General Windows 7 complaints

[darklite]

I find this OS extremely difficult to work with. Does anybody else have problems with it? It does not work with most programs, loses its own hardware on a regular basis-DVD/CD drive, and some programs, and other than just looking pretty, it's extremely awkward and inconvenient to use. You can't copy files from folder to folder without doing it manually, you have manually close windows instead of backing out, and it's slow whereas I was always told that it was fast. I have Vista on a laptop which speedwise, will run circles around W7. Everything about 7 is a new surprise, and its guaranteed that these surprises are going to be bad ones. Are there good features to it that I'm not seeing?

 

[pebbly]

hi darklite , im sorry you are having problems,tell me, did you do an upgrade or clean install of the os?

 

[bigmck]

I find this OS extremely difficult to work with. Does anybody else have problems with it? It does not work with most programs, loses its own hardware on a regular basis-DVD/CD drive, and some programs, and other than just looking pretty, it's extremely awkward and inconvenient to use. You can't copy files from folder to folder without doing it manually, you have manually close windows instead of backing out, and it's slow whereas I was always told that it was fast. I have Vista on a laptop which speedwise, will run circles around W7. Everything about 7 is a new surprise, and its guaranteed that these surprises are going to be bad ones. Are there good features to it that I'm not seeing?

I find it much better than XP. I did not use Vista. When you installed Win 7, did you do an upgrade from Vista or a clean install? If you did an upgrade, that could be the source of alot of problems. It will help to discuss this if you will add your specs so we know what you system is like. Thanks,

 

[CrashOverride]

Windows 7 hasn't given me any issues. Post your computer specs and we might be able to see whats going on.

 

[mpcrsc562]

my two cents: i would first ask "what are you system specs?"
-did you purchase this system pre-built or did you upgrade/install on your own?
-do you have motherboard chipset, lan, and audio drivers as well as the necessary videocard drivers and whatever other drivers are needed?
-what programs do you have running when your system starts (and the easiest way to control startup programs, in my opinion, is this little program: autoruns)
-your comment about copying files from folder to folder--i don't quite understand what you're getting at, but maybe this might help: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-copy-to-move-to-on-windows-vista-right-click-menu/

 

[derekimo]

1. What Programs are you having problems with?
2. I don't understand "Loses it's own hardware on a regular basis"?
3. As for copying files from folder to folder, This might make things easier for you,http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/516-context-menu-add-copy-folder-move-folder.html?filter[2]=Context Menu
4. Personally speaking, I find Windows 7 very user friendly, Have a look around the forum, any problem or difficulty you are having has probably already been addressed or will be if you ask.
5. Play with it awhile it's really a great OS, just get familiar with it.

 

[darklite]

It's already installed on a new computer. I didn't do anything as far as upgrades or anything. Plus, on many programs, it keeps prompting me to register the product, even though it's been registered several times. Maybe it's not windows 7 that's slow, but the processor? it's an amd II x2 215 processor 2.70 ghz, with 3gb memory. I've heard about people running 2 operating systems. Is it possible to install XP on here too?

 

[mpcrsc562]

those registration prompts are from the makers of the respective programs--not windows 7.

 

[gregrocker]

One of the first things tech enthusiasts do when they get a new computer with OS preinstalled is to obtain an installer for their licensed version to clean reinstall the OS. Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

You can also try to Clean Up Factory Bloatware

Here are general Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

Any Vista program or driver should be able to run in Win7, if necessary in Compatibility Mode

 

[whs]

I find this OS extremely difficult to work with. Does anybody else have problems with it? It does not work with most programs, loses its own hardware on a regular basis-DVD/CD drive, and some programs, and other than just looking pretty, it's extremely awkward and inconvenient to use. You can't copy files from folder to folder without doing it manually, you have manually close windows instead of backing out, and it's slow whereas I was always told that it was fast. I have Vista on a laptop which speedwise, will run circles around W7. Everything about 7 is a new surprise, and its guaranteed that these surprises are going to be bad ones. Are there good features to it that I'm not seeing?

In general, Windows7 works fine and is faster than Vista (although I am a Vista fan too). I think the few problems you have can be fixed:
1. The DVD problem may be an upper/lower filter problem. Apply this fix and see whether it works.
2. Of course you can copy files from folder to folder. Just use Copy to folder. It is the easiest way. The drag and drop does not work in all cases though.
3. Your problem with closing the windows I do not understand. Plse explain.
4. The speed problem needs further analysis. Maybe you have too many or the wrong startup programs. How exactly does the speed problem manifest itself?

It is true that Win7 has less useful functions than Vista. They have added a lot of useless eye candy for the little old ladies, but who needs it. And the access to the system functions was spread all over the place. But over time you will find it - e.g. who would guess that you have to go to Computer Properties to find the System Protection tab in System Properties - a very odd place to put it. At the same time they have a backup and restore window where it should have been in the first place.

 

[severedsolo]

personally, i like windows 7, my only few "gripes" if you will, is that i had to replace my monitor to make it useful, at anything below 1280*1024 everything looks too big, and the fact that the control panel is a little bit annoying to navigate, other than that its lighter than Vista resource wise, it manages its memory better, its not opposed to freeing up memory fro prefetch/superfetch like Vista was, in terms of pureperformance, its brilliant, the "problems" are cosmetic, but then when you changed from XP to Vista, didnt you think that it looked strange and alien?

DVD problem is not win7's fault, more likely a hardware error.... i dont understand what you mean about copying unless you do it manually... if Windows started copying files by itself id be asking questions..... likewise with closing windows, and speedwise, its faster, no question on my pc, due to improved memory management, Vista was eating 39% memory with just the OS nothing else running.... Windows 7 uses is using that now, with Firefox, utorrent and Zone Alarm running, if its just the OS running nothing else i can get it down to 22%

 

[myzr7]

It's already installed on a new computer. I didn't do anything as far as upgrades or anything. Plus, on many programs, it keeps prompting me to register the product, even though it's been registered several times. Maybe it's not windows 7 that's slow, but the processor? it's an amd II x2 215 processor 2.70 ghz, with 3gb memory. I've heard about people running 2 operating systems. Is it possible to install XP on here too?

Welcome to SevenForums darklite
Can you tell us what the make and model is for your pc? I'm wondering about your saying it came with 3 gb of memory. That seems odd to me?
Yes you can have another OS on your system.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

 

[darklite]

Derekimo: awesome tip about the move function, I got it, thanks! As far as losing its own hardware, I'm constantly losing the DVD drive. I'll put a dvd in to play, nothing happens, so I go to my computer, and there's no icon at all for the dvd player. Then, I'll come back again, and there it is. It's truly annoying.

Aboosoft: I too have a Toshiba satellite. the best computer I've ever had!

Gregrocker: good advice, I'll print it out so I can read it more closely.

Also, the registration prompts never happened like this on XP, or Vista, only 7. Anyway, I'll try to work through some of this stuff. So far, I'm not too impressed with 7. I guess I'll play with it awhile. Thanks for replying everyone!

 

[derekimo]

You're welcome, I'm certain any other problems you're having can be fixed.

 

[ski]

You can get your DVD drive to continuously display by checking "Show All Folders" in Folder Options.

 

[darklite]

Thanks, I'll check that out. But I think I've nailed the problem down to being some programs that 7 doesn't like. I uninstalled them and haven't had any problems. Before, I always got a message saying something to the effect of "No DVD drive exists". The last fix I did for it was:

Go to device manager, right click the DVD drive, click "uninstall" from the action menu, then click 'install' to bring it back.

 

[tipsplease]

I agree totally with your criticisms of Win-7
and found no real solutions posted.

Here are my complaints about Win-7, which
were not a problem in WinXP:

DESKTOP
* desktop icons won´t reduce below 14 points
* desktop icons are too "pale" and can´t find
how to increase color intensity.
* Quick-Launch and WinSys icons are pale and
too small even though set at "large".

FOLDER VIEW-OPTIONS
IN "folder options"
* " use classic windows folders" has been removed.
* "remember each folder´s view settings" also removed.
Instead a new folder opens in the same location and size
of the previous. Every time I open a folder I have to move
it to where I prefer to have it.
* A new bar appears at the top, with round back-forward
arrows at left and search box at right. I don´t want this
bar visible but can´t find how to hide it

SEARCH
* has been removed from folder icon right-click menu
* I can´t find it other than at far right of the new folder bar,
BUT to reach it I have to maximize the folder view.
I really hate this, a simple search becomes difficult.

CONTROL PANEL
has again been moved to another location and I do not
find how to add it to "My PC", (which has now been renamed).
I wish I could return to the former view of My PC.

We have worked out a number of solutions, some not
so satisfactory. I will gladly send these too you, but
would prefer email or another thread or another site. I don´t want to be bothered by the persons who have
posted useless snippy comments to this thread.
My mail : amigoanswers-at-gmail-com

Elsa

 

[Gail]

The Big issue I have with Windows 7, I can't get a lot of my old programs to work and now I wish I would have paid for another computer with Vista on it. They should have stayed with Vista, (when something's not broken why fix it). I agree with you about Windows 7

 

[SIW2]

I liked Vista too.

I am afraid that with each new Windows version, there is usually the odd program that won't run.

You might try rt clicking the program executable ( .exe file ) select properties>compatibility and see if you can get it to work by setting compatibility to an earlier version of windows.

It doesn't always work, but it's worth a try.

 

[0ldgeezer]

I found windows 7 to be an excellent alternative to vista. Vista came on my laptop and was horrible. I was given a free upgrade by Gateway for Windows 7 when it became available and I used it. I found windows 7 to be rock stable and had no issues like vista or even XP had.

I recently bought a new laptop and was given a discount for a windows 8 upgrade. I used that one also. But in this case I found windows 8 was a really nasty OS to try and get familiar with. Microsoft has moved everything, you can't downgrade afterwards if you don't like it, its difficult to find my documents, etc., many of my peripherals don't work with win 8, and there are many little things that are annoying.
So I decided to do a clean re-install of windows 7 and spent my day yesterday doing that. Now I'm a happy camper again.