Microsoft will launch Windows 7 on Oct 22 and it’s the operating system that will finally put the venerable Windows XP to rest.
Even though Windows 7 is not an entirely new OS, it is basically Vista with the nips and tucks done right.
Practically all the annoying bits have been removed while tons of new handy features have been added.
For one, the Shutdown button on the Start menu — now clearly labelled — actually shuts down your PC, something which Vista didn’t do.
But this is just one of the many improvements Microsoft has implemented in Windows 7 that makes the OS miles ahead of the much maligned Vista.
Less is more
With every new version, Windows has become more and more bloated. Windows 7 bucks this trend by leaving out apps that most of us won’t miss.
Windows Mail (formally known as Outlook Express), Windows Movie Maker and Windows Photo Gallery have been given the boot. Users who still need these applications can get them as a free Windows Live Essentials download from live.windows.com.
All other apps that remain have been jazzed up, some with new features and others with a better interface.
Windows Media Player 12 gets much needed support for new formats — it now plays AAC audio files, H.264 high-definition movies, and DivX videos.
The wide array of support for new formats makes Windows Media Player ideal to stream videos and songs to other machines, which it now can.
The Backup and Restore app has also been bolstered so users can now back up individual files and folders. However, backing up to a network is only available in the Ultimate version of Windows 7.
Verdict
In the few weeks we had the chance to tinker with the OS, we have taken a liking to the Aero improvements for managing open windows, and the Library view for organising files.
Windows 7 also has proven to be a lot faster and more stable than Vista, hardly ever crashing on our test machine even when playing games.
Overall, there is a lot to like about Windows 7, namely the better performance, a more functional interface, a less fussy security system, and an improved search engine.
The only catch with installing Windows 7 is that you cannot upgrade from Windows XP (only Vista gets that privilege).
IMHO, it’s always better to do a fresh install when setting up a new operating system.
Oct'09
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