What is the best Windows to install. Which Windows is better? Comparison of capabilities of Windows versions. Creating an ad hoc wireless network

It is no secret that today Windows 7 is gaining popularity among PC users who prefer operating systems from Microsoft. Why is this happening? There are several reasons. One of which is that the system works faster, while consuming fewer resources than. Microsoft's programmers actually decided to put more effort into Windows 7 than they did on Vista - which, in fact, was one of the company's biggest failures in recent years. The second reason is that Windows 7 can be installed on almost any modern computer, even a netbook - and it will work on it. The system requirements are quite modest.

CPU: 1 GHz (32-bit / 64-bit).
RAM: for a 32-bit system 1 GB, for a 64-bit system 2 GB.
Hard disk requirements: 16 GB space for 32-bit OS, 20 GB for 64-bit OS.
Graphics: if you want to enable the Windows Aero interface, you need a video card that supports DirectX 9 with WDDM driver version 1.0 or higher; the card must have 128 MB of memory.
(data taken from the Microsoft website.http: //windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/products/system-requirements)

What is WDDM? Without going deep into technical details, let's say that this is a video card driver, built a little differently than before (i.e. a driver with a new architecture). As a result, the graphics system has become more stable and secure. Also, the Aero interface will work correctly only with this type of driver. Whether it is a commercial ploy or not, whether it is a Microsoft ploy or not, this is a long debate, and it is beyond the scope of this article. I will only note that almost all Radeon or Nvidia cards released after 2004 support this driver model, and the drivers themselves can always be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.

Windows 7 versions

Installing the system on a PC is very simple and generally does not differ from Vista. And it should be noted that the system requirements for a 64-bit system are somewhat overestimated - it can work on 1 GB of RAM. Below in the article will be considered the pros and cons of 64-bit versions, as well as "which is better - 32-bit or 64-bit version."
Windows 7 comes in multiple editions (editions). Data on them are given in the table:

Possibilities versions	Initial (Starter)	home Basic (Home Basic)	Home extended (Home Premium)	Professional (Professional)	Maximum (Ultimate) and Enterprise
Improved taskbar and jump lists	+	+	+	+	+
Windows Search	+	+	+	+	+
Joining to home group	+	+	+	+	+
Archiving and recovery	+	+	+	+	+
Support Center	+	+	+	+	+
Control devices (Device Stage)	+	+	+	+	+
Streaming broadcast media files including Play To technology	+	+	+	+	+
Support Bluetooth	+	+	+	+	+
Faxes and scanning	+	+	+	+	+
Base set of games	+	+	+	+	+
Dispatcher credentials	+	+	+	+	+
Aero snap	+	+	+	+	+
"Live" sketches in the taskbar	-	+	+	+	+
Fast switching users	-	+	+	+	+
Connect to wireless networks on the fly	-	+	+	+	+
Sharing to connecting to The Internet	-	+	+	+	+
Support several monitors	-	+	+	+	+
Centre mobility Windows (without regime presentation) *	-	+	+	+	+
Aero Glass and extended navigation in Windows (Aero Shake and Aero Peek)	-	-	+	+	+
Windows Touch (touch and handwritten input)	-	-	+	+	+
Creation home group	-	-	+	+	+
Windows Media Center	-	-	+	+	+
Playback and editing DVD video	-	-	+	+	+
Extended set of games	-	-	+	+	+
Scissors, Notes	-	-	+	+	+
Windows Sideshow (on complementary display)	-	-	+	+	+
Print taking into account location	-	-	-	+	+
Joining to domain and group politicians	-	-	-	+	+
Connections to remote desktops (host)	-	-	-	+	+
Extended archiving (network and group politicians)	-	-	-	+	+
Encrypting file system (EFS)	-	-	-	+	+
Centre mobility Windows: Mode presentations *	-	-	-	+	+
Autonomous folders	-	-	-	+	+
Windows XP Mode	-	-	-	+	+
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go	-	-	-	-	+
AppLocker	-	-	-	-	+
DirectAccess	-	-	-	-	+
BranchCache	-	-	-	-	+
Multilingual custom interface (linguistic packages)	-	-	-	-	+
"Corporate" Search	-	-	-	-	+
Improvements in deploying virtual environments (VDI) **	-	-	-	-	+
Loading from virtual hard drives (VHD)	-	-	-	-	+

* Windows Mobility Center is only available for laptops and netbooks
** Windows 7 Ultimate is not licensed for VDI scripting, but these capabilities enrich the remote connection experience with this OS
*** Table compiled based on information from Microsoft:
http://windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/products/compare?T1=tab20

But you can see such signs (or similar ones) on any website that mentions Windows 7. And, frankly, they are not very informative for an ordinary user: it turns out that you need to take the Maximum (Corporate you cannot buy - this version is not for free sales). But do you need it? Let's try to figure it out ...

Should I install 32-bit or 64-bit?

Here we consider the situation that we put on a home computer to solve typical household tasks: watching movies, simple work (like typing in MS Word), the Internet, games.
Most sites advise you to install the 64-bit version, citing the fact that it "works faster". Opponents of the 64-bit system motivate their position with the "problem with the drivers". In fact, now there is practically no such problem - for more or less modern equipment, you can almost always find a 64-bit driver. In some cases, 32-bit ones also get up - but this is fraught with slowing down the system or even dropping it into the "blue screen of death". Therefore, it is better to install only 64-bit drivers.
In fact, for home computers, the performance gain is not as significant as we would like, it is clearly noticeable in mathematical calculations, for example, but in everyday life it is practically not noticeable, moreover, given that most programs are now 32-bit, it can happen slowdown of the computer. This is due to the peculiarity of the execution of 32-bit programs in a 64-bit system. Therefore, at the moment it is more desirable to install a 32-bit system (since you can almost always find a 32-bit analogue of a 64-bit program, and the opposite is not always true).
For home computers, there is one exception to the rule - you need to install a 64-bit OS if the amount of RAM on your computer is more than 3 gigabytes. 32-bit systems cannot address memory over 4 GB, in fact - no more than 3 GB (memory allocation feature). You can enable "extended" addressing (PAE), but this is a crutch that does not always work.
Conclusion: if you have 4 GB or more, install 64-bit Windows 7, otherwise install 32-bit.

Deciding on the Windows 7 edition

Not everything is clear here - even “home” users have different needs. Therefore, we will explain the features of each edition, based on the table above. As you can see, in the table, the "chips" of the system are grouped in such a way that the subsequent edition contains all the features that were in the previous one (unlike the table on the Microsoft website, it is grouped there by categories ("entertainment", "opportunities", etc.) etc.), but the comparison is somewhat difficult. Therefore, whoever needs to look by category - you are welcome here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/products/compare?T1=tab20
All editions allow you to simultaneously run an unlimited number of applications (as long as the computer resources are enough).

Note. All links to the Microsoft website that will be in the article are recommended to be opened in Internet Explorer.

Windows 7 Starter

Improved taskbar and jump lists Is a feature that allows you to quickly jump to frequently used files. The content of the jump list depends on the specific program. To view the list of jumps, you can right-click on the program icon in the taskbar or call it from the Start menu:
The improved taskbar is a redesigned view (compared to previous versions of Windows) with improved functionality (which is expanded in more "advanced" editions).
Windows Search: a file finder on your computer. Includes indexing services to speed up file searches. Available in the upper right corner of the window.
Joining a homegroup: provides the ability to join a computer to a homegroup. Homegroup is a tool that makes it easy to set up file and folder sharing and printer sharing on your home network (i.e. between computers in your apartment / house). Readers of MirSovetov should understand that Windows Starter only supports joining a homegroup, not creating them!
Archiving and restoring: a program designed to back up important files (both yours and system ones) so that they can be restored if necessary. You can choose which files and folders you want to archive. You can also make an emergency copy of the entire system (a system snapshot) with installed drivers, programs ... In order to have fewer problems with reinstallation if something happens.
Support Center: Built-in software to display important Windows notifications that require your attention. These notifications pop up mainly when there are any violations in the system that threaten its security or normal functioning, as well as when there are updates on the Microsoft website. Also, the support center offers ways to solve problems and routine maintenance of your computer, allowing you to keep it in normal operation.

Device management: when a device is connected, a window may be displayed that groups the most frequently used functions for this device. For example, if you have an MFP (printer-scanner-copier), then when connected, various scan and print options may be displayed. In earlier versions of Windows, this was split into different menus, which still need to be reached. An example of how this function works on the Microsoft website:
http://windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/device-stage
Streaming media files including Play To technology: streaming is when a file is played on one computer (broadcast server), and the rest of the computers act as receivers. It turns out something like a radio broadcast, but on a local network. PlayTo technology allows you to choose on which computer to play the specified file, i.e. allows you to personalize your broadcast. You can admire the PlayTo technology by downloading a demo video from the Microsoft website:
http://windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/products/features/play-to
Bluetooth support: support for bluetooth devices.
Basic set of games: standard set of games (Klondike, Minesweeper, Spider ...).
Credential Manager: allows you to work with user accounts (add, change name, set a password and other features related to the account).

Aero Snap: very, according to MirSovetov, a useful function: quick resizing of windows when dragging them to the edges of the screen. For example, when you need to view two Word documents side by side at the same time: before you had to adjust the dimensions manually, now you just drag one document to the left, and the second to the right of the screen. When "dragging" windows from these positions, the windows will restore their former size. Oddly enough, there is even on systems that do not have Aero - interface.

Demo (video) on the Microsoft website:
http://windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/products/features/snap
Also, in Starter Edition, you cannot change the desktop wallpaper. The initial version usually comes on netbooks, but it is quite possible to replace it with some more powerful edition on them. There are also restrictions on the launch of some applications, for example, some games do not run under this OS.

Windows 7 Home Basic

Includes everything that is in the Beginner, and in addition to this, there are a number of other features.
Live thumbnails in the taskbar: when you hover and hold the cursor over the program icon in the taskbar, a thumbnail window appears showing what the program is doing at the moment. There may even be video playback in this window. There can be several sketches per program if several windows are open in it. In short, they are something like screenshots of the window in the taskbar:

Fast user switching: support for switching to another user without first closing all windows and programs of the current user.
Connecting to wireless networks on the fly: left-clicking on the wireless networks icon in the taskbar displays a list of available wireless networks (and information about them in tooltips) that you can connect to
Internet Connection Sharing: the ability to access the Internet of the same network, connected to the Internet.
Multiple Monitor Support: displaying the Windows desktop and programs on other monitors connected to this computer; there are various display options. These parameters can be accessed by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "screen resolution":

In this case, the system has one monitor. If there were several of them, then next to the monitor with the number 1, the monitor with the number 2 would appear, in the drop-down list "screen" it would be suggested to select the desired monitor.
Windows Mobility Center: it is for laptops and netbooks, allows you to access quickly used tasks specific to this type of systems:

In this edition there is no support for equipment for displaying presentations (the ability to connect projectors).

Windows 7 Home Premium

Includes everything that is in the Home Basic, plus some functionality on top of that.
Aero Glass and Windows Advanced Navigation (Aero Shake and Aero Peek, Aero Snap): Aero Glass is a semi-transparent window display style and animation, with the ability to customize translucency, colors, etc. "For yourself." Aero Shake is the hiding of all windows except the selected one. To restore all windows, simply "shake" the active window. Demonstration (video):
http://windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/products/features/shake
Aero Peek - "X-ray" for windows - allows you to look "through windows", while the outlines of the windows remain on the screen, but their contents disappear (except for the selected window). Demonstration (video):
http://windows.microsoft.com/ru-RU/windows7/products/features/peek
Windows Touch (touch and ink): designed for tablet computers. Allows you to work with the system by clicking on the interface elements on the screen.
Creating a home group: what is a home group - see the corresponding paragraph in the description of the capabilities of the "initial" edition. In this edition, in addition to joining, you can already create home groups. The fundamental difference is that in the "initial" edition it was impossible to select the files and printers to be shared in this way, but in this one it was possible.
Windows Media Center: program for quick access to multimedia functions of Windows: watching and recording TV, watching videos and photos, listening to music ... Optimized for use on devices with touch screens.
DVD video playback and editing: if you can play DVD on any edition, delivering the appropriate codec if necessary, then here this codec is already out of the box, and is also available under the name DVD Studio.

Extended set of games: Chess, Mahjong, Backgammon and others are added to the standard games.
Scissors, Notes:"Scissors" allow not just, but also to select any area of ​​the screen and take a screenshot only from this area. Sticky notes are like "stickers" on the desktop for memory. This function will be useful for readers of MirSovetov who own tablet PCs - you can take notes by hand.
Windows Sideshow (on secondary display): technology for receiving and displaying data from a computer on other displays. For example, displaying a photo from a computer in a photo frame.

Windows 7 Professional (Professional)

Includes all the features of Home Extended, several others have been added.
Location-based printing: Let's say you're using a laptop and plugging it in at work. At work there is a printer, at home there is a printer. Previously, you had to reconfigure your printer each time or, at best, choose the appropriate default printer. With this function, Windows remembers which network the printer is connected to and automatically restores the settings for it when reconnecting to this network.
Domain Join and Group Policies: allows you to configure group policies (sets of rules in accordance with which the Windows environment is configured, typical for multi-user systems) and the ability to enter a computer into a domain (a domain is a group of computers with the same security policies).
Remote Desktop Connections (host): allows you to remotely connect to a computer and work at a remote computer as if you were at it.
The prefix "host" means that the computer can act as whoever is connected to using the remote desktop feature.
Advanced Backup (Network and Group Policy): everything is the same as in regular archiving, but it adds the ability to archive network settings and group policies.
Encrypting File System (EFS): allows you to encrypt your files and folders from other users (when using the NTFS file system). How and why to encrypt is, rather, a topic for a separate article.
Windows Mobility Center: added presentation mode (what is a "mobility center" - see the description of the Home Basic Edition) makes it possible to display an image on a projector:

Offline folders: the ability to automatically copy the contents of server files to the local computer disk; the user will be able to access the files even if the server on which they are stored "falls out" from the network. Periodically, Windows synchronizes files in offline folders with the contents of files on the server.
Windows XP Mode: allows you to run the Windows XP operating system in the Windows 7 environment. And work with it as if you had it installed - i.e. install programs there, run games for XP, etc. At the same time, there is a "transparent" connection with Windows 7: for example, you can easily copy files from Win7 to Win XP (and vice versa) simply by dragging and dropping them from the Win7 desktop to Win XP and vice versa.
Also, this function can work as a tool for launching programs in Windows 7: the Windows XP window does not open, but all the conditions under which the program would work on real XP are emulated, which is not achieved by the options on the "compatibility" tab. To be fair, it should be noted that there are not many such programs.
This feature requires the installation of Virtual PC, a virtualization tool.

Note for a professional. Starting with this version, the distribution includes such useful snap-ins as lusrmgr.msc (Managing local users and groups), gpedit.msc (Group Policy Editor), secpol.msc (Security Policies).

Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise

versions include everything that is in the Professional, and to this:
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go: These are tools for protecting and encrypting data on hard drives (BitLocker) and USB-drives (BitLocker To Go). Talking about how it works and how it is configured is beyond the scope of this article. Most home users do not need these programs (unless you are working with data, access of an unauthorized person to which is highly undesirable).
AppLocker: it is an add-on to Group Policy that determines which applications can / cannot run on computers on the network. The tool for administrators, controlled from the Windows Power Shell console, is absolutely unnecessary for an ordinary user, unless you prohibit children from starting toys. But this is from the "sparrow cannon" - there are more convenient means.
DirectAccess: allows you to get access from home to the internal network of the organization using a special server. Again, the average user does not need it.
BranchCache: caches data from remote servers on local network resources. Saves working time on downloading files, sometimes improves the performance of web applications. Why is this on a home computer?
Multilingual user interface (language packs): allows you to install language packs, as a result of which a native language can be selected for each user on one computer. Relevant for transnational offices.
"Corporate" search: search within the organization's network, incl. in databases, etc., with a high degree of correspondence between the returned result and the requested one.
Improvements in the deployment of virtual environments (VDI): technology that allows you to save on licensing applications (and something else) - when virtual computers are deployed on one server, users work with them as if they were "real".
Booting from virtual hard disks (VHD): a virtual hard disk is a file, one might say, an image, which has its own file system, data, etc. It is mainly used in virtual machines. But with this function, you can boot Windows 7 from such a file. Allows you to have multiple copies of Windows, independent of each other, on one "real" (physical) hard disk at no special cost.

Yes, I would like to note that Windows Media Player is available in all versions of Windows 7. Also, recently it has become possible to select the desired browser when installing Windows 7 (the so-called "browser selection dialog box"), almost all popular browsers are available to choose from (Opera, Chrome, Firefox, IE ...).

Which version of Windows 7 should you choose?

This concludes the description of the "chips" of various editions. Let's summarize. But before that, let's divide the audience of users into groups. The division is very arbitrary and characterizes the main range of tasks that the user solves in everyday life. The partition itself was somehow imperceptibly deduced by the author over 7 years of work in the field of IT, perhaps it is somewhat subjective:

• category 1: Novice users / General users. They are either just starting to learn the basics of working with a computer, or they use the computer as a typewriter and to surf the Internet. Periodically watch films, listen to music;
• Category 2: Advanced Users / Interested. It is no longer enough for them to “just work” with a computer; they are looking for ways to make this work faster, more convenient, and easier. And also in many cases they try to understand “how does it work” and “what else can be done”;
• category 3: IT professionals / IT students. For them, a computer is a profession. They do everything with its help - from hammering nails with a computer to the development of large control systems for something and security systems. They tend to require more capabilities from the operating system.

For category 1, the best choice, according to MirSovetov, will be Windows 7 Home Extended - it has everything you need for work and entertainment, and even a little more. At the same time, you do not overpay money for functionality that you do not need, which you will not use anyway.
For Category 2, this edition is also attractive, although Windows 7 Professional would suit them as well. But "Professional" is almost 1.5 times more expensive than "Home Extended".
Category 3 is more suitable for Windows 7 Professional - very often they need features that are only available in Professional.
Windows 7 Maximum can be advised for those who work in a large organization as at least a system administrator or want to encrypt data using BitLocker out of the box, without having to worry about purchasing and configuring third-party software that is not always able to work as expected (ie. (i.e., it may not be compatible with this version of Windows).
Why do not we advise any of the readers of MirSovetov "Primary" and "Home Basic"? Because, in our opinion, these are slightly defective systems, heavily curtailed and devoid of useful functions that are often needed in the modern world. This is just a matter of saving money. In addition, the "Initial" edition is not for sale in Russia and the CIS.
All of the above is not presented as the truth in the highest instance, the choice is yours, given that many do not buy Windows, but download from various Internet resources - the issue of saving money is not worth it. Well, those who honestly buy an OS should approach the choice of the editorial office responsibly, because the money is yours and overpaying for something that you will never use is at least stupid.
Exceptions (where can we go without them!). If you have a tablet computer or a device with a touch screen, you better install at least Windows 7 Home Premium. If you need a presentation function (trouble-free projector connection) - then, it would seem, your choice - "Professional"? Not necessary. Of all the features of this edition, only one function is needed - and for this to overpay almost twice? Wouldn't it be easier to use a third-party utility - it comes with almost every projector and laptop?

The current official prices can be found here:
http://www.microsoftstore.ru/shop/ru-RU?WT.mc_id=StoreCountryToggle_RU

It has several dozen operating systems, some of which are actively used today. Therefore, a novice user may want to know: which version of Windows is better and which one to choose and install?

It is difficult to answer it, since any Windows (XP up to 10) has its pros and cons. We will try to analyze the various versions as objectively as possible, to understand which Windows is best for your computer.

How do I know which Windows I have? We enter in the search "information about the system", click on the highlighted link, look at the information in the window that opens. So, with the question of what OS I have, we figured it out. It remains to figure out which Windows to choose.

The 7 quickly overshadowed XP. And for good reason, because today it is the most popular OS. It finally has everything that the previous OS lacked: automatic driver updates, a decent built-in antivirus, good compatibility with wireless networks, which have already started in 2009 - the year of release - to be actively distributed, a beautiful appearance, and also much other.

It is perfect for both work and play; for many, it may be an ideal option. It remains only to choose the version.

Starter

The initial version, which has a bunch of disadvantages compared to the others:

• it only exists in 32-bit format;
• there is no ability to play or create DVD-discs, which is also very inconvenient;
• devoid of Aero effects - the main graphic feature of the seven

For weak netbooks, old computers, it will go with a bang, because it will work flawlessly. But it doesn't make much sense, since XP offers much more features, hardly anyone will want to install it.

Home

There are two versions of Home: Home Basic and Home premium. The capabilities of the former hardly differ from the Starter, but the Premium version offers much more opportunities. With it, you can experience all the delights of Windows 7: Aero graphic effects appear, support for tablet PCs, quad-core processors, and much more.

Professional

The professional version has even more advanced potential, allows you to work with a remote desktop, print over the network, work with applications for XP, more precisely, has good compatibility with them, which cannot be said about previous versions.

Windows 7 Ultimate provides all the capabilities of this OS. In addition to the functions described above, it has:

• BitLocker data protection feature;
• support for Unix applications;

Plus a number of functions that are more useful to a professional than an ordinary user.

Home Premium and Professional editions are perfect for basic tasks. If you now have a "Seven", then you can find out the version using the method described above.

Windows 8 and 8.1

"Eight" is easy to recognize by the "tiled" interface, which is strikingly different from the traditional for Windows. The "Start" button has been removed, replaced by the "Active corner", which opens a screen with icons of various applications of different sizes.

Ideally, this system is suitable for tablet PCs and laptops and netbooks with touch screens, however, the performance of the computer here will require more than to work without the brakes of the same "Seven". That being said, Windows 10 is also supported by many platforms. In Windows 8, Microsoft took the multiplatform path, and this is a plus and a minus at the same time.

The Metro interface is extremely convenient for owners of touch screens, but those who are accustomed to standard controls will find it a little awkward, at least at first. Dependence on the Internet for optimal performance ensures that everything is updated on time: applications, news, feed - new costs in the case of some Internet tariffs. The application store, made on the principle of similar ones in other systems, makes it easier to use official programs, but makes it difficult to use unlicensed software, which they like to download on Windows.

And finally, the newest, the best, which will finally remove all doubts from many. was released in 2015 and rapidly began to conquer the market. This platform has absorbed the best features of the "Seven" and "Eight" and in the end produced a kind of synthesis. The developers took into account many of the shortcomings of the previous systems and did what would meet the wishes of the bulk of users.

Visualization

A standing ovation compromise. The Start menu has returned, but now its size and content are self-determined. You can decide for yourself if you need a bunch of icons or if you should limit yourself to a standard look. The visual design is even more beautiful than on 7, but uses some of the Windows 8 chips.

Platforms

Can be used on a wide variety of devices: tablets, smartphones, laptops, netbooks, stationary PCs. This allows you to sync data across multiple devices at once. There are already models of tablets and smartphones that allow you to effectively use this OS.

Functionality

Windows 10 is great for games that run much better on it than on previous systems. Working on Windows 10 is also much more convenient, since it is the newest, all programs are perfectly combined with it.

Windows 10 works great on different PCs, regardless of their operating memory. At the same time, loading the system, exiting from sleep mode is performed much faster than on older versions.

So which Windows is better? The answer is obvious: Windows 10. 7 and 8 have certain minor advantages, but they all pale in comparison to the new "Ten". If you have already managed to install it for free, then you are very lucky. Unfortunately, now this can only be done for a fee. There are users who remain adherents of the "Seven". In some cases: old PCs, favorite interface - this may be justified. But the future is clearly in Windows 10.

Which Windows is better? Is a very interesting question. But in my opinion, it is not entirely correct, since it is not complete. It doesn't completely define what you want to know.

If you are interested in the XP version number, 7, 8, 10, then the answer is obvious. Based on the principle that each subsequent version should be better than the previous one, the answer already suggests itself. Of course, this is Windows 10. At the moment this is the latest version and it is of course the coolest. For the newest computers, it should be the best for sure. But then the questions arise: "Why is she better than the others?"; "Can I install it on old computers?"; "Can old OSs be installed on new computers?" To understand the essence of our further reasoning, you need to know what the Operating System (OS) is, what it consists of and how it works.

From Wikipedia we learn the following definition:
"An operating system, or OS for short (from the English operating system, OS), is a complex of interconnected programs designed to manage computer resources and organize user interaction." In other words, the OS must control all devices on the computer and allow the input of commands and data from input devices such as a keyboard, mouse ..., and output the results of command execution to output devices such as a monitor screen or a printer.

Operating system composition

A modern Operating System consists of 5 important components:

The kernel is the main part of the operating system, which manages all the processes of executing programs and their access to computer resources, and also manages the file system;

Drivers - programs that ensure the operation of all devices and components of the computer;

Operating system configuration files;

Command processor - converts user commands entered from the keyboard into commands understandable to the operating system;

Graphical interface - converts mouse commands into commands understandable to the operating system;

That's all. But why, then, are the installation packages so large? Yes, because all versions of Windows are not only the operating system itself, but also packages of utilities (applications) - programs that provide the convenience of working with the OS. Therefore, each version of Windows differs not so much in the kernel itself as in the software package. And this is especially noticeable in the editions of any version of Windows from XP to a dozen. That is why they differ so much in terms of features and prices.

Given the fact that after version 7, each subsequent operating system (kernel) is a continuation of the previous one, it should be assumed that versions 7 to 10 differ little from each other and are quite compatible. And this is confirmed by Microsoft itself: all operating systems from Vista to 10 are compatible. Moreover, they are similar in configuration and require at least 1 GB of RAM when installed.

Hence the conclusion that Windows 7 to 10 as an operating system differ little from each other and there is not much difference in what you want to install. But they differ significantly in the set of programs, settings and appearance (graphic design). The most noticeable difference in OS is the bit width (32 and 64 bits). It is it that determines on which computer which Windows is better to install.

If the Windows kernel is 32-bit, then the entire software package will be 32-bit. If the kernel is 64 bit, then the package will contain 64 bit programs. Of course, not all programs are 64-bit, but only those in which there is an urgent need. The rest will still be 32-bit. Since 64 bit OS allows 32 bit programs to work.

Since the Operating System is not the grace of God, designed to ensure the convenient operation of computers, but a business project created to pump out users' money, you need to look at what dirty tricks, or advantages and limitations, or innovations in which package are included. Let's see how different editions of different Windows versions differ.

Features of Windows 7 editions

Windows Vista and 7 were developed back in the days when there were only enough 32-bit processors. Therefore, they were focused primarily on the maximum use of their capabilities. And some of the capabilities of 64-bit processors have not been fully utilized. I mean support for PAE, NX and SSE2. Perhaps this was done in order to maximize compatibility with the previous version of XP and not scare away Windows fans.

Windows 7 (Starter)

For example, Windows 7 Starter exists only in 32-bit version and only allows you to work with memory sizes up to 2 GB. This is a completely minimalistic package, aimed more at cheap netbooks. Yes, these are the restrictions. On the other hand, it has everything you need:
1. Windows Media Player;
2. Improved taskbar and jump lists;
3. Windows search;
4. Joining a home group;
5. Archiving and restoration;
6. Expanded possibilities of playing media files;
7. Support Center;
8. Device management (Device Stage);
9. Streaming media files, including Play To technology;
10. Support for Bluetooth;
11. Faxes and scanning;
12. Basic set of games;
13. Credential Manager;
14. The number of simultaneously running applications is any; Which Windows is better - Windows 7 Home Basic

In principle, this edition can be used on weak laptops and especially on netbooks. It is designed for users with minimal requirements and combines reliability and speed with a familiar interface. Browse the internet. Print documents. Watch movies. Listen to music. All this is quite possible. But here it will be possible to play only light games, mainly from the Windows package. Starter is an OEM version and comes pre-installed. I think this is a great solution if there is a problem with money. But we always want more and better. For me, I would not like to put the prejudiced version at all under any circumstances.

Windows 7 (Home Basic)

As I said at the very beginning, each subsequent version is cooler than the previous one. Windows 7 Home Basic contains everything that the initial plus:

15. "Live" thumbnails in the taskbar;
16. Fast user switching;
17. Connecting to wireless networks "on the fly";
18. General access to the Internet connection;
19. Support for multiple monitors;
20. Windows Mobility Center (without presentation mode);

This is the cheapest edition available. There were some problems with controlling equipment connected via USB ports. Because of this, I also do not recommend using it. can fail at the wrong moment.

Windows 7 (Home Premium)

Windows 7 Home Premium is even cooler. In addition to all this, it also has:

21. Glass and Windows Advanced Navigation (Aero Shake and Aero Peek);
22. Background images Aero Background;
23. Windows Touch (touch and handwriting input);
24. Creating a home group;
25. Windows Media Center;
26. Playing and editing DVD-video;
27. Expanded set of games;
28. Scissors, Windows Journal, Notes;
29. Windows Sideshow (on the secondary display);

An excellent solution for most tasks, including games.

Windows 7 (Professional)

30. Printing based on location;
31. Joining the domain and group policies;
32. Connections to remote desktops (host);
33. Extended backup (network and group policies);
34. Encrypting File System (EFS);
35. Windows Mobility Center: presentation mode;
36. Offline folders;
37. Windows XP Mode;

Perhaps the best solution from the entire line. There are all the most necessary applications and there is nothing superfluous.

Windows 7 (Ultimate)

The coolest package among the home versions is Windows 7 Ultimate, among the professional Windows 7 Enterprise. If you do not go deep into the intricacies, then they are almost the same in terms of configuration and differ mainly in the licensing scheme and price. The following features have been added to their composition:

38. BitLocker and BitLocker To Go;
39. AppLocker;
40. DirectAccess;
41. BranchCache;
42. Multilingual user interface (language packs);
43. "Corporate" search;
44. Improvements in the deployment of virtual environments (VDI);
45. Booting from virtual hard disks (VHD);

Of course, this is an extremely superficial description of the applications and features included in Windows 7. To determine if you need all this. It is necessary at least to know what is what and with what it is eaten. In this case, the Internet to help. It's a pity there is no way to describe everything in detail in one article.

Comparing the above features of different editions of Windows 7, Home Premium would be the best option. It will be more than enough for you.

Before proceeding to the consideration of the Windows 8 and 10 kits, I want to remind you that Windows 8 was developed at a time when only 64-bit processors were already produced. This is probably why software support for PAE, NX and SSE2 was implemented in it. That increased the security of data and the OS itself. But it led to incompatibility of the new OS with 32-bit processors.

How to determine if your processor supports PAE, NX, and SSE2

Microsoft has released a program Coreinfo v3.31 which shows you the mapping between logical processor and physical. The logical processor topology is hardcoded into the program. The technology in your processor is marked with an asterisk. The program runs from the command line. As a result of its work, you will receive approximately the following information:

In the figure, I emphasized everything that will interest you in the first place. The first two lines are the name and topology of your processor. The next three are NX, PAE and SSE2. All of them should be marked with asterisks as shown in the picture. And although Microsoft specifies these instruction sets for all 64-bit Windows 7 to 10 as mandatory, their processor support is only enough for windows 7 and 8. For windows 8.1 and 10, this is no longer enough. The fact is that the lists of 64-bit processor instructions already contain more than 75. And old processors, released, say, in 2005, support only 15. Naturally, they cannot physically execute the rest of the instructions. Therefore, 64-bit versions of windows such as 8.1 and 10 will no longer work.

To find out if your old processor is suitable for Windows 10 or 8.1, you need to go to the Microsoft System Requirements page to install Windows 10 or 8.1. In the line "Processor" find the word highlighted in blue. This is a link to the Windows Processor Requirements page. On this page below the text there are tables of correspondences of Windows versions from 7 to 10 processor groups. Knowing the name of your processor on the Internet, you can find enough details about it and then compare it with the entries in the table.

Features of Windows 8 and 8.1 editions

Now let's see the capabilities of Windows 8 and 8.1 editions. Windows 8 was originally developed exclusively for mobile devices with touch screens and was called Windows 8 RT (RunTime). It includes touch-optimized versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote.

Then came Windows 8 and Windows 8 PRO for desktops with advanced touchscreen controls. Edition 8 includes everything that is available in Windows 7 Home Premium. And the PRO edition is equal to Windows 7 Ultimate. Both versions do not contain MS Office components.

It turned out that the initial ideas were not implemented as well as desired. And the money oh, how you want. Therefore, it seems like a new version 8.1 appeared very quickly. Well, everything is practically the same with her, only supposedly improved. And the Windows 8.1 Enterprise edition was added, which is equal in composition and capabilities to the previous PRO edition. And the PRO edition and just 8.1 have become more modest. In general, we put everything in its place as it should be. But there was a strange limitation. Edition 8.1 supports memory up to 128 GB, and PRO and Enterprise editions up to 512 GB. Apparently they were going to live for a very long time.

As you can see, the equipment is very good everywhere. Therefore, you can install whatever your heart desires. The main limitation will be only the thickness of your wallet. The most logical way is to buy the PRO version. You will get everything you can use at home and will not overpay for absolutely unnecessary.

Features of Windows 10 editions

Now let's look at the capabilities of the Windows 10 editions. Everything is quite similar to 8.1 here: - Windows 10 Home (Home) has all the basic basic features of the operating system included in the Windows 8 PRO version. That already says about the initially greater opportunities than the eight;
- Windows 10 Pro (Professional) for small businesses and home users who need advanced system capabilities corresponds to Windows 8 Enterprise or Windows 7 Ultimate;
- Windows 10 Enterprise (Enterprise) for medium and large enterprises. Windows Enterprise edition has all the features of the professional edition, as well as additional features that are relevant for use in enterprises. But in fact it already differs little from the previous version.

For those who want to buy: if you want to get the most useful for home use, then the PRO version is the best option, although the Home version will be more than enough.

Which Windows is better - Answers to questions

Now, having at hand all the necessary information, it is possible to answer more specific questions quite fully and accurately.

Which Windows is better? Or which windows is better?

As I said, the latest version is always better than the previous ones. Therefore, this is 10. Based on the set of programs and features that can be used at home, this will be the HOME version or, if you really want it, the PRO.

Answer: Windows 10 Pro (Professional) is the best option for home use.

Which Windows is better than 7 or 10?

Considering the principle, the latest development is better than the first, then this is again 10. As you remember, dozens of home editions are not worse than the PRO edition of 7. And Windows 10 Pro (Professional) includes almost all the features of Windows 7 Ultimate.

Answer: Windows 10 is better than 7 (if only because it is much more secure).

But here you should take into account the fact that Widows 7 already works well on 2 GB of RAM and on any old processors. For a 32-bit tens, 2 GB is not enough. With this amount of memory, it works slower than the seven. In addition, a dozen is not installed on 32 processors at all, since they lack support for PAE, NX and SSE2. And the 64-bit version doesn't want to work with older 64-bit processors that don't support the new 64-bit instructions. New OS for new hardware. In addition, all support for windows 7 will end in 2020.

Which Windows 7 is better for gaming?

This question could be answered immediately when considering the capabilities of windows 7. Theoretically, any edition other than the initial edition is suitable for games, due to its limitations. In reality, Windows 7 Home Premium will be the best solution. Although for games, in any case, you need to install additional packages such as: Adobe Flash Player, Visual C ++, ...

Which Windows 10 is better?

For home use, Windows 10 Home is sufficient.

This is how it all began in 2015.

Now everything has changed.

As a result of recent reinstallations, it turned out that Windows 10 already exists several versions: the first version (July 2015, its number should apparently be 1507), 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809. The version numbers correspond to the year and month of release. In each subsequent version, improvements and improvements are made. But these improvements and improvements through updates are not carried over to older versions. That is, the installed old version of Windows does not receive these innovations. To get them, you need to reinstall Windows to the new version. Therefore, all versions exist in parallel. And they are updated separately, independently of each other. The update history for all versions is located at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4018124/windows-10-update-history.

I believe that Microsoft has colluded with other software corporations. And they began to include checking the version of Windows in new programs. Already the latest versions of Photoshop and Skype do not support Windows versions below 1803. There are other programs as well. There will be a lot of them soon. Windows version 1703 and earlier home and missile defense builds are no longer supported. This means that there will be no more monthly updates for them. Microsoft itself recommends installing the latest version of Windows 10. According to its words, version 1803 and, accordingly, 1809 are the fastest loading and most productive.

So when you select the windows 10 installation package, you now need to check the build version as well. At the moment, version 1809 has been released and is recommended. Otherwise, you simply will not be able to take advantage of the new features and new programs. Starting in version 1809, there will be only Enterprise and Education builds. Their support will be carried out for no more than 30 months. And then install the new version again.

Which Windows 7 is better to install?

The best solution is the one that best suits your needs. For home use, Windows 7 Home Premium will be the best solution. But it was at the time when it was on sale as it was the best price / quality ratio. Now you can download and install anything except the initial one. Maximum is probably the most common build.

Which Windows is better for a laptop?

A laptop is the same computer as a desktop, only portable. Therefore, all the same rules apply to him. Considering that you probably want to use new software, then Windows 10 Home is fine for you.

But which one is 32 or 64 bit. Here you need to know:

What kind of processor is 32-bit or 64-bit on the laptop, new enough or very old? - the answer to this question will make it clear if you can install Windows 10 at all.

As practice has shown, Windows 10 is best installed if you have 4 GB or more of RAM. Based on this, we can safely assume that 64-bit will be better.

What does windows 10 1607/1703/1709/1803/1809 mean?

These are the release dates of the editions of Windows 10. The first pair of numbers means the year. Second month. Hence version 1607 is the July 2016 revision. As reported by Microsoft, 1803 is the fastest and most secure. Many programs in new versions support it, and even 1809. Earlier versions become irrelevant and their support is discontinued.

If you have noticed since 2017, new editions come out twice a year. In March and September. Support for old editions was 18 months. Starting with revision 1809, Microsoft promises to provide support for 30 months.

For 2 gig of RAM, which is better to put Windows 8.1 or 10?

And theoretically and practically, Windows 8.1 is lighter than 10. Accordingly, it will work a little faster. I can say for sure that 32-bit versions of both Windows will work, but not very fast anyway. I recommend reading how to speed up your computer.

With 64-bit Windows, things are a little more complicated. If the processor is too old and does not support the required lists of 64-bit instructions, then you will not be able to install them. Neither one nor that.

Computers running Microsoft operating systems hold the lion's share of the market. With the course of progress, newer and newer versions of Windows appear, often radically different from the previous ones. Typically, the main changes affect the design and usability of the system.

The most striking example is the transition from the traditional interface design in Windows 7 to the new Metro style in Windows 8. Not all users appreciated the innovation and remained working on an older, but familiar system. However, the changes in the interface do not mean that Windows 8 is any worse. It is quite difficult to immediately declare that Windows 7 or Windows 8 is better. The system is installed according to the wishes and needs of each user separately. That is, how many users there will be - so many opinions. You can choose a system for yourself if you study all its pros and cons.

Windows 7

An older operating system, in many ways similar to the classic XP. Its interface is convenient for most users who began their acquaintance with the computer long before its appearance, with XP, 95 or older versions.

pros

• Start button! No comments - almost a symbol of everyone's favorite Windows, providing easy access to programs for accustomed users.
• Orientation to an inexperienced user - this includes a convenient, detailed interface, and a well-thought-out System Restore Service in case of damage, and special protection against manual harm (blocking all actions that carry a threat and warning about it). This section also includes the improved Control Panel and Tasks.
• Improved control of connected devices - setting up any connected device, be it an old printer or a fancy camcorder, has become much easier and more understandable.
• System stability - with good setup and constant updating of all system components, as well as the presence of a normal antivirus, problems with the operating system usually do not arise. And support for the latter, at the time of its release, DirectX made it ideal for computer games (if you have an appropriate video card).
• Excellent compatibility mode with old applications - most old programs and games, when setting compatibility, started almost without problems. You can even run games designed for Windows 95.
• The ability to use all the RAM (x64) - in older systems it was impossible to put more than 3.2 GB of RAM into operation, in the 7, volumes of more than 4 GB are quietly supported.
• Fast work with information - the search for a file on the computer is fast enough. Even terabyte hard drives were “searched” without any problems in the shortest possible time.
• For notebooks, the system is well optimized in terms of power consumption - the battery power is not consumed too quickly.
• A bunch of different widgets for almost everything.

Minuses

• The OS requires a large supply of resources - old computers are not always capable of running Windows 7. They simply do not have enough capabilities for this. For the system to show itself in all its glory, you need a sufficiently powerful and modern computer.
• The stripped down capabilities of Explorer - it is problematic to find something with its help, because Microsoft employees overdid it a bit to simplify the interface.
• Almost complete absence of its own protection - it is not difficult to pick up a virus on this OS, even if both Windows Defender and Firewall are enabled. A good antivirus is vital for the operating system.
• There may be driver compatibility issues for 64-bit and 32-bit systems.
• Difficulty sharing files over the network.

Windows 8

A completely updated and redesigned system, which, according to Microsoft's idea, was to incorporate all the best from previous versions, combining it under an updated modern interface.

pros

• Accessibility and unity on all devices - the interface is extremely similar to smartphones, computers, and tablets.
• The version does not require a serious supply of resources from the device - you can run the OS on an outdated PC.
• Boot faster than Windows 7 - a junk-free and overloaded PC with this version boots in a little under a minute.
• The eight can be written to removable media and use the operating system from it.
• The ability to burn discs and process file images using the tools of the system itself. The same applies to archives - the OS itself can unpack and pack them.
• The updated Task Manager shows all available information about a particular process, allows you to quickly remove it and assess the impact on the computer.
• Explorer improved compared to the previous version - it is much more informative and convenient. All the necessary tools are placed in the "header" of the window.
• Advanced system recovery - allows you to fix any serious error without having to reinstall the system. Most often, it simply rolls back, practically without affecting the user's files. It is possible to restore the original settings without losing your own data.
• Ability to use the latest DirectX (at time of release) and support for dual processor cores.
• An improved Internet Explorer browser that rivals any other in performance.

Minuses

• The tiled interface, which is unusual for most users - during the update, many PC owners rolled back to the previous version precisely because of the appearance. It was difficult for them to relearn new principles of interaction with the device without the "Start" button.
• Not all applications are compatible with the new version.
• The search is divided into the tiled part of the system and the stationary part.
• Almost all functions of the new interface (including the Store) are tailored for use on touch devices.
• Suddenly popping notifications or toolbars can be very distracting from work.
• Synchronization with the Cloud gives some users a reason to dislike the version due to concerns about the confidentiality of files.

Drawing conclusions

Even after examining all the pros and cons, it is simply impossible to say unequivocally what is better than Windows 7 or Windows 8. For each operating system, there is a client who will appreciate all its advantages and will not consider the disadvantages important. Someone will like the unusual interface more, while others will find it necessary to have a Start button. It all depends only on the personal preferences of the owner of the device.

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Technological progress does not stand still. Humanity is committed to improving productivity. Operating systems are no exception: technological progress has affected them as well. In this article, we will look at the operating systems Windows XP and Windows 7, compare their main indicators and identify the best one.

A bit of history

Before moving on to "dissecting" operating systems, let us tell you a brief history of them.

Windows XP

One of the most successful (after Windows 98) operating systems from Microsoft. Windows XP is one of the most successful operating systems of Microsoft corporation

The target audience of the branded product is home and business users of various computer devices. This is the second attempt by the corporation to ditch the digital naming of its products.

Windows XP went on sale on October 25, 2001 and was a continuation of Windows 2000 Professional. Its name "XP" means the English word "experience", which means "experience" in translation.

It was considered one of the fastest operating systems at the time of commercial launch in 2001. The Windows NT architecture has helped reduce the cost to users when migrating from older versions by maintaining familiar functionality and the ability to run legacy applications.

Support for Windows XP was discontinued on April 8, 2014. However, Microsoft continues to release updates to antivirus protection, as there are still users working with this operating system.

Also, the advantages of the new items were stable work and the elimination of bugs with libraries that "glorified" the previous versions of windows. At the moment, it is in a state of termination of support by the manufacturer, giving way to Windows 7.

Windows 7

This operating system has overtaken Windows XP in popularity.
Windows 7 is the most popular OS in the world

It entered the market in 2009. Potential consumers were waiting for a number of significant innovations, support for high definition and new television formats. Also, the developers fixed bugs in Vista and Longhorn, due to which these systems were not successful.

Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009. As of 2017, it is the most popular operating system in the world.

Despite the introduction of new systems, Windows 7 remains the favorite working environment for many users. At the moment, her support continues.

Features and capabilities

Windows XP and Windows 7 have a number of differences.

Table: Comparison of features and capabilities of Windows XP and Windows 7

Parameter	Windows XP	Windows 7
Search	several clicks are required to call; you have to enter the request to the end; only a list of files where the search query is found is displayed; the speed of work is slow.	available in one click on the "Start" menu; the system understands the user perfectly; for text documents, displaying a fragment is available where this request occurs regardless of the case; the search is fast.
Controlling the launch of programs	you must remember where the program is located; some programs do not appear in the Start application list.	Programs are launched by smart search: just enter the first letters of the name and press enter or click on the desired program.
Using multimedia	photos and videos are displayed exclusively on the monitor; control is possible only with the mouse; it is necessary to remember exactly the location of the video or photo; to view on an external device, you need a USB flash drive.	thanks to the configured sharing, viewing is possible on any device in the home network; control of the media library is possible both with the mouse and with the remote control through the media server; Intellectual search by name has been introduced; a detailed list of media files is available in the Library menu.
Home and office network support	Only an advanced user with certain skills can create a home network.	automatic detection and friendly settings for each device; access to the resources of the operating system is possible from any part of the network; the image from the computer screen can be output to a TV screen or projector.
Child safety	It is not possible to create a safe environment for the child due to the difficulty of setting up.	The security module allows parents to set the hard disk zones and programs that are available to the child, as well as the length of time the child spends at the computer for each day of the week.
Sorting files and folders	Finding files is difficult and requires memorizing locations.	The "Library" menu has appeared in the "Explorer", which displays all the locations of important documents, favorite music and family multimedia archive on all disks and devices.
Error correction	The help system does not provide a direct answer to the question asked. Solving equipment malfunctions is treated exclusively by calling a specialist or by poking.	Our own diagnostic system will detect the problem and suggest the best methods for solving it yourself.
Surfing the internet	At the time of this writing, browsers for XP are no longer supported. Some operations required third-party applications or multiple tabs.	Wide palette of browsers to choose from. The functions of translation, searching for information, viewing files are implemented in the form of browser plugins.
Using the desktop	The background gets boring after a week. The desktop was home exclusively to icons with no widget mounting options.	The interactive desktop supports the installation of the necessary icons and notifications. The wallpaper has become animated.

Windows XP was designed to demonstrate all the achievements and positive aspects of the accumulated experience of Microsoft employees. However, the system turned out to be completely ineffective. The investment in Windows 7 paid off, giving users an environment that met the challenges of the third millennium.

Comparison of performance and system requirements

Windows XP is less demanding on hardware than its successful competitor.

On a 2007 computer with 512 megabytes or more of RAM, the system simply flew, and newer systems, including Windows 7, slowed down, as evidenced by the published results. Energy consumption indicators were not taken into account, which depend on the characteristics of the power supply and the battery capacity, causing a large error.

For clarity, here are the system requirements for both systems.

Table: System Requirements for Windows XP and Windows 7

Parameter	Windows XP (minimum)	Windows XP (recommended)	Windows 7 (32 bit)	Windows 7 (64 bit)
CPU	from 233 MHz	300 MHz	1 GHz (IA-32)	1 GHz (x86)
RAM	64 MB (some functions are limited)	128MB-4GB (no PAE support)	1 GB (limited)	2 GHz
Video card	Super VGA 800 × 600 pixels	Super VGA 800 × 600 pixels	DirectX 9 + WDMM 1.0	DirectX 9 + WDMM older version
The volume of the system partition of the hard disk	1.5 GB	2.5 GB and above	16 GB	20 GB
Optical storage	CD-ROM	DVD-ROM	DVD-ROM	DVD-ROM
User interaction	Keyboard, mouse	Keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphone		Keyboard, mouse, speakers, webcam

To get the best performance from Windows 7, you need to upgrade your computer hardware.

How to upgrade to Windows 7

If your computer or laptop meets the system requirements for Windows 7, you can upgrade. Unfortunately, the direct transition to this system is quite time consuming, so it is recommended to perform a clean installation of the operating system. Below is a step-by-step instruction.

Definition of bit depth

First you need to find out the bit capacity of the system. This can be done as follows:

Assessment of hardware compatibility

For this purpose, you will need the Windows 7 Migration Guide, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. The program is free. Installation is carried out according to the instructions.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor program is a tool designed to test your processor, memory and video card for the possibility of moving to Windows 7. After verification, the Upgrade Advisor generates a report that describes the compatibility problems between your PC and Windows 7 and suggests possible solutions.

After installation, the algorithm is as follows:

Backing up Windows XP

This operation will allow you not to lose valuable information: passwords, mail program database and calendar. If the Windows 7 installation process fails, you will be able to restore your computer's performance with minimal loss. To work you need "Windows Easy Transfer".

Windows Transfer Tool is a utility that allows you to transfer important user files from a Windows XP computer to a Windows 7 computer. You can perform this transfer using removable media or over a network.

On the application page, select the appropriate version of Windows XP, download and install the tool according to the instructions on the screen.

Installing Windows 7

While you were performing the previous operations, the desired Windows 7 distribution kit was downloaded. Transfer it to the optical media and follow the instructions in the "Custom" mode.
Install in Custom mode

To avoid conflicts, Windows XP must be removed and the disk must be formatted or another partition of the hard disk must be used.

After installation

Once the new system starts up successfully, follow these steps:

The familiar work environment is now ready for use under the control of the new system.

Video: how to transfer data from an old Windows XP computer to a new one with Windows 7

Answering the question, which of the presented OS is better, you need to focus primarily on what you want from it. Choose Windows XP if you are satisfied with a system with good performance with the least resource consumption, but remember that support for Windows XP is discontinued, which puts your computer at serious risk. If you have a powerful computer, you like trying new software products and playing demanding games, then you should opt for Windows 7.