21 Sep

Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System

Author: Paul Young  |  Category: Product Review

 

Windows 7 

The Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System differs in several key ways from the Vista operating system, as this Product Review will detail. Windows 7 fixed many of the problems with Vista, while retaining its best features. My consumer review of these products details several areas you’ll want to consider when choosing your product, such as speed, security, ease of use, hardware support, and robustness.

* Speed: Microsoft has noticeably improved the speed over Vista, especially in the boot process. Network speed searches have also been sped up through BranchCache. This feature uses intermediate servers to store the cache on several different servers. Windows 7 might not be as fast as some previous Windows versions, but it is definitely an improvement over Vista. The operating codes have been enhanced, allowing the same computer to run programs faster than on Vista.

* Security: Microsoft has improved its security features through BitLocker, its full-volume encryption software. It automatically creates the necessary hidden partitions, rather than requiring manual interventions, and it now handles external USB drives and flash drives. AppLocker is an improved version of Microsoft’s Software Restriction Policies, letting administrators create their own list of prohibited applications. User Access Control messages are less frequent, which had been a consumer annoyance with Vista.

* Ease of Use: Microsoft Windows 7  has both advantages and disadvantages over Vista. Windows 7 offers a new taskbar, which has eliminated the popular quick launch feature. However, other new features, such as the Most Recently Used list, are a definite enhancement, allowing you to quickly access your most common functions. Direct Access is a new feature that allows users to connect remotely to corporate networks without having to use a VPN connection.

* Hardware support requires very similar requirements to Vista, which is still much higher than Windows XP.

* Robustness: Disaster Recovery capabilities are similar to Vista, using the Windows Recovery Environment. You can either boot from the product CD or build your own boot disk, and you still have the option of recovery points. In early tests, Windows 7 has shown to be more reliable than Vista, and offers more product compatibility for programs such as Firefox, iTunes, and Photoshop.

Other improvements include better applets that are more functional, including an enhanced Paint system. Microsoft has also improved PowerShell by including a graphical user interface. If you are upgrading from XP, one big enhancement of Windows 7 is the increased control over driver installation and device usage, and you now have network-wide power management.

Overall, this consumer product review shows that while Windows 7 has improved many of the problems with Vista. My advice is that, although its still early, you will be much happier with Windows 7 than with Vista. Windows 7 offers improved performance, increased stability and security, and much improved hardware and software compatibility.

For more articles on the new Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System please click one of the following links;

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