Windows XP or Windows 7?

[SS1389]

Hey guys,

I'm wondering if I should upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Thanks in advance!

[Zren]

What is your current PC's specs?

[SS1389]

Microsoft Windows XP - Service Pack 3
Intel Core 2 Duo
6420RPM @ 2.13 GHz
2GB DDR2 RAM

[rdrake]

Benefits include a modern operating system that's not 9 years old.

I tend to use the new taskbar a lot. That and the omni search start menu for opening programs I haven't pinned. Libraries are also quite nice, as are jump lists. The new ways to instantly resize and move windows are also very nice.

UAC is still there and annoying, but less so than in Vista.

Really you must decide if it's worth the upgrade cost or if you should just wait it out and get Win 7 with the next computer you purchase. Of course if you're a university student you can probably get Win 7 for dirt cheap or even free.

[unoho]

rdrake @ Tue Nov 30, 2010 5:54 pm wrote:

The new ways to instantly resize and move windows are also very nice.

VERY VERY NICE!! actually that's the only thing that found REALLY amazing..how windows snap together..i use that a lot when im working w/ more than two windows..just drag and it snaps...taskbar is also nice since u cud c the live preview and it seems much cleaner than vista or xp.

[Amailer]

Windows 7 if you have the money to upgrade.

[ProgrammingFun]

Amailer @ Tue Nov 30, 2010 6:10 pm wrote:

Windows 7 if you have the money to upgrade.

Yes definately, in the early days, Microsoft was offering XP to 7 upgrade deals of ~$50 (not sure if those are still in effect though I don't think so)
You could see this for comparison: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/versions.aspx
Windows 7 features a lot of eye-candy and easy-to-use interfaces for the user and therefore, is way more visually appealing...
However, I would recommend upgrading your RAM for a better experience....

[SS1389]

This shows you how to turn off UAC.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I will definitely look into it.

[Dan]

SS1389 @ 30th November 2010, 6:32 pm wrote:

This shows you how to turn off UAC.

Turining off UAC is a rather bad idea if you like seucirty.

[SS1389]

Security?

[Tony]

Hey, all the right letters were there

[ProgrammingFun]

SS1389 @ Tue Nov 30, 2010 7:41 pm wrote:

Security?

You should see:

http://wiki.compsci.ca/index.php?title=Hacker_Dan#Hacker_Danish

http://wiki.compsci.ca/index.php?title=Dictionary_of_Dan

[TheGuardian001]

You can choose the second to lowest setting (The one in the last screenshot that link has,) which enables UAC without the "Stop everything while I dim your screen" mode, which seems to be a nice compromise.

The main reason I never upgraded from XP was that Vista had a lot of irritating little bugs/features. Win7 removes or fixes most of those. I see no reason not to upgrade.

[SS1389]

Not quite amusing at all...

Yeah. I think I'll probably get the upgrade.

[Dan]

TheGuardian001 @ 30th November 2010, 8:10 pm wrote:

You can choose the second to lowest setting (The one in the last screenshot that link has,) which enables UAC without the "Stop everything while I dim your screen" mode, which seems to be a nice compromise.

The "dim screen" is aucataly the Secure Desktop. It is imporntant as it pervents programs from controlling the mouse, keyboard or maniplating the desktop in such a say that an automated program could be used to click the "OK" button with out the users consent.

The pop-ups them self asking for permsions are imporant as in many cases they give that program administration rights. It is a rought equilivent of "sudo" on linux.


It seems part of the problem is that Windows users are not used to having to elavate a program's security privileges and are used to basicly runing as root. On most *nix distrobutions I have come across, the idea of having to install new software as a user with higher privileges is common place, tho just as easly disabled and ill-advised as in Windows.