Windows 7 is way better than Vista

Published 4:00 pm Sunday, February 28, 2010

There’s no disputing. Windows 7 is way better than Vista. It’s worth upgrading. Jump on the bandwagon sooner rather than later. Any new PC will come with Windows 7 installed.

There are several editions of Windows 7, so do your homework before you buy the software. These are the editions from least to greatest functionality: Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. The Microsoft Web site provides checklists to compare editions. Also, the site has a “Windows 7 Compatibility Center” to show hundreds of applications and whether they run on Windows 7.

To dispel any fears of incompatibility, see the good news in number 9 below. Technicians say that most PC users can install an upgrade from Vista, but an upgrade from an earlier version is more complicated and should be done by a professional. (To upgrade from a Windows 7 edition you’ve already installed, buy Windows Anytime Upgrade. No installation. Simply enter the product key to enable more features.)

Microsoft offers Top Ten Reasons to use Win 7. I’m not likely to use some of the featuresat least not yet. I don’t have a monitor with a touch screen, so I can’t use the “touch and tap” feature. I don’t watch much TV so being able to watch free TV shows on Windows Media Center is not inviting. I’m not eager to create movies and slideshows to post on YouTube, but you never knowI could become hooked!

On the other hand, there are many things I really like.

1. Speed, reliability, and compatibility. Windows 7 can go to sleep quickly and later resume quickly. It works with a larger set of software and devices. Search results pop up faster. USB devices can be ready in seconds.

2. Your PC is better protected. See fewer system messages and alerts while still benefitting from world-class security. Internet Explorer 8 enhancements offer more protection when browsing the web.

3. Manage devices more easily. Manage printers, cameras, music players, and other devices from a single, consistent place.

4. Share among multiple PCs. Easily share files, music, photos, and printers across your home network.

5. Improved backups. Schedule file backups and system image backups.

6. Get quicker access to all your stuff. For example, click the Start button and type a few letters to search quickly and powerfully for a program or file anywhere on your network. You don’t have to remember where things are. The Taskbar along the bottom of the screen is more important than before; therefore, you don’t have to go back to the Desktop to start applications. You pin icons of your favorite applications on the Taskbar. Rearrange the icons by dragging them. Each application has a Jump List to keep frequently used programs and files handy. You can pushpin a document to the Jump List so it is always there. There are other clever features like Snap, Peek, Shake, Gadgets, and the Snipping Tool.

7. Parental controls let you restrict when and how your children use the computer. Create separate accounts which you manage in detail.

8. Remote Media Streaming allows you to play your PC’s media (photos, videos, music) from a PC at another location.

9. Virtual XP. Run a virtual copy of Windows XP. “Virtual” means that a minimum of XP functionality is running, not the entire OS. You can run older programs that are compatible with XP but not Windows 7. (This feature is not available in Home Premium.)

Microsoft created many excellent demo videos to help you get started. Download user guides in PDF format. Embrace Windows 7. Questions? Send me an e-mail.

Jane Francis is the owner of Personal Computer Training, serving the North Coast. For more information contact her by calling (503) 470-0885 or email jane@personalcomputertraining.us.