You’re better off keeping XP. There’s nothing Windows 7 can do that XP can’t. With XP you can play all your games without having to download compatability software and jump through hoops just to play. I’d give anything NOT to have 7.
Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor ,it will tell if you can run win 7
You could download Ubuntu Linux to a USB flashdrive and check it out.
I’m perfectly happy with XP, but don’t have any issues with Win 7 either. The problem is, within the next couple years Microsoft is not going to support XP any longer, so if some kink of vulnerability is discovered, you’re liable to be hacked.