7 Things I Like About Windows 7

With Christmas only a couple weeks away, it’s time I cover some of the reasons you should consider using Windows 7. If you are buying a new PC for Christmas or are wondering if you should retire Windows XP and take the upgrade plunge on your existing PC, here is a quick summary of why I like Windows 7.

1. Faster startup and shutdown – One of my computers takes several minutes to finish loading everything in Windows XP. Shutting down takes almost as long. That same system boots Windows 7 in well under a minute. Shutting down takes just a few seconds. Granted, it is important to be able to use the computer but I am a pretty impatient guy when it comes to my computer. When I decide to turn it on (or simply wake it up), I want to get busy, not wait for the computer to get it together. Same thing goes with shutting down: when I am done, I want it to go to sleep. Windows 7 is much improved on both ends.
2. Friendlier Taskbar – Hover the mouse over an application icon and you will see realtime previews. If you have several web sites open in Internet Explorer, hover the mouse, and see previews of each page. To open the one you want, just hover over it. Notice, not one mouse click.
3. Pin frequently used programs to the taskbar – When you hover over the pinned icon, you will see a “jump list” of common commands. In Microsoft Word you see the most recent documents opened, for Internet Explorer see web sites recently visited.
4. Go to the Library – In the olden days, Microsoft wanted you to save all your photos in the (My) Pictures folder. Same with music, documents, and videos. In Windows 7, Libraries allow you to save these items in a variety of folders (even shared on the network). The Libraries give you one central point to find everything. Think of this feature like the old card catalog at a real library. You don’t scan the shelves hoping to run across what you need, you start at the card catalog, get the details, and grab the item off the correct shelf. Same principle with the Windows 7 Libraries.
5. Touch and multitouch – If you’ve used an iPhone, you know what I’m talking about. Of course, you need a display that supports it, but touch is a lot of fun. Touch has been available for some time but it always felt like an add-on. With Windows 7, it is fully integrated in the operating system.
6. Improved and (finally useful) User Account Control – UAC is much less intrusive. No longer will it bug you to death with multiple, “Are you sure you want to do that?” prompts. You Windows XP users have probably heard horrer stories. UAC makes much more sense now.
7. The Device Stage – Makes it easier to seamlessly manage phones, printers, mp3 players, cameras, etc. that you connect to your computer.

So there’s my summary. Seven things I really like about Windows 7. Now for the big question: Should I upgrade my XP or Vista system?

Let’s start with Vista first:

1. If your reasonably-new Vista system came with a free upgrade to Windows 7, do it. Please back up your data and follow all the instructions included with the upgrade.
2. Assuming you do not get the free upgrade, if you are happy with the way your Vista computer works, save yourself some money and keep Vista.
3. If you are not real happy with Vista AND you see that Windows 7 solves some of your concerns, it may be worth your time & money to buy the upgrade. Back up your data.
4. Either way, don’t forget to back up your data.

Now, if you have Windows XP systems, the situation is a bit more involved:

1. Make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements. The more it exceeds those minimums, the happier you will be. Run Microsoft’s Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to check compatibility
2. Make sure you locate the installation files for all your applications (Microsoft Office, etc.).
3. With Windows XP, you cannot do a simple “upgrade” to Windows 7. You actually need to perform what Microsoft calls a custom or clean installation. This means you will:
1. Back up your files and settings. Microsoft provides a free tool called Windows Easy Transfer that will perform the backup and restoring of your personal files but not the installed applications.
2. Install Windows 7
3. Restore all your personal files
4. Re-install all your applications

NOTE: During this process, all of the data on your hard drive will be erased so you must back up all your personal files.

If you are not sure whether upgrading makes sense, ask me. Rather than buying a single license, consider buying the Windows 7 Upgrade Family Pack – upgrade 3 PCs for about $150. And then back up your data.

Stephen
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