Over at ZDNET.com, they have a new post reviewing the newly leaked 7057 build of Windows 7.  While not the official Release Candidate 1 (RC1) build, they [and other sites] claim the UI has been cleaned up quite a bit, new themes and avatars added, and other graphical polishings that would would lead one to think the Release Candidate is right around the corner.

Others have posted some new screenshots, updates and information on the new build as well, including Paul Thurrott’s Windows Supersite.  Paul’s website is a wealth of information on all things Microsoft and definitely worth checking out if you haven’t been there before.

What does this mean in the grand scheme of things?  Basically it means the Release Candidate (RC1) is getting closer (rumor has sometime in April) and each successive leaked release gives you a closer hint at how this new OS is going to perform.

As an IT professional, it’s always good to get a jump on what’s coming down the pike so you can test things like application, driver and component compatibility.  At this stage a beta doesn’t really help in those areas, but it does prepare you with regard to the overall look and feel, where things are located, nuances with the user interface, imaging requirements, tweaks, etc. 

I haven’t had time to really spend with the new build, but I wanted to let everyone now about it and also get some feedback.  If you’ve been using it (or any Windows 7 build) leave a comment and let everyone know your thoughts.

• Do you like Windows 7 compared to Vista or Windows XP?
• Are you planning on upgrading your personal computer, or if you’re an IT person – upgrading your company
• What enhancements would you like to see that aren’t there?