?

Better  previews

Previews for windows media player could be much more functional then they are now. Microsoft should do its best for its own build in apps with previews to show developers how much they can do with this, instead they added 3 buttons… always something. RC:

Interesting thing is that in prototypes you can notice that they did use it better, i really don’t know why they decided to drop it.

More 3D look

There are some taskbar in prototypes with interesting 3D look. RC’s Superbar is flat. It is not important but some may care.

About prototypes.

Microsoft presented interesting presentation where they showed off process of creating Windows 7 Experience. Most of files in this solution comes from this presentation. Sometimes it is funny how much did it take to achieve so simple tasks. Biggest/funniest problem described was “inventing” that you can show jump list by right click. Another funny thing is how they discovered aero shake the most un-useful future ever.

What’s final (RC) missing?

If you haven’t seen final superbar in action, take a look at this video:

I am sure that developers will still create some really useful stuff with previews, and that’s great. I guess there is really only few things that could use some really final tweaks.

1. Default view should be “combine when taskbar is full”.
2. Labels should be spread on two lines. As i said, if there is some space left – use it.
3. Better  use of previews for build in apps.
4. Some people would want something more than “flat” taskbar.
5. There should be button in right click jump list to “hide label”, this way, you could save allot of space with application that completely do not benefit from labels. Alternatively, if Microsoft belief that combined view is better in most cases, do the button “Never combine”. This would be really space saver + productivity improver.

Please, Microsoft think about it, you still have some time left to RTM

Overall,

Superbar is big improvement over old taskbar. You probably will need some time to get used to it but then it can only be better. All bugs have been fixed in RC and now, no one needs old quick launch.