Whether you’re running on PC or an office full of them, the new version of Windows could make your computing life more productive – and more fun.
WINDOWS 7 is the operating system everyone hoped Vista would be. It irons out the problems of its predecessor, it’s easier to use, and it works more efficiently. And it’s now available both with new PCs and as an upgrade.
Before you take the plunge, you’ll want to know exactly what Windows 7 has to offer and the best way to get it. We aim to answer those questions in detail in this guide.
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WHAT’S YOUR SIZE?
Windows Vista came in quite a few editions, which made it tricky to identify the one best suited to your needs. With Windows 7 your choice is simpler. There are just three main editions – Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate – plus a stripped–down Starter Edition, which will only be sold pre-installed on netbooks.
We look at exactly what’s in each edition in chapter 5. As you’d expect, more features are added as you go up the ladder, and a crucial point to note is that none of the higher versions loses anything. For example, the Business edition of Vista lacked the Media Center home entertainment function, which was frustrating if you ever wanted to play media on a work machine. Windows 7 Professional does have Media Center, just like Home Premium and Ultimate.
Home Premium will be the best choice for most users. The Professional edition adds features for businnes networks, while Ultimate has everything (including BitLocker drive encryption to keep data confidential) for those who don’t mind paying extra to get the maximum functionality.
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
We’ve mentioned some of the ways in which Windows 7 improves on previous versions, but let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Here are our top 10 reasons to go for it.
- It’ faster than Vista with the same hardware requirements
Windows Vista offered lots of new features compared to XP, but it tended to slow down over time, and simple jobs such as installing an application could take ages. These problems have mostly been fixed. You’ll find Windows 7 doesn’t get so bogged down, and will generally start up and install programs as quickly as it did the first day.
We're all accustomed to upgraded versions of software demanding better hardware, so it’s a pleasant surprise that Windows 7 has the same requirements as Vista. If you’re got a Vista PC, you’ll be able to run the new OS, Even if you’re still on XP, your machine can probably run Windows 7 with little or on upgrading. Check your PC’s capabilities by running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which will tell you straight away if it’s up to scratch.
The best and easiest way to get Windows 7, though, is to buy a new PC. You’ll be amazed what you can get for your money these days, and it’s the most cost-effective way to upgrade to the new operating system. - It’s easier to use
Windows has always been pretty easy to use, but with Windows / it’s noticeably better again. New features include Jump Lists, which let you quickly access recent folders, music, videos and more. The improved Taskbar makes it even easier to launch and switch between applications. - There’s less clutter
Besides the operating system itself, Windows has come equipped with an ever-expanding set of programs to get you started. With Windows 7, the basic installation includes everything you need, but no more. Extra applications, such as Photo Gallery, are instead available to download free of charge from http://home.live.com . This means Windows 7 is leaner than Vista out the box, and you can choose whether to get your everyday programs from Microsoft or other makers. - Libraries help organise your files
Libraries are an interesting new way to make sense of all the stuff on your system. Simply put, a Library is a collection of folders that needn’t all be in the same place; so, for example, you can add folders from all over your hard disk to the Documents Library and access them all from there.
There are Libraries for Music, Videos and Photos by default, and you can also create your own. - It works with the latest video standards
Today's tapeless HD camcorders use the AVCHD format for their digital video files. Importing these should be dead easy, but until now it’s meant fiddling around with extra software. With 6HD support built in, Windows 7 lets you connect your camcorder to your PC and transfer video straight away. As a bonus, it also means Freesat HD is supported, so with a suitable dish you get free hgh-definition TV on your PC without needing a set-top box to decode it. - You can make full use of a touchscreen
More and more PCs (both laptops and desktop) have touchscreens that respond to your fingers, like an iPhone. Windows 7 can take full advantage, letting you use multi-touch gestures such as pinching two fingers to zoom in and out. Now that this is built into the operating system, touch looks set to take off as a common way to interact with your computer. - Proper backup software is built in
Windows Vista offered “image-based” backup, which saves the entire contents of your computer, including all your documents, files and applications. Unfortunately, it was only included in the Ultimate edition. Windows 7 provides it in every edition, so you get powerful backup with a couple of clicks. In the event of a problem with your Pc, you can restore an image backup to get it working just like it was before thing went wrong. - You can switch editions when you like
OK, we’ve already mentioned Anytime Upgrade, but it really is very handy. Once you’ve chosen your edition of Windows 7, if you later realise you need a higher version, you can stump up the cost of the upgrade online and unlock those features instantly by typing in a new licence key. - HomeGroup makes networking a doddle
You’ve got more than one PC, and they both connect to your router, but they won’t talk to each other. Sound familiar? With Windows 7, Microsoft has finally managed to make networking just about foolproof. The HomeGroup feature lets you decide which files, media and printers you want to share with your other machines, and then (as long as they’re al on Windows 7) it just works. - Windows XP is on the way out
Some businesses have stuck with Windows because of concerns about the cost and hassle of upgrading. Microsoft has already moved Windows XP out of its ‘mainstream support’ phase and into ‘extended support’, which means it will still issue essential security patches but won’t update the product any further. You can’t buy XP any more, and it will disappear from new PCs this year. All supporter will end in 2014. So it’s really time to move on. To help you do it, the Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7 have an optional Windows 7 Mode to solve any compatibility glitches with existing software.
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