Windows 7 Review

With the recent release of the new Microsoft operating system windows 7 many people believe Windows Vista will be forgotten about with its constant security alerts and lack of user options. The new operating system has many new features which I will run through now.

Firstly the new taskbar down at the bottom is a lot easier on the eye as it no longer has any text whatsoever, instead Microsoft have opted to use just the logo of the software the user currently has running. Another improvement to the taskbar is the ability to lock

items to the task bar which is a replacement of the quick launch system in Vista, this simply means that you right click click on the logo of the software you want to lock and click 'pin to taskbar' this means that when the program isn't open it still has an icon on the taskbar and can be quickly opened in seconds. This is represented by any open windows being bordered and slightly glowing whereas any pinned programs are not bordered but will become so upon clicking.

Another useful addition to 7 is the 'Snapping tool' this simply means that when you click the top of any open program and drag it away from the top of the screen it will shrink to its non maximized size and if you drag it back up it will maximize again, also if you drag it to the side of the screen it will lock on and fill exactly half of the screen so you can easily have two programs side by side without having to resize, a simple but sometimes useful addition.

One handy new addition to the taskbar is that you can look at windows without actually selecting them, this is done by hovering over an icon, it then brings up a list of the different parts of this program I.e. different messenger windows, hovering over them will make that window display itself in front of all others just until you move the cursor off of the taskbar icon so no more maximizing and minimizing constantly.

One of the better features for people who like to have lots of power and memory and not waste it all on just the operating system is that windows 7 can run on less RAM than its predecessor Vista and it takes much less time to resume after being sent to sleep. As well as a new system that
is used to locate and install the drivers of any usb devices a lot faster than before.

One of the big features that can help improve everyone's experience on windows computers is that it has given us back much more customisation ability with new backgrounds and themes and lots of new gadgets that are moveable anywhere around the screen (unlike in vista). This can make the whole windows experience slightly more enjoyable and fun to use.

One of the main difficulties I have with the new taskbar in windows 7 is that there is no longer a desktop button which instantly minimizes all windows which I used to found very useful. I'm sure this is rectifiable but I have so far been unable to find an option to open the desktop.

Overall I think of Windows 7 as a great system but cannot help but feel it is not a new Operating system but just Vista plus. I would seriously recommending getting this if you have troubles with vista as it is very user friendly and much more aesthetically pleasing. But it does come with a heavy price tag £149.99 for home premium and £229.99 for ultimate. Luckily I recently had to buy a new laptop after a catastrophic accident with my last one and managed to get home premium for just £10 pounds postage and packaging, in a deal many computer brands are taking part in, where if you buy a laptop between a certain date they will upgrade the operating system free of charge, I believe this deal is still open so if you are buying a new laptop in the near future check to see if this is available and I would recommend you to get it.

Overall I give Windows 7 an 8 out of 10 as it is much nicer to use and very simple to get to grips with unlike vista, but I can't help but notice the many similarities between the two operating systems and I find myself wondering 'What did they spend all that time on'.