Okay, that’s get it clear from the start….I am in love with Windows 7….no, really I am….and to be quite honest I wouldn’t have thought that I would ever hear myself say those words ever about a Microsoft product, but there you go.
But I guess after Windows Vista anything has gotta be good so maybe my judgment is clouded just a little. Even so I didn’t have that same initial reaction when I first used Windows 7 that I did with Vista. For Vista, I sat cursing for the first couple of hours as I removed all the bells and whistles and most of the security features…only then did it finally became usable.
With Windows 7 on the other hand, I was immediately taken aback at how basic it all is.
When I hit the desktop for the first time there were a couple of icons on the screen and nothing else – no clocks, or menus or anything else to slow the start-up of the system. Even so, when I first started using it, I was still slightly suspicious about it all – I mean who wouldn’t be….this is Microsoft we’re talking about. But the more I played around with it, the more I realised how good this operating system really is.
As a blogger, sitting at my computer is pretty much a full-time occupation so having the best tools at my disposal is a must.
Both Vista and XP were developed without really thinking of the user and when they WERE actually thinking of the user they were thinking of EVERY user so that the system was bloated with all sorts of features that really weren’t necessary.
Windows 7 is simple and to the point. It’s what you need to get the job done and that’s exactly what I need.
What I Like about Windows 7
- There are less clicks to get things done on Windows 7. For instance the Show Desktop button is now to the far right on the task bar. And I absolutely love the Shutdown button. You know what happens when you click it?….it shuts down! Amazing huh?! It doesn’t ask me if I am sure I want to shut down….it just shuts down. And there is only one click to actually get to that button unlike Vista which takes me three clicks to get to it.
- Split Screen – sure you can split screens with Vista and XP but Windows 7 does it so much easier. Simply drag one browser window to the far right and another window to the far left – it will automatically split them. Or you can use the Windows key and press the left and right arrow keys. Or even better, right click on the Taskbar and select ‘Show Windows Side by Side. I like the split screen option – I can be a little more productive in a lot of my tasks using split screen.
- The pin option makes things a lot easier too. If you want to add something to the taskbar for instance, just right click on the program and click Pin to Taskbar.
- Windows Explorer is also arranged a little more neatly.
Despite the fact that I really like Windows 7, it does have its flaws. For instance for some reason it doesn’t come with an email program – you have to download it. Not a huge issue but for people with slow connections and limited downloads, they may find this annoying.
Also the taskbar is not as straight forward as it once was. For instance, say I have Firefox open but I want to open up a new instance of Firefox. I can’t just click the Firefox icon on the taskbar to do that as all it will do is open the same window. The only way I can open a new window is to right click on the icon and click ‘Firefox’ in the pop-up menu.
But despite these couple of negatives I am finding Windows 7 a joy to work with. It just sits there in the background while I work unlike Vista which would intrude on everything I did.
This is what an operating system should be like and I love it.
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When I read your opening bit about loving Windows 7, my initial thought was “I bet she is only saying that because she used Vista!” Then I read the bit after it. :D
I personally never used Vista. I stayed with XP, like a bitter old man who refuses to acknowledge change. :P
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Well I think you did the right thing staying with XP. I kept XP on my desktop computer but had Vista on my laptop. I regretted getting Vista for the laptop but now that I have my new desktop computer with Windows 7 I am thinking of upgrading the laptop to Windows 7.
Windows 7 is very good, i love it. My favorite features are taskbar, multi-monitor shortcut keys and windows handling, and aero flip. It is more stable and faster than any other windows.
I’d have to agree Ramesh. It does appear to be more stable and yes definitely faster than other versions.
I’m one of those rare people who had few problems with Vista. My issues were with the Microsoft Office version that followed it. Why they nixed Outlook I will never know, but it did finally force me to use gmail. I had some issues on my wife’s laptop with Vista, but not one issue with my desktop.
I will probably not upgrade until I purchase a new computer. That has been my pattern with the last two versions. I seriously might go with a Mac for the next laptop, but I haven’t decided. I’m glad to hear a good review of Windows 7 though.
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I am the same Brad. I generally don’t upgrade until I get a new computer which is why I have Windows 7. Me and Wanda were getting tired of our very slow computers so went and bought two Dell computers for the business. I am in heaven with it as it is so much faster than the old computer.
I dunno, I must be the luckiest man alive lol. Aside from a compatibility issue or two, I have never; n e v e r had even an inkling of the issues that have seemed to plague everyone else with Vista.
In fact, when I was shopping for a new computer and heard MS was starting to pre-load machines with 7, and knowing MS as well as I do, I purposely picked a Vista machine quick as a flash. LOL
I’ll have to look deeper into 7.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Blogging Halted Here – Don’t Despair, This Is A Good Thing! =-.
Vista never caused any issues – it was just one big issue…that was until I removed most of the non-essential stuff. Then it was fine.
Oh … as a self admitted technophobe I get nervous any time there is something new to learn. LOL. But I do always seem to manage (maybe with a bit less hair and what’s left is grey LOL) … thanks for explaining the differences. I did just get a new laptop so I’m assuming it’s got the old one on there since nothing seems different to me. How’s that for not knowing what I’m doing with computers. I sit down and do the same routine and hope nothing goes wrong. *SmiLes*
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LOL – well it’s probably likely you are still using XP or Vista then on your new laptop. When it comes down to it, as long as everything is working for you, that’s all that matters.
Now that’s a really complete review with likes, dislikes and tips. I have yet to get W7 installed but I plan to get that done sometime this month. I am still an XP user, heard the stories about Vista so never ventured into it.
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Well I don’t think you missed anything by not going to Vista. A lot of businesses have done the same thing – they have stayed with XP and are going to go straight into Windows 7, skipping Vista altogether.
Honestly, I have Vista 64 on all of my PCs and Windows 7, whether it actually lives up to the hype or not, has to be better.
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I think you will like Windows 7 Gabe. It just does the job without all the flash and fancy stuff.
Windows 7 ROCKS. Give it 4 star.
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