Windows 7 Review, Should You Upgrade?

Now that Microsoft is all set to release its much anticipated version of its new operating system, Windows 7, the big question is – Is it worth making the change? Well, if the new features and improvements incorporated in the Windows 7 Release Candidate1 is any indication to go by then the jump to Windows 7 will in fact be worth making.

Windows 7 RC1 (Release Candidate) has shown that Microsoft does not intend to make any earth-shaking changes but has instead opted to fine-tune the operating system to improve productivity and overall usefulness.

Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 will include a feature called Windows XP Mode, which will run XP applications in an XP compatibility box, but to users it will appear as if the applications are running directly in Windows 7. If Microsoft does include this feature (This feature was not included in Windows7 RC1), then it will give the Windows users best of both worlds. XP users can opt for Windows 7 and take advantage of its numerous new features and also run XP as if it were part of Windows 7.

Windows 7 RC1 is a faster and more efficient operating system than the previous Windows versions. It also includes a number of subtle user-interface changes. For instance, the task bar adopts a new feature that Microsoft calls “task bar thumbnail overflow”. Numerous files that are opened in a particular application can be viewed by moving the mouse over its icon on your taskbar. With this feature, when you highlight any file on the list you get a peek at the highlighted window. Also, you can close the window by clicking a small “X”, similar to the thumbnail view.

People who prefer to use the keyboard over the mouse will welcome a new keyboard shortcut for the taskbar that makes it easier for users to jump to an individual window in an application without using the mouse. In addition to the above two points, there are many other useful features that have been included in the Windows 7 RC1 taskbar.

Other user-interface changes include a much improved Windows Explorer and file search utility. For instance, when you search for a file, pieces of information from the file searched are displayed, which is quite helpful in determining whether this file is the one you are looking for or not.

Microsoft has also done a few desktop tweaks in Windows 7 RC1, making it more attractive and useful. All the desktop backgrounds included are quite attractive and entertaining. In Windows RC1, you also have the option to hide the desktop icons and gadgets.

Windows 7 RC1 also includes a few networking improvements that previous versions of Windows PCs lacked. The most notable is the use of option called “HomeGroups”, which provides structure to the process of sharing devices, media files and other files over a home network.

All in all it will be correct to say that Windows 7 RC1 is a much quicker, efficient and attractive operating system when compared to the previous Windows versions and it will be worth investing money in upgrading your PC to Windows 7 when it is released.

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