Comments on: To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade…That is the Windows 7 Question http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/ Business, Technology and Staffing insights from RSA Corp. Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:06:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Greg Crawford http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-4130 Greg Crawford Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:40:16 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-4130 Hello Bruce! 7 uses the same kernel as Vista, which is completely rewritten from XP. That being said, I am comfortable saying that 7 is what Vista should have been. The kernel is solid but it's implementation in Vista was not ideal. Microsoft clearly did significant work to improve performance and usability and has produced a product that is a worthy successor to XP. My experience is that 7 is hands down faster and more usable and reliable than Vista despite sharing Vista's DNA. Memory utilization is improved and the core components have been streamlined to load faster and require fewer system resources. As to upgrading from Vista, it depends on your version. Check this link for more information <span style="text-color:#ffffff;">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7</span> And at the risk of opening a can of worms, I will clarify my earlier statement about upgrades to this: There is currently no supported method of upgrading from XP to 7 that retains setting and applications. Hello Bruce!
7 uses the same kernel as Vista, which is completely rewritten from XP. That being said, I am comfortable saying that 7 is what Vista should have been. The kernel is solid but it’s implementation in Vista was not ideal. Microsoft clearly did significant work to improve performance and usability and has produced a product that is a worthy successor to XP. My experience is that 7 is hands down faster and more usable and reliable than Vista despite sharing Vista’s DNA. Memory utilization is improved and the core components have been streamlined to load faster and require fewer system resources. As to upgrading from Vista, it depends on your version. Check this link for more information http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7
And at the risk of opening a can of worms, I will clarify my earlier statement about upgrades to this: There is currently no supported method of upgrading from XP to 7 that retains setting and applications.

]]> By: Bruce Oliver http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-4125 Bruce Oliver Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:20:26 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-4125 Greg, I heard (from an IT dude) that Win 7 was really Vista with some enhanced display modifications that slightly improve performance over Vista. This was somewhat contrary to the reports I had been hearing about its great performance over Vista. Most of your comparitive comments have been toward Win 7 vs XP. Is it faster significantly than Vista? Is it as much of a memory hog as Vista? If I wanted to upgrade, are you saying that you can't upgrade and you have to start from scratch with a new install of Win 7? Greg, I heard (from an IT dude) that Win 7 was really Vista with some enhanced display modifications that slightly improve performance over Vista. This was somewhat contrary to the reports I had been hearing about its great performance over Vista. Most of your comparitive comments have been toward Win 7 vs XP. Is it faster significantly than Vista? Is it as much of a memory hog as Vista? If I wanted to upgrade, are you saying that you can’t upgrade and you have to start from scratch with a new install of Win 7?

]]> By: Greg Crawford http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-3943 Greg Crawford Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:32:18 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-3943 Martin, There is a performance benefit for 64 bit computing. Moving to 64 bit will ensure the best compatability in the long term, but there may be challenges in the short term. Windows 7 provides ways to work around those challenges, but you just need to be aware that from time to time you may - for example - need to open certain Web sites in the 32 bit version of IE and not the 64 bit version. Windows 7 also has a compatability mode that can be applied to applications that either do not work and play well with windows 7 or with a 64 bit OS. To stack the deck in favor of a positive experience, I would do some due diligence: -Make sure you do indeed have a 64 bit processor -Make sure all your applications will function under windows 7, or that updates are available -Make sure your hardware (printers, etc.) offers windows 7 or Vista 64 bit drivers. -Make sure you have access to the installation media for all your applications. You should also be aware that there is not an official direct upgrade path and that installing either version of windows 7 will require a reinstall of all applications. And as always make sure you get a good backup before pulling the trigger. Martin,

There is a performance benefit for 64 bit computing. Moving to 64 bit will ensure the best compatability in the long term, but there may be challenges in the short term. Windows 7 provides ways to work around those challenges, but you just need to be aware that from time to time you may – for example – need to open certain Web sites in the 32 bit version of IE and not the 64 bit version.

Windows 7 also has a compatability mode that can be applied to applications that either do not work and play well with windows 7 or with a 64 bit OS. To stack the deck in favor of a positive experience, I would do some due diligence:

-Make sure you do indeed have a 64 bit processor
-Make sure all your applications will function under windows 7, or that updates are available
-Make sure your hardware (printers, etc.) offers windows 7 or Vista 64 bit drivers.
-Make sure you have access to the installation media for all your applications.

You should also be aware that there is not an official direct upgrade path and that installing either version of windows 7 will require a reinstall of all applications. And as always make sure you get a good backup before pulling the trigger.

]]> By: Martin Meyer http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-3934 Martin Meyer Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:57:05 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-3934 I have been thinking of upgrading to 7, but have been reluctant to since my XP seems to be working fine. My son who is more technically oriented than I says I should upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit what is your take on this. I have been thinking of upgrading to 7, but have been reluctant to since my XP seems to be working fine. My son who is more technically oriented than I says I should upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit what is your take on this.

]]> By: Felicia http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-3931 Felicia Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:26:22 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-3931 I can't wait to get it on my work laptop - unfortunately our VPN client is a bit behind in that because we'd have to uprade the equipment to get the new client to work. Good post Greg! Love you! I can’t wait to get it on my work laptop – unfortunately our VPN client is a bit behind in that because we’d have to uprade the equipment to get the new client to work. Good post Greg! Love you!

]]> By: Stephen Sweeney http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-3749 Stephen Sweeney Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:40:17 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-3749 Amrou, my show desktop button is on the far right of the taskbar, to the right of the system tray. I don't find it obtrusive. Is yours somewhere more obtrusive? Greg, great post. I'm enjoying my Windows 7 install. Much much better than my wife's Vista. Much faster than my old XP install and this is on a 5 year old laptop. I am particularly impressed with the system performance and boot times. Most of my gripes relate to Office 2007 and the changed keyboard shortcuts in Excel. I'm still trying to find old commands on the new menu ribbons. Productivity has definitely slowed for me in that department. And your glasses are certainly sharp. Stick with that look! Amrou, my show desktop button is on the far right of the taskbar, to the right of the system tray. I don’t find it obtrusive. Is yours somewhere more obtrusive?

Greg, great post. I’m enjoying my Windows 7 install. Much much better than my wife’s Vista. Much faster than my old XP install and this is on a 5 year old laptop. I am particularly impressed with the system performance and boot times. Most of my gripes relate to Office 2007 and the changed keyboard shortcuts in Excel. I’m still trying to find old commands on the new menu ribbons. Productivity has definitely slowed for me in that department. And your glasses are certainly sharp. Stick with that look!

]]> By: Amrou http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-3741 Amrou Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:46:18 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-3741 Thanks for the great insight, Greg. My only gripe about Windows 7 so far is that I miss my default Quick Launch toolbar and I don't like not having the "Show Desktop" button readily available on my taskbar. Thanks for the great insight, Greg. My only gripe about Windows 7 so far is that I miss my default Quick Launch toolbar and I don’t like not having the “Show Desktop” button readily available on my taskbar.

]]> By: felish http://partnerit.com/2009/09/to-upgrade-or-not-to-upgrade%e2%80%a6that-is-the-windows-7-question/comment-page-1/#comment-3737 felish Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:48:50 +0000 http://partnerit.com/?p=216#comment-3737 Hey I like your glasses! I will pass this article around my crib and see what they say.... Hey I like your glasses! I will pass this article around my crib and see what they say….

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