Although I’ve been testing, using and writing about Windows 7 since last year, it has only been on the market 2 weeks. In those two weeks, I have setup 8 or 10 new machines already.
The setup is much faster than Vista, but I’m already getting that same ‘ol, same ‘ol feeling about it as I did with Windows Vista and Office 2007. I don’t doubt that Microsoft went back to the drawing board and tweaked and improved Windows, but overall it really is just Vista, done correctly. Plus the machines it is being released on are monsters: dual and quad core processors, 4, 6, and 8 GB of RAM and fast, capable video processors as well.
I really think the improvements in usability will be completely lost by the majority of average computer users. Pinning programs to the taskbar, jump lists, using the integrated search, file libraries, Home Groups, shaking and pushing Windows to screen edges will go largely unused. As for security improvements, we will have to wait and see how that works out in the upcoming months.
Many of the new systems coming off of shelves include the 64bit version of Windows 7, but already we are seeing incompatibilities with this version and existing software. Some of the problems can be rectified by downloading patches or upgrades from vendor web sites. And others don’t have solutions yet.
If you use any kind of specialized software or are reliant on any software package, check to see if it is compatible with both 32 & 64 bit Windows 7. If not, check when will it be compatible, or what steps must you take to make it compatible. You should be able to find all this information by visiting the software publisher’s web site.
Regarding security software, my current plan is to install Microsoft Security Essentials for all new installations. It runs fast, and from all indications protects as well as any other security product…and it’s free.
There isn’t any reason to get a new computer with XP or Vista (both of which are possible if your really want them) since Windows 7 works well overall. However, if you are not attached to or specifically require a particular piece of Windows software, I continue to encourage folks to think about Ubuntu or Mac as viable options.
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My thoughts exactly Rick. I have noticed that my system does not lock up any more when I run some XP compatible programs that did not run right on Vista. The changes are pretty subtle and most will not notice the difference. Upgrade took about 4 hours.
4 hours?!! Don’t you think that’s a bit ridiculous? Microsoft themselves say to plan on up to 20 hours! I know OS upgrades are intensive…but installing a Windows upgrade is like brain surgery long. Did you think about a clean install? Glad to hear about the XP programs…is that using the XP mode in the Pro or Ultimate edition?
I was thinking about a clean install, but, having to re-install programs and then do the updates, finding all of the original install disks, etc., the four hours seemed like a bargain.
I’m using the Home Premium edition and have not had to use the Compatibility mode, the programs have been running fine without it, unlike in Vista.
Good to hear about less problems running older apps. How has performance been compared to Vista?
Interesting that you’re dumping AVG for Security Essentials… I’ll keep that in mind.
I think you nailed in on the head though, that if you don’t need a windows specific application, the move to Ubuntu or Mac is a smart choice.
I had the privilege and honor of transferring files from a PC to a MAC (R.I.P. PC) and it was as painless as could be. Only thing I couldn’t do was transfer emails from Outlook Express 6.0 … seems that version is a bit too old even for Mac 🙂
Seems that the trend is toward Macs right now.
Thanks for keeping us updated on Windows 7
Thanks for comment. Yep, the MSE seems to protect very well and has a small footprint, requires zero interaction from the user once setup, and costs nothing. So far, so good. Regarding transferring your email, I have one for you: Gmail. 🙂
All I know is that Windows 7 closes the gap on OS X. I seriously cannot find too much wrong with. Actually there is one thing:
Activation and upgrading.
I personally haven’t had any trouble at all with it, but in listening to Windows Weekly for the past two weeks it seems that the Windows guru, Paul Thurott, says that there are a ton of problems with it and that Microsoft is doing hardly anything to help consumers.
Are you having any trouble with upgrading and doing in-place upgrades on any machines?
You are a Google fanboy like me and spend a lot of time in the cloud, it seems. For that reason, the OS means less to us. I haven’t done any upgrades except my own clean install so far..all the rest have been new setups. Overall, 7 appears to be a good start, but I’m waiting to see how security issues turn out. I was disappointed that when I left a house on Friday, Windows 7 was already downloading 23 updates!! Seems kind of high to me for a product that has been in public beta for nearly a year!
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A friend just bought a brand new computer, HP with Vista on it, but it comes with a free upgrade to Windows 7? Is the upgrade something she can do herself or should someone with lots more computer knowledge do it for her? Does the upgrade come with step by step instructions for the basic home user?
I would suggest backing up the data and giving the upgrade a try. If the data is backed up, you can’t lose anything but a little time. I always prefer installing an operating system from scratch, but many people get by just fine with an upgrade. The instructions are pretty easy to follow…just read all your options thoroughly as you move through the upgrade screens.
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