Windows 10 versus Windows 7: Whose numbers do you trust?

[LevelBest]

I think we're talking at cross purposes. There's nothing wrong with my computer. I was thinking ahead to when I have to buy a new laptop, which will inevitably have Win10 on it, whether you were saying there was a way of copying the entire Win 7 structure from my current laptop onto a disc or hard drive, store it away and when I get new laptop I can install Windows7 on it. I do have an actual retail disk.

 

[dustymars]

I changed over to Win 10 a year ago and after tweaking it to work more like Win 7 I like 10 now. Even IE 11 works again after some time in the bit bucket. It seems like MS just made up fake Windows.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I think we're talking at cross purposes. There's nothing wrong with my computer. I was thinking ahead to when I have to buy a new laptop, which will inevitably have Win10 on it, whether you were saying there was a way of copying the entire Win 7 structure from my current laptop onto a disc or hard drive, store it away and when I get new laptop I can install Windows7 on it. I do have an actual retail disk.

Now if you were referring to my post I think I got a tad confused about what you wanting to do - so my bad

So I think what I would do if I understand it correctly now use the retail copy to create a dual boot on the machine and then transfer over the stuff on the old drive/system to it. It does seem to me to be an awful lot of work and time to actually try and use the old system. Is that because you do not want to do a dual boot straight up/ because unless I am terribly wrong it will use up one of your number of times that you can use that retail code and it does mean that you will be attempting to run that copy on two machines at once which Microsoft will balk at. Having said that the original machine it was activated on will you be disposing off it?

 

[LevelBest]

I changed over to Win 10 a year ago and after tweaking it to work more like Win 7 I like 10 now. Even IE 11 works again after some time in the bit bucket. It seems like MS just made up fake Windows.

I'll probably do what dusty has done (when the time comes to buy a new laptop) and get Win10 and then set it up so it works like windows 7. It obviously can be done. But hey ho, in the meantime, I'll stick with 7 and see what happens in 2020.

 

[marsmimar]

The following information is not meant to start any arguments. It's offered so people can hopefully make more reasoned decisions in the 7 vs. 10 debate. I also want to point out that many people who use computers are not as knowledgeable as the people who visit Seven Forums regularly. So please don't think I'm "talking down" to any of you.

One of the more compelling reasons to use Windows 10 is its enhanced security. Microsoft is at least trying to make it safer for people who might fall into the "novice" category and whose security skill sets might be lacking.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/windows/keep-secure/windows-10-security-guide

A lot of people don't seem to like how 10 looks because they're more comfortable with how 7 presents itself. For these folks a pretty straightforward solution is to use the free Classic Shell. Users can take advantage of the enhanced security features of 10 while making things look like the more familiar 7.

Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements

Finally, one of the arguments I hear from people who don't like 10 is its intrusive behavior in trying to collect personal information and send it back to Microsoft. Anybody who has tried 10 knows how deeply buried some privacy settings can be. Another free program that gives users more control over their personal information is DoNotSpy10.

pXc-coding >> DoNotSpy10

I think it's pretty obvious that Microsoft is slowly scaling back support for 7 and concentrating on 10. Even though 7 is supposed to be supported until January 2020, can any one of us guarantee that the type of support in place now will still be in place 2 years from now? Or even next year? Maybe these free apps will make the transition to 10 a little less traumatic.

Full disclosure: I've used Classic Shell and DoNotSpy10 for several months. They work flawlessly on my test machine. YMMV.

Also, I have no financial interest in either product and mention them only in the hopes they might help some people who are afraid to make the transition from 7 to 10.

As always, if anybody decides to give 10 a test drive, please make a full System Image of your 7 machine!

 

[LevelBest]

Thanks marsmimar, that is really helpful. I like the sound of the classic shell so 10 can look like windows 7. I suppose I am getting on a bit and can remember the buzz I felt getting my first laptop complete with all new shiny windows 7 back in 2012. It seems like five minutes ago and am still very happy with my set up. But thanks for giving me some hope when the time comes.

 

[iko22]

I turned down 'Get Windows 10 free' on two devices, when I learnt the small print. I would consider Windows 10 on new hardware, now that I know more realistically about computing power needs.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep LevelBest the classic shell is good have used it myself. What I did find with one of my machines in 10 is to get rid of of all those irritating apps at the Start screen and just type in the search bar for items such as This PC (Computer in 7) and right click it and then attach it to the start menu. You can get all the usual most used features like that like Control Panel, Pictures, Documents, Command Prompt, etc etc regedit is the only one I have yet to work out.
If I were at home I would attach a pic of that computer but am stuck in hospital right now.

 

[mjf]

Great post marsmimar.

 

[RoasterMen]

I've already had Four Laptops upgraded to 10: Two Laptops from 2008(Pentium Dual Core), A laptop with a 3rd gen Core i3 Processor and a laptop with a Haswell i3 chip. So far no problems occured.

My point is, if your device has drivers for 10 then go for it, If not then it's better to stay in Windows 7.

 

[Megahertz07]

Back to OP, there are many reasons to explain the increase of Win 10 over Win 7
- First of all, it was the "free offer". Many people installed (or M$ did for them), they don't like it but they don't know how to go back to Win 7. As time goes by, we will see many of them coming back to Win 7.
- Many people buy new or upgrade their computer. Win 7 OEM license isn't transferable and the only windows for sale is Win 10 (Yes, there are some few Win 7 pro OEM for sale and they cost more than Win 10). (thank the gods I bought a retail Win 7 HP retail and has already used on 3 computers).

Excuse me, but the "free offer" wasn't free and wasn't to make a safety computing.
The main profit comes from data collection and selling it (only M$ knows to who they sell and how much is their profit).
Android and Mac OS do the same, and no one is complaining, so, why not?
In my case, I've installed Win 10 on a spare HDD and didn't like it. There isn't any thing I need or want on it (Jack's words) and there are many things I don't agree to have on MY COMPUTER.

And once again, MS forgot the fist software law
"The best software is the one you know how to use"
Megahertz

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm well I think I might have mentioned it before I have four machines with 7 and two with 10. Now that the original crap has settled down - I say that because I used the free upgrade after much thought and research and to be honest it was crap and I reinstalled the 7 from an ISO using the original code on the machine. I used the Classic Shell software for that trial and it was just a nonsense.

Now it seems that Microsoft have fixed the OS up a bit or so it seems to me and the two machines running 10 I have configured in my own style - that is to say the Start menu on;y shows what is showing when one is using 7. I now use the 10 machines in much the same way I use the 7 ones of which (this machine I am on now) I will when I get out of this hospital and home make a dual boot.

I have to admit the 10 OS does run slightly faster than 7 but for ease of use 7 of course is my pick. I thin also that they do persist on using the "Metro" look with 10 and I avoid anything that comes in an app format it is the one feature of 10 I really am opposed to and the reason that my stay with a 8.1 install was very very short it was possibly the worst OS since Vista in my mind.

But that is my two cents worth of rant

 

[lehnerus2000]

... I really am opposed to and the reason that my stay with a 8.1 install was very very short it was possibly the worst OS since Vista in my mind.

You must have luckily avoided W8.

In my opinion:

• W8.1 was a big improvement over W8
• W10 is a big improvement over W8.1
• W7 is still better then W10

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
8.1 with classic shell or start8 is no different than 10 with classic shell or start10.
8.1 is more stable is the difference I've noticed

 

[fireberd]

Microsoft has addressed audio in Win 10, and specifically for recording purposes.

Latency is a big issue with many who use PC's for recording. In my case my recording latency (reliable recording with no dropouts) with a Roland Octa-Capture (USB) recording interface unit was 6.1ms with Win 7. With Win 10 it was 4.2 ms. I say "was" as the unit failed out of warranty and was replaced with an MOTU unit that has even better recording latency in Win 10, 2.2 ms (either with USB 2.0 or Firewire).

 

[Jody Thornton]

You must have luckily avoided W8.

In my opinion:

• W8.1 was a big improvement over W8
• W10 is a big improvement over W8.1
• W7 is still better then W10

I'm running the original Windows 8 with Classic Shell. Metro-related differences aside, why do you feel the "explorer" based portion of Windows 8 is so inferior to Windows 8.1? And what is it that you feel makes 10 better? 8x seems more like Windows 7 if you ask me (just a flatter faster version)

 

[Jody Thornton]

Hi,
8.1 with classic shell or start8 is no different than 10 with classic shell or start10.
8.1 is more stable is the difference I've noticed

But I hate the Windows 10 caption buttons. And it appears that every major update, a lot of customization is being thrown out the window. You have to basically redo all of your changes.

 

[3Colors]

Both are good. I keep the version 7, but if I have to do an update I would have no problem switching to version 10. As long as this already in its "final versión".

 

[ThrashZone]

But I hate the Windows 10 caption buttons. And it appears that every major update, a lot of customization is being thrown out the window. You have to basically redo all of your changes.

Hi,
Well yea that is the most irritating part and pretty much the deal killer
That plus MS marginalizing pro version too isn't helping at all
I have no problem letting 10 sit unused.

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't believe their will ever be a final version of W-10.
In my opinion W-10 users will for ever be getting Updates and Upgrades and therefor they will be resetting things forever.

Jack