Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Five Reasons It's Time to Switch to Windows 7 (Tomorrow is D-day for Windows XP SP2 users)
PC World ^ | 07/12/2010 | Tony Bradley

Posted on 07/12/2010 7:58:50 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Tomorrow is D-day for Windows XP SP2 users. Granted, Windows XP SP2 will still work, but tomorrow is the last Patch Tuesday for the venerable OS which means it will become more unstable and less secure as time goes on. Simply applying SP3 will suffice to continue running a supported platform, but here are five reasons to consider switching off of Windows XP entirely.

1. Hardware Support. Windows XP is archaic, and it is designed to run on outdated hardware. As new technologies are introduced, it is unlikely that Windows XP will be compatible or able to take advantage of them. Windows 7 provides support for multitouch displays, and also has greatly improved memory and power management features.

2. Improved Drivers Installation. Windows 7 has a superior system for automatically detecting and installing drivers. Windows XP sort of has this capability, but more often than not the search for drivers yields nothing and requests that you insert a driver disc from the vendor. Install a new piece of hardware in Windows 7, and most of the time it will automatically be added along with the correct driver without any additional user interaction.

3.Security. Windows XP lacks many of the crucial security controls that have been introduced in Windows Vista and Windows 7. Looking at the vulnerabilities that have been discovered since the launch of Windows 7, the Windows 7 operating system is frequently unaffected, or when it is affected by the same flaw as Windows XP, the result of an exploit is minor while the Windows XP system will be completely owned by the attacker.

(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: microsoft; operatingsystems; pc; windows7; windowsxp
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-128 next last
To: Gorzaloon

What a bunch of OS snobs. Those of us in the know understand that nothing beats BOB!


61 posted on 07/12/2010 8:42:42 AM PDT by RobRoy (The US Today: Revelation 18:4)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie

My question is this — Why do people put up with CRAPPY Microsoft Product and wait for them to improve it ( in essence making users the virtual guniea pigs for their OS) when they can switch to using say, Apple’s Computers instead ?


62 posted on 07/12/2010 8:44:33 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Kieri
It is silly to spend a couple hundred $$ installing a new OS on hardware several years old;each new Windows version has required more memory,more storage, and faster CPUs.

Best bet is just run whatever OS was shipped with the computer when new and install the updates and patches for that version;it will continue to run all the programs it originally ran.When you have new needs,then buy a new machine with the latest OS pre-installed;it will save you money and time.

Same basic principle applies to MacOS and others;as OS feature list grows so does requirement for more ,newer hardware.

I know of control systems now running on high-end P4 boxes that originally ran just as well on a Win 3.1 486 box.The production machine ,its sensors and motors simply don't require much computing power.

Americans spend a fortune replacing a lot of things that were still performing their functions economically.just to have bragging rights "I got a new "xxx".

63 posted on 07/12/2010 8:46:07 AM PDT by hoosierham (Waddaya mean Freedom isn't free ?;will you take a credit card?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Gorzaloon

My question is this — Why do people put up with CRAPPY Microsoft Product and wait for them to improve it ( in essence making users the virtual guniea pigs for their OS) when they can switch to using say, Apple’s Computers instead ?

I’m continually amazed at how Microsoft is still the dominant OS after so many years of making users suffer when there are better alternatives out there...


64 posted on 07/12/2010 8:47:05 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
Why we are being forced to switch to Windows 7 (in a nutshell):

Windows 7 requires activation, while XP only uses validation. Activation eliminates those pesky pirated XP corporate editions that can be loaded on one box and then made to run on any other. Now each installation will be married to specific cpu's and hardware.

BOO! HISS!

65 posted on 07/12/2010 8:47:43 AM PDT by Slump Tester (What if I'm pregnant Teddy? Errr-ahh -Calm down Mary Jo, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

66 posted on 07/12/2010 8:49:14 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Obama is the least qualified guy in whatever room he walks into.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Frantzie

I thought XP would still be better, but I bought a new machine with 64-bit Windows 7 installed. I love it. I also upgraded to Office 2010 Professional and Adobe Creative Suite 5 at the same time. No problems with any of it! I’m happy...


67 posted on 07/12/2010 8:49:26 AM PDT by Bookwoman ("...and I am unanimous in this...")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: hoosierham
It is silly to spend a couple hundred $$ installing a new OS on hardware several years old;each new Windows version has required more memory,more storage, and faster CPUs.

Best bet is just run whatever OS was shipped with the computer when new and install the updates and patches for that version;it will continue to run all the programs it originally ran.When you have new needs,then buy a new machine with the latest OS pre-installed;it will save you money and time.

That is my approach as well. A friend built a new box for me in December '08. I bought a new XP disc and installed XP. I have much better things to do with my time than start from scratch installing and replacing files if I wipe my current HD clean. I'll save upgrading my OS for when I upgrade my machine, or get a laptop.

68 posted on 07/12/2010 8:52:48 AM PDT by Sans-Culotte ( Pray for Obama- Psalm 109:8)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: RobRoy

I build my own as well. About every six to seven years when I’ve exhausted all possible upgrades, I start over and then I’m briefly cutting edge. Usually what forces me ahead is gaming. Even then, the games I like I usually don’t find until their aged a couple years. Plus many game makers don’t require cutting edge just to broaden the audience.


69 posted on 07/12/2010 8:53:38 AM PDT by throwback ( The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I have a better question:

What’s a computer?


70 posted on 07/12/2010 8:54:17 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Arizona: Just doing the job 0bamacrats won't do!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
My question is this — Why do people put up with CRAPPY Microsoft Product and wait for them to improve it ( in essence making users the virtual guniea pigs for their OS) when they can switch to using say, Apple’s Computers instead ?

For me, it's because you can't run Exchange on OSX, and there's no Apple or open source replacement for it that does what management and the users have come to expect from their emails system.

Other people may have other reasons, but they have reasons. Deal with it.

71 posted on 07/12/2010 8:57:40 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Good time to switch to Apple.


72 posted on 07/12/2010 9:03:53 AM PDT by Age of Reason
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
One of the complaints against each new generation of Windows is that it seems to get slower and more bloated with each iteration.

Sounds like a reason to avoid 7 and stick with XP.

73 posted on 07/12/2010 9:05:49 AM PDT by Age of Reason
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Mrs NHD had a Vista machine. When it ran into some problems we upgraded with Win7. It’s a huge improvement. As for me, I have 5 pcs and laptops with WinXP Pro. I’ll upgrade no sooner than when the off lease Win7 boxes start showing up on eBay. Oh, I’m typing this on a linux laptop.


74 posted on 07/12/2010 9:06:20 AM PDT by NewHampshireDuo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slump Tester
I thought XP required activation. I wasn't aware that there were copies you could buy that didn't require on-line activation. I know I bought an OEM copy for my last build, and I'm still not quite sure what the limitations of it being OEM are. I think it just has to stay on that motherboard forever, but I can still buy an upgrade. That's fine. When I get to the point I want to pitch the motherboard, I won't mind buying another OEM of 7 if one’s available.
75 posted on 07/12/2010 9:07:38 AM PDT by throwback ( The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: sneakers

“Looking-for-all-the-tech-wisdom-I-can-get” bump!


76 posted on 07/12/2010 9:08:09 AM PDT by sneakers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I’ll wait to upgrade the hardware when USB 3.0 is default. No sense in adding a coat of paint to the old beater.


77 posted on 07/12/2010 9:08:58 AM PDT by Sgt_Schultze (A half-truth is a complete lie)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

It must have something to do with Al Gore.

I really do not know what. So don’t ask, really please don’t ask. It will be better for both of us if you don’t ask.


78 posted on 07/12/2010 9:14:42 AM PDT by ThomasThomas (Isn't enough always enough?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Age of Reason

Awwwk! Get a Mac! Awwwk!

79 posted on 07/12/2010 9:15:42 AM PDT by Fresh Wind (For the first time in half a century, there is no former KKK member in the US Senate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Frantzie

The next version of an OS should always be better. Microsoft had two major exceptions: Windows ME and Windows Vista. Windows 7 is better, as one would normally expect a new OS version to be.


80 posted on 07/12/2010 9:15:58 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-128 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson