Windows 7 build 6956

6.1.6956.0.winmain.081122-1150
	Build of Windows 7
OS family	Windows NT
Version number	6.1
Build number	6956
Build revision	0
Architecture	x86
Build lab	winmain
Compiled on	2008-11-22
Expiration date
Timebomb	2009-07-01 (+221 days)
SKUs
	Home Basic; Home Premium; Professional; Ultimate
About dialog

Windows 7 build 6956 is a pre-beta build of Windows 7, which was shared online as an x86 Ultimate compile on 4 December 2008 and is currently the last available build before the official beta release. The build was first found in a VHD dump originating from a Samsung NC100 notebook, and can be deployed using the WinPE of build 6801.^[1] This build, as well as other ensuing builds up to build 7022, has hidden features in Internet Explorer 8 that can only be unlocked via apps such as Bluepill.

This build has been mislabeled as build 6965 in multiple sources, including ZDNet, which has posted a few screenshots of build 6956 with the article name mislabeled.^[2]

Changes[edit | edit source]

The Superbar once again has minor appearance changes, including a more-bluish accent and less-appearing outlines around places such as the Start orb.
Many features - such as the desktop slideshow - are now enabled by default, leaving the only features locked behind Redpill being a few changes in Internet Explorer 8.
The places bar of the legacy Common File Dialog seems to be disabled by default like in build 6910.
When changing themes, the Login sound is played instead of the Tada sound.
User Account Control now shows a background again.
The About page of Windows Media Center now references Windows 7, removing the final reference of Windows Vista.
The Windows logo on the Start button (when the Windows Classic theme is in use) has been uplifted and now resembles the RTM.
Icons for Windows Explorer and Libraries have been updated to those found in the RTM.
Windows Media Player setup has been updated.

Control Panel[edit | edit source]

Windows Firewall has been moved to the System and Security category.
Action Center, ClearType Text Tuner, Default Location, and Location and Other Sensors received new icons.

Bugs and quirks[edit | edit source]

Upgrade[edit | edit source]

It is not possible to upgrade to 6956 with the current leak as the ISO image uses 6801's setup components; they can be substituted with build 7000's by replacing its install.wim with the one from this build.
Upgrading to this build will result in an additional Windows Media Player icon being placed on the Superbar if there are only up to two pinned Windows Media Player icons beforehand, along with the user being asked to change their password as the upgrade finishes.