How good is windows 7 please?

Hi I have been advised to switch from Windows XP to 7, can anyone tell me if this is any good and is there a test which that I can download to see if It could run on my pc?

Many thanks.

Have a look at the Windows 7 Upgrader Advisor. It should help.

I use Windows 7 only because it came on a new desktop and a netbook that I bought. It seems fine to me.

If I had a machine with XP on it, I wouldn't upgrade unless I had or wanted some "must have" software that would not run on XP.

Andrew

Hi, it's called Windows 8 now (with a Windows Blue update scheduled for this summer) and is excellent especially in its 64 bit form.

Upgrade assistant will check your PC for you http://windows.microsoft.com/en-hk/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8

Sadly it's no longer £24.99 which as a bargain.

Windows 7 is still called Windows 7.

How good is Windows 7? Well it works fine here. Windows XP worked fine too. I find the Windows 7 GUI mcuh easier and Explorer is enhanced. Programs work more efficiently in the 64bit version and you get to enjoy access to a much bigger amount of RAM than the 3Gb limited to 32bit versions of Windows.

I've no intention of upgrading to Windows 8

Windows 7 is a fine operating system, as mentioned, the 64bit version is better due to the higher ram available. I have windows 8 on my main machine and its not as nice as 7, but with a little piece of software called Start is back win 8 can be as good as win 7, best £2.04 I've ever spent on software!

Win 8 is really Win7 with bells and whistles attached. Very soon, Microsoft will slowly wind down support for XP-based systems, so at the very least, you should be looking to upgrade to Vista. Like every reinvention of the Windows platform, it takes a bit of time to get used to, but I must admit that I mastered the basics of Win8 a lot quicker than I thought, although there's still things I'm trying to come to terms with the newer Windows shortcuts.

Remember, if you plan upgrading your current system, back up all your files and programs beforehand, using WINDOWS EASY TRANSFER on your current pc. Simply attach an external drive (one that will safely handle the current capacity of your pc)., If, for example, your internal hard drive has 230Gb on it, then you should be backing up onto at least a 500Gb external drive. Once you have upgraded your computer with the new operating system (OS), reconnect the external drive containing your backup files, and repeat the Easy Transfer - only this time, you are telling the machine to "pull" the data off the external, and place it on to the internal drive.

Windows 7 runs pretty well on older hardware. I'd highly recommend 7 over Vista. Depending on the age of your gear, you may struggle to find windows 7 compatible drivers (for some graphics cards etc). On the whole though I've found windows 7 to be excellent and it's a good step up from XP.

Where I work we are considering skipping Windows 8 altogether and may run with windows 7 until the next version after 8 arrives...

very sensible option.

From my experience every alternate version of windows has been a bit ropey.

Hi guys. Thanks very much. I had never heard of WINDOWS EASY TRANSFER, can you use a memory stick for that?

I know that's why I want to upgrade, heard there are too many glitches with 8 at the moment.

I will back up my photo's and word documents, but what I want to know is: Will 7 replace my software like Avast, Chrome, Explorer and yahoo messenger and Skype etc?

If it's possible to use a usb stick, you're gonna need a verrrrrry big one, as WET transfers all your files and settings, including your photos, videos, documents, and music!!

If you are doing an UPGRADE (as opposed to a complete, clean install) then your programs will still be there, but you might need to revisit the respective websites to updates them.

Skype will soon be changing from being an independent program, to being incorporated into Windows Live Messenger.

That's a bit worrying as I didn't get on with hotmail very much. So what's the best thing to use with WINDOWS EASY TRANSFER?

Do you have an external hard-drive, Louise? This is best for backing up to.

Best thing to do is:

(1) click your START button;
(2) click on MY COMPUTER;
(3) either hover over your "C" drive (your main drive),
or right-click then select PROPERTIES.
(4) note the size of your hard-drive (perhaps 500GB, or
similar), then the amount of space USED on your drive.
(maybe 80Gb, or something like this).

The amount of USED space on your hard-drive determines what size of external drive you will need. In the scenario at (4), you'd be looking at backing up to at least a 100Gb drive (the extra 20Gb allows the files to "swap" freely, without system lag).

If you take the time to have a look on you pc as it stands at the moment, click on START / ALL PROGRAMS / ACCESSORIES / SYSTEM TOOLS / FILES & SETTINGS TRANSFER WIZARD, and try to familiarise yourself with the basics of it. When you are ready to do the backup of your XP system, click the buttons, and follow the walk-through. Remember that your XP setup is your OLD COMPUTER for the purposes of beginning the backup. Follow the screens until it starts to transfer everything to your backup drive, and leave it until it has completed (it's a good idea to go make yourself a wee cup of tea and a sarnie while it's doing it). At the end of the process, you will get a message telling you that TRANSFER IS COMPLETE (or something similar). Uncouple the back up drive from your computer, then begin upgrading to your new operating system. When your shiny new OS is installed, simply reverse the process of EASY TRANSFER, this time telling the computer that THIS IS THE NEW COMPUTER. It will then start to pull all your files and settings off the external drive for you. Again, it's tea and sarnie-time!! It sounds complex, but in reality, you will wonder what the fuss was all about, it's so easy!

As for Skype's new integration, all it does really is add your Hotmail Contacts to your skype contacts. From there, you'd never really notice the difference.

I dont think so, what's the best one to get?

My feeling is, considering the questions you are asking, you'd be as well finding a local computer shop to advise you. Whilst there is a good deal of computer knowldege on this forum, we are primarily a photographic one and I wouldn't like to think of you getting into a bit of a mess with this proposed upgrade.

OK thanks very much