Opinions on Win7.

A thinking of an upgrade to my OS and I don't really care for Vista.
Would like to see what actual Win7 users think about it as compared to Vista or XP.:confused (yes, I still have XP on one machine.):-D

 

I like it but there is a learning curve about locations of items and functions as compared to XP. It can be harder to network with the home group option which I believe can throw some kinks in the system unintentionally. I would rather see the home group default to inactive rather than active.

For example, I just added a new comp at work after installing the OS at home so home group was active and my first network connection was a home network location. After taking the comp in to work, my second network location was work and I needed to change the network ID to a domain and I had the hardest time getting the machine to see the correct network. I eventually had to manually change some IP addresses in the network properties to get connected up. I still have a problem with one database program's security settings even though my user is listed as a domain administrator which should give me full rights on everything in the domain but this one network mapped drive is still refusing to let me have read/write access for some reason.

Other than that, Win7 is very stable compared to XP and Vista (which I used for a very short time at home).
Drivers can be a pain to find for older equipment since manufacturers don't release compatible drivers for the OS. At home I have had very few problems with the OS but at work it can be a challenge sometimes.
Updating is easier from the standpoint of the process as opposed to the number of updates.
Recovery from driver faults is easier as the OS can recover itself in most cases. If you hit a BSOD, there is a serious problem which you will have to track down as opposed to a niggly interaction between two apps or drivers.
From a stand point of geekiness, it is harder to control some things that are automatically controlled by the OS and you really have to dig deep to get to a place you can choose the options. (Bullet proofing for the majority of users can be a pain.)

Those are my major thoughts. I'm sure others have a lot to say also.

 

gloozit.
Ancient or not, XP is still being supported until April, 2014.
And it can be used even after support drops.
Not enough reason for me.

 

After using Win 7 intensively for about two years I think it takes Windows for PCs to its peak. It has been virtually indestructible and is a constant pleasure to use. But I wouldn't recommend sticking it on outdated hardware, if that is in your mind, as you may well run into problems finding satisfactory drivers, and not all of your software may run well on it either.

When buying a new machine and peripherals imo it's unbeatable, but if your XP setup is still performing well I would leave it until you want to upgrade the hardware too.

 

Regarding comments on older hardware, I'm running Windows 7 on an HP Compaq d530 CMT tower system. Release Date: 2005-07-14. This computer was given to me with no hard drive. I installed a hard drive and tried Win 7 RC, the pre-release version that was free to download and try out. I was hooked on Windows 7 and eventually acquired Windows 7 and installed on this computer. The computer is a Pentium 4, 2.66GHz processor, and had 2GB of RAM when I received it; I later increased RAM to 4GB (3.5 GB usable due to 32-bit system). I have an AGP video card (nVidia GeForce 6200, 256MB of memory) in it.

 

Is there possibly a link floating around that I could take my XP machine to to see if it is compatible with 7 and could run it?

 

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

 

In my personal opinion windows 7 is a lot easier to use than XP. For one thing, Start Search was a godsend in Vista & has only got better. As so many others have said, crashing is practically gone, stability is through the roof, and, frankly, I think windows 8 will kill Microsoft. 2 bad products in 10 years won't exactly help them & windows 8 will turn out to be very divisive in my opinion.

 

Windows 7 is working very well, and very fast (if on the right hardware).

The only problem I have with W7 is the "Search" facility; it simply never finds anything...

 

I have to disagree Xp is Extremely Easy compare to Vista

Windows 7 is kinda similar to Xp and its features in many ways.

Windows 7 still has its corky bugs just like Xp does

Vista was like windows millenium Both horrible

I can easily run threw windows 7 be cause its so close to the style of Xp users.

And windows 8 don't even get me started on that junk.

 

Its the same as 7 dud go threw my computer lol 3 clicks

Xp is easier then you think.

 

Right click on my computer then Properties Then hardware

lol

i started on windows 3.1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSJDIGiepgU

 

3-clicks method (using Small icons or Large icons view in Control Panel): Click Start, Click Control Panel, Click Device Manager.

4-clicks method (option 1): Click Start, right-click Computer, click Properties, click
Device Manager.

4-clicks method (option 2): Click Start, right-click Computer, click Manage, click Device Manager.

4-clicks method (option 3): Click Start, left-click Computer, click the button for "System properties" (below menu bar), click Device Manager.

 

I am slowly warming to Windows 7 after being forced to use it on 2 of the computers at work. I don't like how they renamed things. While exploring an os can be fun, it is not when you are trying to get the network back up, and you have one or two that are on an unfamiliar os (Win7).

I do like the new OS as far as boot speed and stability, and the good support for 64 bit stuff. I will most likely upgrade my computer to W7 soon, and add some more RAM.

XP, especially for it's age, is a very good OS. For 99% of the computers at work, it is very acceptable. XP is getting a bit long in the tooth. :-D

 

I don't have any problems with Windows 7. Although the main reason I upgraded was because I needed an OS that supported over 3.25GB of memory.

Side note: You can get Windows 7 to look a lot like Windows XP just by turning off all the visual effects (go for High Performance instead). That's what I do

 

Will try that Tuesday Thisis. Boss is not fond of W7 either.

 

Unless you where running windows 32bit versions witch only allow you to run 3.25gigs of ram 64bit is the one only allowed to run all of your memory.

 

This is so true! I'm using FileSearchEX because of this.

 

Yes i still like Xp be cause of the ease of the way around it.I know my way around every program.

The Xp 64bit and 32bit are still being Supported So way get rid of it.

And yes it can still be used even after the support drops.

No Xp in not Ancient Windows 3.1 is Ancient and so is windows 1.0 lol

Xp was made in August 24, 2001; 10 years ago

And i still see many many companies still use Windows Xp.

The place i work at still does.And even after the Support is up i think you are still able to download the windows updates.

 

Theres computers at my dads place of employment still running 95 that work great for there job. But would i want to use that at home for a desktop i plan on using? Nah ill stick to something new and supported.

 

Different question on the same OS.
If I get a 32/64 bit copy, can I install on 2 machines of the right bit size, or do I have to decide on which to use and forget about the other?

 

Click on Start, then Control Panel. Just 2 clicks. Or did you mean Device Manager? :-D

 

You get one licence key and have to decide which version to install.

 

As the kids say, "That bites."

 

I don't want to hijack your thread but this might be of interest to you as well as to me. Does the 64 bit version have any features that the 32 bit version does not have other than the ability to run 64 bit software and use more than 4GB of memory?

 

Sure, but I said

and 32 bit can use two processors too btw

 

Parallel processing requires two cpus or two or more cores in a single cpu. That's it!

 

Copying and pasting Wikipedia, wow rolleyes

These were your actual words

which quite simply is incorrect

 

Sorry to interupt, but getting back to Harlow2 question
I install W7 on different laptops, and pc;s and I always ask what the owner wants to use it for.-If XP does everything you need, and it is still supported, then why change it.
If they then say they want to try it, I put thr minimum programs they need, use the pin to start bar function to get to office, or yahoo, or, google that they use, and even the old laptops love it (Home Premium works well on a laptop that had XP, or, Vista.
None of those have asked to go back to XP, OR, Vista.
Keep it simple- easyto use.
As a bit of a geek, like many on here, I am always messing with mine, but with 8 partitions on a 1 and half tb hard drive- thts my way of playing.
I have often used the second partition on those older laptops, as its often set as a data drive, and the average user never even sees it, as they want a writing program, like works, or office, and web access. It flies even on those. Leaving their old XP, OR, Vista on the C partition) but I found once they got used to it, they just boot into Windows 7-
I only check back into my XP partitions when asked for something that Ihad to brush up on- and I am 70, so I find XP a bit boring, now.
Windows 8, when using tips from Geoff Shulz (from Techrepublic) can be altered slightly to give similar startup yjat we are used to- I find its in early stages, but it just needs doctoring until finalised- majorgeeks jump on it !
Its all about personal choice.:-D

 

I forgot one main point- a single gb of ram will run on Windows 7 32 bit /2gb on 64 bit- on that mimnimum needs setup- then its up to the user if he wants faster etc:
Seemed as quick as XP , too
The other nits I put on -acrobat reader, and Clamwin antivirus- keeping W7 malware tool active.

 

When I started this, I was looking for personal opinions on the OS to help me decide on upgrading or not.
Was NOT looking for a fight or a debate on the merits, so can we get back on topic?

 

Well Hrlow, I am starting to like it better the more I use it. The frustrating thing to me is how things are changed around enough that I have to search for things. I think I will get it for my computer at home. If I use if for a few days, I am sure I will get used to it.

If you get it, just expect some time to learn it, as others have stated. 8G of RAM sounds like fun. :-D

 

Fred:
I have 4 in each of my machines and always seem to have 1 1/2 not being used.
8 would be a waste to me.

 

If your computers are better than the min. specs then I'd recommend Win7 over XP. But if you've never maxed out 4gb of RAM there may not be a need to upgrade.

 

But with DDR2 being cheap last time I looked, and the awesomeness of overkill, why not? :-D

Four of these would be fun. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231121

 

Looks at the forum name, 'Major Geeks'. Yes, all of our computer buying choices are driven only by need and necessity. None of us spend money on hardware we don't 'need'. :-D