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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 Windows XP is archaic, and it is designed to run on outdated hardware.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
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1 posted on 07/12/2010 7:58:52 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

The other 2 reasons sited are :

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

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR MORE EXPLANATIONS

5. XP Mode Virtualization. This is the Windows 7 trump card. With Windows XP Mode virtualization, Windows 7 runs a full Windows XP SP3 system in a virtual PC. It enables you to continue using hardware and software that are not compatible with Windows 7 from within the Windows 7 operating system. And, XP Mode virtualization is fast—somehow much faster than other Microsoft virtual PCs I have created. The caveat for this feature, though, is that it is only available on Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise.

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR MORE EXPLANATIONS.


2 posted on 07/12/2010 7:59:57 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

XP Pro is still better.


3 posted on 07/12/2010 8:00:13 AM PDT by Frantzie (Democrats = Party of I*lam)
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To: Frantzie

No it isn’t.


4 posted on 07/12/2010 8:01:25 AM PDT by downwdims (It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority)
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To: SeekAndFind; ShadowAce

Tony Bradley aka Steve Ballmer


5 posted on 07/12/2010 8:02:13 AM PDT by randomhero97 ("First you want to kill me, now you want to kiss me. Blow!" - Ash)
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To: SeekAndFind

So long as they’re not doing away with Windows 3.1, I’m alright.


6 posted on 07/12/2010 8:02:46 AM PDT by BipolarBob (Even the earth is bipolar.)
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To: SeekAndFind

There’s only one OS worth switching to. And that’s Ubuntu 10.04. (Let the flame wars begin)


7 posted on 07/12/2010 8:03:39 AM PDT by libh8er
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To: SeekAndFind

The first two reasons are dumb. If you have an old PC running XP then you don’t need improved HW detection or driver support because your system is already supporting all of the HW you have.

I would be curious though to know what W7 does on the older HW though.

Also, I may be mistaken, but I don’t think you can do a direct upgrade of XP with W7 which would complicate things on an upgrade.

Better to wait till it is time to replace your HW and then get W7.


8 posted on 07/12/2010 8:04:10 AM PDT by dleach
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To: SeekAndFind

Thanks. I’ll wait 2 years till the wonder of the new enhanced bugs have played out.


9 posted on 07/12/2010 8:04:22 AM PDT by throwback ( The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid)
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To: SeekAndFind

After switching to windows 7 about 4 to 5 months ago, I never even want to look at XP again. Windows 7 is great!


10 posted on 07/12/2010 8:05:26 AM PDT by chris37
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To: Frantzie
XP Pro is still better.

Having multiple Windows 7 installations and XP Pro installations, I'm going to have to go with Windows 7 is much better.

11 posted on 07/12/2010 8:05:37 AM PDT by kingu (Favorite Sticker: Lost hope, and Obama took my change.)
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To: randomhero97
I installed W7 on a couple of our boxes. I like it.

Since I was so outspoken about Vista (spit)I think it shows I was a skeptic, and am not an MS groupie. It appears they finally got it right.

12 posted on 07/12/2010 8:05:49 AM PDT by Gorzaloon (CNN:AP:etc:Today, President Obama's stool was firm and well-formed. One end was slightly pointed. ")
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To: SeekAndFind

If XP is still handling all your computer chores then keep it. It there comes a time when XP will no longer accomplish what you need done - that is the proper time to upgrade. Looks like PC world is playing the role of Microsoft PR dept to keep the advertising coming in.


13 posted on 07/12/2010 8:06:51 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: Gorzaloon

I’ve been testing Windows7 at work and I must say that I like it as well. I’m still a Linux geek through and through.


14 posted on 07/12/2010 8:07:13 AM PDT by randomhero97 ("First you want to kill me, now you want to kiss me. Blow!" - Ash)
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To: SeekAndFind
more Microsoft propaganda. it's nothing more than a push to get you to buy a new operating system. I've tried vista, Iv'e tried windows 7.

every time, I end up going back to XP. It's just too stable and fast.

sooner or later they will win though. When manufacturers stop developing drivers for XP, I'll switch. Until then, MS can keep pushing, I don't care. I'll start running ubuntu before I pay 300 bucks for an OS.

15 posted on 07/12/2010 8:07:35 AM PDT by FunkyZero ("It's not about duck hunting !")
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To: SeekAndFind

I just wish when M$ decides not to support an older version of their OS, the would release a copy that requires no keys to install. Since they aren’t going to support it anyway....


16 posted on 07/12/2010 8:07:38 AM PDT by DonaldC (A nation cannot stand in the absence of religious principle.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Windows 7 is nice. I was pleasantly surprised at how better than Vista it is. But it still does nothing for me that XP doesn’t and even though Win 7 is on my system I’ll continue to primarily use the faster and locked down XP until it’s no longer supported. I expect millions of businesses will do the same.


17 posted on 07/12/2010 8:09:28 AM PDT by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: SeekAndFind

All I need the OS to do is to run the file system, network, and launch programs in a stable fashion. XP does that just fine and most of the “features” I’ve seen on newer versions of Windows are just unnecessary crap.

If it weren’t for the huge pile of Windows-based freeware I’ve accumulated I would dump it in a heartbeat and go to Linux. Everything else - including what I do in Office - can be done with open source equivalents.


18 posted on 07/12/2010 8:09:40 AM PDT by bigbob
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To: dleach
The first two reasons are dumb. If you have an old PC running XP then you don’t need improved HW detection or driver support because your system is already supporting all of the HW you have.

Excellent observation!

19 posted on 07/12/2010 8:09:46 AM PDT by Niteranger68 (Don't just accept freedom, DEMAND IT!!!)
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To: SeekAndFind

I’m still relatively illiterate in computers. No idea what it means that xp will become increasingly unstable. I mostly use xp. However, if it gets too unstable, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with my 98 in the next room.
In fact, the 98 doesn’t even have virus protection, nor has it had any crashes, spyware, slowdowns, or other kinks in at least five years; and not many before that.
The xp is almost as good.


20 posted on 07/12/2010 8:09:58 AM PDT by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (STOP the Tyrananny State.)
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