Windows 7 build 6498

6.1.6498.1.winmain.071115-1832
	Build of Windows 7
OS family	Windows NT
Version number	6.1
Build number	6498
Build revision	1
Architecture	AMD64
Build lab	winmain
Compiled on	2007-11-15
Expiration date
Timebomb	2008-05-07 (+174 days)
SKUs
	Home Basic (N); Home Premium; Business (N); Ultimate
About dialog

Windows 7 build 6498 is a Milestone 1 build of Windows 7. It was shared online on 20 April 2024 alongside build 6776. It is the last known build to use its predecessor’s branding in About Windows, and the last known build to state Windows (R) Code Name "Windows 7" on the watermark, which would be replaced with Windows (R) 7 in the next available build.

Various applications are given new functionality in this build, such as early user interface work for a new version of the Windows Media Player application, and the introduction of a reworked calculator with support for statistical/scientific mode toggles and history.

New features and changes[edit | edit source]

User interface[edit | edit source]

Aspects of the user interface have underwent user interface redesigns; for instance, hidden notification tray items are now displayed in a separate dialog, and applications such as Calculator now include interface overhauls that are locked behind checks instituted inside of the Application Compatibility Engine (ACE).

Feedback Tool[edit | edit source]

The HTML-based feedback application from earlier Vista builds has been replaced with a dedicated feedback widget making use of Microsoft's Product Studio bug reporting framework - the new user interface includes categories for the five "Vision Pillars" (which focus on a specific use case such as portable devices or home entertainment) outlined in the original Windows 7 vision documentation,^[1] and "scenarios" (which refer to specific Windows functionality associated with a pillar). A frequency scale and a priority rating are also included as part of the user interface, and testers have the ability to provide comments and attach a screenshot in the bug report submission.

Applications[edit | edit source]

The Windows Sidebar has been replaced with the Desktop Gadget Gallery. Gadgets still cling to the right side of the screen and moving them behaves like it does in its predecessor.
The calculator's digital display box has been divided into two columns, and the new upper column is used to display the operands of previous steps.
- Two new modes have been added: "Programmer" mode and "Statistics" mode.

Boot Graphics Library[edit | edit source]

An early iteration of the Boot Graphics Library has been implemented into the operating system, which expands upon the existing boot video driver library (bootvid.dll) and Windows boot loader applications (winload, winresume) to add support for version 2.0 of the VESA BIOS Extensions display specification. In relation to these changes, the boot screen has been updated to include a placeholder boot animation which features the generic logon screen background image along with a glow animation that moves across the visible area, mostly similar to the implementation present in build 6608.

Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

Version Reporter Applet[edit | edit source]

Branding resources in the Version Reporter Applet no longer have a unique background attributed to them, and memory usage is no longer displayed.

Redpill-specific functionality[edit | edit source]

Registry changes and enablement[edit | edit source]

The associated registry value for enabling the Superbar (as well as a majority of the major underlying Windows 7 shell changes, which are hidden behind registry value enablement checks) has changed. To enable the Superbar and Libraries functionalities (along with several additional new window management features described below), merge the below values into the current user account's registry:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"EnableCHS"=dword:00000001
"UseWin7NavPane"=dword:00000001

Superbar[edit | edit source]

This build adds the ability to pin applications onto the Superbar, so long as the respective applications are opened. Application labels can be disabled in the Superbar by toggling on the below registry value:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"TaskbarAlwaysGlom"=dword:00000001

Task previews are now offset several pixels away from the Superbar, and the fade animation observed after moving cursor focus away from the task previews has been slowed down.

Superbar
Superbar (small buttons)

Aero Peek[edit | edit source]

This build introduces the Aero Peek functionality, which allows the user to view their desktop and observe overlapping windows by invoking the ⊞ Win+Space key combination. The Peek implementation in this build is primitive and only displays the base glass texture on existing windows after a simple fade animation is played.

Aero Peek (before)
Aero Peek (after)

Aero Shake[edit | edit source]

The Aero Shake functionality has also been introduced as part of this build. Users can minimize and restore windows from previous states by shaking an active window; however, attempting to restore minimized windows results in the operating system returning focus to a previous window, cancelling out any window position changes that were made.

Aero Snap[edit | edit source]

Aero Snap has all its functionality present in this build, allowing users to snap open windows by dragging them on either side of the screen, or by maximizing and restoring them by dragging the window to the top and then back down. Animations for this feature have not been implemented yet. Instead, the window is shown in its full snapped state when dragged to any side before letting go of the mouse input. The hitboxes for triggering this feature are also slightly larger when the window is dragged near the edges of the screen rather than having to drag it all the way over. It is also very difficult to get this feature working as the only known way of enabling it is to have the watermark on the desktop disappear.

Desktop background slideshow[edit | edit source]

A toggleable Control Panel option for time-based desktop background slideshows is present in this build and can be enabled by merging the below registry value into the current user's registry:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"EnableDBS"=dword:00000001

Backgrounds can be switched to in a sequential order or randomly. Background switch intervals range from ten seconds to up to one day at most.

Background slideshow enabled

Start menu[edit | edit source]

The ability to show all programs in a separate shell folder on Windows Explorer has been added. It can be enabled manually by merging the following registry entry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Management]
"AllYourProgramsAreBelongToUs"=dword:00000001

All Programs folder

Bugs and quirks[edit | edit source]

When virtualizing this build using VMware Workstation, there is a high probability of an error occurring with hal.dll during setup if the hardware compatibility is set to any version higher than 8.0.
This build has stability issues on OOBE and it can cause partial lagging.
Some application folders such as Windows PowerShell and other accessories are duplicated in several places. Also, Windows PowerShell contains documents referring to themselves as "Windows Server System".
While a User Account Control window is open, the Start button seems brighter than the background of the applet instead.