Convince Me To Upgrade To Windows 7 From Xp!

[Ajaan]

I still run Windows XP for specific purposes, and I will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Hardware is not an issue for me, since I use XP on a virtual machine on my Mac, using Parallels. Of course, I use a far superior operating system (Mac) for most purposes, but there are still some things that it's useful to run XP for.

[poanoi]

I'm unlikely to buy any hard/soft ware that require win7,

and at the same time it's a good bet some of my programs/games won't run on win7,

alas i'm keeping XP

[h90]

I'm not real technical, but recently went to Win 7 from XP...kicking and screaming. Now? I love it. I've never had it crash...use to get the blue screen of death all the time on Win 7. Networking seems easier. Overall, IMHO, a better interface. I'm quite happy.

I think Win 8 needs another year to settle in. I hate to be on the (bleeding) edge.

There is one thing: Often people go from their old dirty WinXP to Win7. Than it feels fresh and fast.

BUT a new installation of WinXP would be also more stable and fast than the old WinXP installation.

[h90]

Many people have said "if its not broke don't mend it", well that is true of a house hold appliance like a washing machine. But a computer is not like that. Using the washing machine as an example what happens if suddenly your washing powder changes and wont work in your old machine.

Win XP is well over 10 years old, in fact it was launched in 2001, now computer hardware has advanced massively over that period of time. As have storage solutions, printers, home media players etc.

What you will find going forward is that if you buy a new printer you are unlikely to find it coming with Win XP drivers, same with software, increasingly software makers are dropping support for Win XP, after all they have to support Win Vista, Win 7, Win 8, Mac, and a host of Smart phones. So the cost of supporting Xp is massive for them, once MS ends there support you will find most software companies will also.

For example .net 4.5 does not support XP properly as many developers use .net as a platform it means there apps wont work properly or at all on XP. If you get a new machine they you will already find that there wont be drivers for it.

You asked what you will gain:. Well Win 7 is a much more polished operating (OS), the file manage is a lot better and easier to use. Sharing files between 2 win 7 machines is easy. All software will work, as will all printers. It is not difficult to learn. It works well with modern hardware and is fast and have a lot more customisation features. Its easier to link Win 7 to other devices round the house such as TV's etc. Whilst today this might not be important to you it is going to get important,

What about Win 8, forget it, its difficult to use, unless you have a touch screen, it does not use windows all the Metro UI tiles open in to full screen you have to move to the top left or right corner to go any where else. Just horrible.

I am an IT professional, and love playing with new software an OS's but not Win 8.

Some people have suggested us a Linux version, I agree depending upon what you want to do then something like Ubuntu or Mint (flavors of Linux) are great they come will all the software most home users need. Yes there is a small learning curve, but its worth it for a product that is free and likely always to be, almost all software that runs on Linix is also free.

if you machine is the same age an XP then you wont be able to upgrade as Win 7 does need fairly modern hardware, say at least a 1.6 Ghz dual core CPU and 3 Gb of RAM, I would always recommend 8 Gb and a 64 Bit OS, this will pay off in time.

If you go to the Ubuntu web site. (www,ubuntu.com), you will find that you can down load a CD version of Ubuntu that will run of a CD with out damaging your XP installation this allows you to try and play with it before committing your self.

Good luck.

Well on the productivity in the office I can't see any difference between Windows 2000, WinXP and Win7. Just Win7 looks better. But on the usual Word, Excel, Email Accounting software applications I don't see any advantage.

[laislica]

There is no logical reason to upgrade, unless you have to.

Having to, means there are no XP drivers for your hardware or you NEED 64 bit.

I have both and prefer XP by a wide margin. There are still far too many bugs in 7 and far far too much eye candy. 7 is much harder to tame than XP. Microsoft is making it harder and harder to tweak the OS to work your way, thereby forcing the official M$ view on everyone.

Linux looks better with every new M$ release.

On a windows 7 OS create a new folder

Name the folder:: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Now open the folder and see more that 250 commands, all nicely grouped, to help you tweak away.

There is actually nothing in the folder, it's all magic, created by some MS techs to make their life easier when looking where to find the tweaks.

But hey, be careful out there.....

[vijer]

Don't bother with win 7. Go to. Win 8 and relax for few more years

Well that of course is a matter of opinion. In my opinion Win 8 sucks rocks. The worst UI on the planet forced onto users because Microsoft thinks everyone will be using touch devices so the PC should look like the horrible Windows phone. Unless your hardware can handle Windows 7 don't bother. And if you are thinking of buying a new computer then ask for Windows 7, but in Thailand you need to ask if it's genuine and not a copy.

Better yet the OP says he is a casual user and it sounds like he probably only uses his PC for the internet and email so I would switch to Lynx, its free and nobody needs crappy Internet Explorer so he can install Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc. all of which are superior. And all the open source office applications work great, the only down side is learning your way around the interface.

But then again, if you're a casual user and you just surf the internet and check email and XP isn't broken just keep using it.

[innerspace]

Don't bother with win 7. Go to. Win 8 and relax for few more years

Well that of course is a matter of opinion. In my opinion Win 8 sucks rocks. The worst UI on the planet forced onto users because Microsoft thinks everyone will be using touch devices so the PC should look like the horrible Windows phone. Unless your hardware can handle Windows 7 don't bother. And if you are thinking of buying a new computer then ask for Windows 7, but in Thailand you need to ask if it's genuine and not a copy.

Better yet the OP says he is a casual user and it sounds like he probably only uses his PC for the internet and email so I would switch to Lynx, its free and nobody needs crappy Internet Explorer so he can install Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc. all of which are superior. And all the open source office applications work great, the only down side is learning your way around the interface.

But then again, if you're a casual user and you just surf the internet and check email and XP isn't broken just keep using it.

I wouldnt switch to lynx. It smells good but doesnt work too well as an operating system.

Linux is great, use it daily, but not (yet) right for everyone.

7 has a lot more going for it than just the looks. It is an altogether better OS than XP, though doesnt have as many years of testing and stability improvements of course.

8 appears another ME/ Vista... good concepts, done badly, work in progress sold to the world.

I have used everything from windows 3.1 to 8 and now prefer linux. But 95, xp and vista were all impressive at their times. The rest... not so much.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[laislica]

So, say that you decide to keep XP after all.

Then comes the day that MS stop their support.

Only have the internet connected when you need it.

If it's connected via CAT5, unplug the cable.

Assuming that you have ADSL and it gives dynamic IP addresses:

Switch the ADSL modem off regularly, this should automatically give you a new IP address when you put the modem on again.

This helps to reduce various types of internet attack.

Don't visit dodgy sites, don't download games and various gizmo's, the machine may faithfully see you out!

I know someone in Spain who has an ancient laptop with XP, No service packs or updates of any kind.

He uses it for dial up email from time to time - never had a problem, he doesn't surf, visit dodgy sites etc.

Hasn't got firewall, antivirus - nothing, still never had a problem.

Of course it may get problems but what the heck.

[vijer]

Don't bother with win 7. Go to. Win 8 and relax for few more years

Well that of course is a matter of opinion. In my opinion Win 8 sucks rocks. The worst UI on the planet forced onto users because Microsoft thinks everyone will be using touch devices so the PC should look like the horrible Windows phone. Unless your hardware can handle Windows 7 don't bother. And if you are thinking of buying a new computer then ask for Windows 7, but in Thailand you need to ask if it's genuine and not a copy.

Better yet the OP says he is a casual user and it sounds like he probably only uses his PC for the internet and email so I would switch to Lynx, its free and nobody needs crappy Internet Explorer so he can install Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc. all of which are superior. And all the open source office applications work great, the only down side is learning your way around the interface.

But then again, if you're a casual user and you just surf the internet and check email and XP isn't broken just keep using it.

I wouldnt switch to lynx. It smells good but doesnt work too well as an operating system.

Linux is great, use it daily, but not (yet) right for everyone.

7 has a lot more going for it than just the looks. It is an altogether better OS than XP, though doesnt have as many years of testing and stability improvements of course.

8 appears another ME/ Vista... good concepts, done badly, work in progress sold to the world.

I have used everything from windows 3.1 to 8 and now prefer linux. But 95, xp and vista were all impressive at their times. The rest... not so much.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I agree with the exception of Lynx, I have tried it several times over the years and again just about 3 months ago and I think its pretty good. Especially if all the user is using it for is internet browsing and email. There are some really nice desktops now. I would switch if I didn't have so much invested in Windows software.

[laislica]

If you want to lose a lot of control of your programs/files/etc change to Win7.

It is like an overprotective neurotic parent.

I have 3 HD and have tried Win7 over a year, believing anything new must be better..All back to XP now.

Google is full of despairing users and I guess they are not all half-wits.

Well that is exactly the issue i have with gf pc, no wonder the search function was expanded, it HAS to

since everything is hidden away

As posted before:

On a windows 7 OS create a new folder

Name the folder::

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Now open the folder and see more that 250 commands, all nicely grouped, to help you tweak away.

Though I add, use search to find what you are looking for - real fast then. Type in a key word and the command list shrinks to make finding what you need easier.

I think that it's virtually every thing available in the control panel, but easier to find.

Another poster has told you how to turn off User Access Control

For file access, right click start and open windows explorer go to the tools >folder options>view and set file access how you'd like it. Now you can see everything, even hidden system files, just like XP.

Even if you give yourself access to the system files and then accidently move one, 7 usually corrects that for you, but be careful.

Edited April 25, 2013 by laislica

[sanga]

For a new Hardware use a new Windows Version Windows 7 or 8

For a old Hardware use XP

[Rorri]

Windows XP is just fine with your old hardware and upgrading it does not make any sense. If you buy a new notebook, it will have Windows 8 already.

Most reviews indicate win 8 as being a failure, bit like Win Me and Vista. Chances are that if you upgrade to Win 7 you may need to upgrade some hardware, far better to keep your Win XP machine, see if you can borrow a win7 laptop or PC, if you find you really want a Win 7 pc, buy/build a new one. There is another option, providing you DO NOT want to fiddle with default settings, try Linux Mint, this OS is FREE (as are updates), very stable, very secure against viruses, and a hell of a lot of free software. Warning, it is NOT a windows OS, so your windows program will NOT run on it. I use it for most day today computing, but also have Win7 on a separate partition, main for business use.

[bobl]

Absolutely no issues going from xp to 7. You couldn't pay me enough to use Vista or 8.0 but xp and 7, no problem...

Sent from my Sinclair ZX80 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand pigeon post app

[nikster]

So, say that you decide to keep XP after all.

Then comes the day that MS stop their support.

Only have the internet connected when you need it.

If it's connected via CAT5, unplug the cable.

Assuming that you have ADSL and it gives dynamic IP addresses:

Switch the ADSL modem off regularly, this should automatically give you a new IP address when you put the modem on again.

This helps to reduce various types of internet attack.

Don't visit dodgy sites, don't download games and various gizmo's, the machine may faithfully see you out!

I know someone in Spain who has an ancient laptop with XP, No service packs or updates of any kind.

He uses it for dial up email from time to time - never had a problem, he doesn't surf, visit dodgy sites etc.

Hasn't got firewall, antivirus - nothing, still never had a problem.

Of course it may get problems but what the heck.

I am always running my Windows installs without AV software, the snake oil of the software industry.

You don't need AV software if you follow some very simple rules:

- Get your email via Gmail or another service that removes viruses. Gmail also removes all the spam so good thing

- Never use IE - only Chrome or Firefox

- Turn off Java

- Don't visit porn or warez sites.

- Don't download porn or warez. Actually porn is usually OK but play it with a 3rd party player like VLC or MPlayer, and never, ever download "additional codecs" or something like that. Warez = full of viruses and trojans, forget about that. Key generators etc... all this stuff installs malware.

- Or sites where it looks like they don't really know what they're doing (e.g. many in Thailand); these won't intentionally infect you with malware but they'll get hacked by others and used as hosts.

Never got a virus this way, and didn't have crapware / scareware that "alerts" me of its own importance every 5 minutes

Firewall software is even more idiotic. If you know what a firewall is you also know that you don't need it. Pure snake oil.

Edited April 26, 2013 by nikster

[Rorri]

Don't bother with win 7. Go to. Win 8 and relax for few more years

Well that of course is a matter of opinion. In my opinion Win 8 sucks rocks. The worst UI on the planet forced onto users because Microsoft thinks everyone will be using touch devices so the PC should look like the horrible Windows phone. Unless your hardware can handle Windows 7 don't bother. And if you are thinking of buying a new computer then ask for Windows 7, but in Thailand you need to ask if it's genuine and not a copy.

Better yet the OP says he is a casual user and it sounds like he probably only uses his PC for the internet and email so I would switch to Lynx, its free and nobody needs crappy Internet Explorer so he can install Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc. all of which are superior. And all the open source office applications work great, the only down side is learning your way around the interface.

But then again, if you're a casual user and you just surf the internet and check email and XP isn't broken just keep using it.

I see many people have mentioned Lynx, but I am sure they mean Linux, Lynx OS is not designed for general use. I would suggest Linux Mint, based on Ubuntu, but comes with more drivers than Ubuntu, which is restricted because of licensing problems in the US. Mint handles dvds mp3s and proprietary drivers out of the box.

Edited April 26, 2013 by Rorri

[h90]

Absolutely no issues going from xp to 7. You couldn't pay me enough to use Vista or 8.0 but xp and 7, no problem... Sent from my Sinclair ZX80 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand pigeon post app

There are some software (like our CNC software) that doesn't like Win7.

(Sent from my Ti 99/4A)

[bobl]

Absolutely no issues going from xp to 7. You couldn't pay me enough to use Vista or 8.0 but xp and 7, no problem... Sent from my Sinclair ZX80 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand pigeon post app

There are some software (like our CNC software) that doesn't like Win7.

(Sent from my Ti 99/4A)

Hmmm... hadn't thought of that, obviously there will be exceptions for the odd app. Only encountered this problem once (I forget, I think it was an app for the management's pager system in a hotel) but was easily fixed by changing the .exe to run in compatibility mode.

[aboctok]

There is no logical reason to upgrade, unless you have to.

Having to, means there are no XP drivers for your hardware or you NEED 64 bit.

I have both and prefer XP by a wide margin. There are still far too many bugs in 7 and far far too much eye candy. 7 is much harder to tame than XP. Microsoft is making it harder and harder to tweak the OS to work your way, thereby forcing the official M$ view on everyone.

Linux looks better with every new M$ release.

Who need facts? Didn't you hear, it's a "no brainer." Who cares if there's any reason to hesitate? It's time to get excited and buy it!!

[OldChinaHam]

Excuse me Jaidee, but have you thought about sticking with XP?

You can go to Opensuse here:

http://software.opensuse.org/123/en

Then you can download for FREE the newest 32 or 64 bit Linux OS.

Burn it to a DVD and install. It is idiot proof and will install a dual boot feature on your computer so that you can continue to use your old XP OS anytime you want, while being able to use the most modern KDE desktop with Opensuse 12.3 when you don't need to use XP, which is probably almost always.

You can't beat it, not even with a stick.

I have been using Suse Opensuse since version 8.1 over 10 years ago and it the best thing since sliced bread.

If you give it a try, you may not want to go back to the old way of computing.

[tinom]

1) If it works, don't fix it..

2) Win7 is a bit more stable than XP

3) If your hardware can offord it, yes, I as a geek would upgrade but surely not from a black market DVD copy, only original to avoid rootkits and some shit they add in their "cooked" versions!

4) I had an excellent result on a basic 1Ghz, 2Gb RAM netbook, as fast with 7 than XP

5) Upgrade to Win8 is not recommended by the author of "Win8 for dummies" but I will not mind having Win8 if pre-installed on a new PC... But what has now "Blue" codename (Win9?) will probably be the standard when I will chang my perfect Asus Zenbook UX31e...

[h90]

Absolutely no issues going from xp to 7. You couldn't pay me enough to use Vista or 8.0 but xp and 7, no problem... Sent from my Sinclair ZX80 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand pigeon post app

There are some software (like our CNC software) that doesn't like Win7.

(Sent from my Ti 99/4A)

Hmmm... hadn't thought of that, obviously there will be exceptions for the odd app. Only encountered this problem once (I forget, I think it was an app for the management's pager system in a hotel) but was easily fixed by changing the .exe to run in compatibility mode.

In this case no. The original software was made in DOS, but with many tricks you can get it to run on WinXP, but only on some computer, some graphic cards.

Than they made an update, which is basically just a modern software which calls the DOS programs. It was made for Win95 and published 2005!!!!!!!!!!!!

It runs without tricks, but it still doesn't like some graphic cards.

The Dongle it uses is plugged into the parallel port, machine is connected on the serial port.

Dongle issue can be resolved but no way it runs on Win 7. It can run in VM, since a year, before Win7 blue screened when you try.

It also does not run on modern computer on WinXP.

the machines cost around 150.000 Euro and may run another couple of years (unfortunately the Siemens electronic also start to fail after a few years.

The machines were built 1989-2000 maybe even a bit later.

[h90]

1) If it works, don't fix it..

2) Win7 is a bit more stable than XP

3) If your hardware can offord it, yes, I as a geek would upgrade but surely not from a black market DVD copy, only original to avoid rootkits and some shit they add in their "cooked" versions!

4) I had an excellent result on a basic 1Ghz, 2Gb RAM netbook, as fast with 7 than XP

5) Upgrade to Win8 is not recommended by the author of "Win8 for dummies" but I will not mind having Win8 if pre-installed on a new PC... But what has now "Blue" codename (Win9?) will probably be the standard when I will chang my perfect Asus Zenbook UX31e...

2) I have actually no crashes with either WinXP or Win7 as long as I don't do complete crazy things.

[laislica]

I have some software that I compiled with Clipper and Blinker back in 95.

I've long since lost the compiler and various link libraries and can't be bothered to rewrite it in an object oriented database language.

It will run in DosBox on Windows 7, so that's what I do.

Load DosBox, mount the driectory with the database in it and run the exe.

No problem

I never progressed beyond DbaseIII and I have no intention of wasting my life learning all over again.

DosBox solved my problem.

Edit:

I have a 64 bit windows 7 BTW.

Edited April 27, 2013 by laislica

[corkythecat]

If you want to lose a lot of control of your programs/files/etc change to Win7.

It is like an overprotective neurotic parent.

I have 3 HD and have tried Win7 over a year, believing anything new must be better..All back to XP now.

Google is full of despairing users and I guess they are not all half-wits.

Its very simple to turn this down or even off, its trying to protect the system from idiots, all these features can be turned off or changed.

Open up Control Panel, and type in “UAC” into the search box. You’ll see a link for “Turn User Account Control (UAC) on or off”:

How simple is that, I Suggest that you send you computer back and use an abacus.

Hi So grateful for your help, perhaps you could help me further

I am running "Python" as an assist to breaking http://users.telenet.be/d.rijmenants/en/challenge.htm

Do you think Win7 will be better..

For the abacus, I wrote a program in C++ to simulate one, i.e. enter the calculation and display the movement of the beads to the final answer. It had some difficulty with imaginary numbers (i).-1(^0.5)

Could you kindly debug for me.?

Edited April 28, 2013 by corkythecat

[corkythecat]

"There are some software (like our CNC software) that doesn't like Win7."

Yes I run UG FEA and Moldflow on XP.

[corkythecat]

"the machines cost around 150.000 Euro and may run another couple of years (unfortunately the Siemens electronic also start to fail after a few years.

The machines were built 1989-2000 maybe even a bit later."

A local retrofitter (vey smart guys) can replace dated controls with Heidenhein, and as programmers here only tickle the capabilities of their CNC equipment, your hardware can last many more years .

[OldChinaHam]

Why don't people just download a Live KDE or Live Gnome from Opensuse here:

http://software.opensuse.org/123/en

This will allow the user to burn a dvd or cd and then have a new OS in about 10 minutes zero work and no technical manipulation.

Its free, and it leaves the original computer untouched.

Just use the KDE Live DVD (CD).

Not only is this solution idiot proof, but it can make your computer fun again.

Next if you like the OS, then just install it in a dual boot configuration which will still leave you able to use your old XP operating system any time you choose, which will probably be almost never after you have used KDE on opensuse.

Try it, you have nothing to loose but fear itself.

[OldChinaHam]

And, JaideeGuy, thank you for the language lesson.

I guess I am not likely to forget so easily this time.

[h90]

"the machines cost around 150.000 Euro and may run another couple of years (unfortunately the Siemens electronic also start to fail after a few years.

The machines were built 1989-2000 maybe even a bit later."

A local retrofitter (vey smart guys) can replace dated controls with Heidenhein, and as programmers here only tickle the capabilities of their CNC equipment, your hardware can last many more years .

Yes there is also a retrofit from Sinumerik 810T to 810D. But than the Software we use doesn't fit with the controller. Just small issues but they cost time.

The system is bases on the idea, that if a customer orders one piece of hydraulic seal, we clamp a fitting tube/rod, key in 3 dimensions (ID/OD/height) on the computer and produce it. IF you are good everything is done below 10 minutes.

If the machine has a different controller, you for sure must change where it moves the zero points, maybe need to change the way it makes the radius (CR instead of . Than you start and forgot one minor thing. Total it will be at least 30 min instead of 10 min.

For a product we may sell for 50 Baht and the customer might came in the office with a sample and wait for it.

And single piece orders are very common.

Additional: Just putting in the basic sizes and adjust the tool corrections someone with very little training can do. Maybe learning 1 month.

Modify the CNC program is something that needs much more knowledge and is also more risky.

(We just move larger series to a fairly new EMCO machine and my guys often struggle 1 hours to adapt the program for it)

But there are local guys who repair old Siemens boards, they are also very smart. In the West 700+ Euro plus the shipping plus the hassle with the customs. Here approx. 5000 Baht.

Actually it is always the same 2-3 boards that die, I buy old one from Ebay to swap them.

[jaideeguy]

And, JaideeGuy, thank you for the language lesson.

I guess I am not likely to forget so easily this time

??.......Old china man. I may take your advise and check out that Opensuse option, thanks.

Wow, My mind is spinning from info overload and am convinced now to give it another year [unless there are any major dramas] before posting this same question again.

Thanks to all for your feedback and hopefully it has been of help to others in my situation..........

JDG