Assessing Windows 7, one month later
In October, hoping to reduce expectations in advance of Windows 7's launch, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer noted that Windows Vista also received favorable reviews from testers prior to its launch. "I am optimistic," he told Bloomberg News in an interview about Windows 7, "but the proof will be in the pudding."
It's now more than one month since Windows 7's Oct. 22 debut, and
that pudding is worth a closer look. That's because, at this point in
Windows Vista's life cycle, there were clear signs of widespread
problems. "Vista glitches frustrate first-wave users," was the headline
on a Feb. 20, 2007, article in Newsday -- detailing what would turn out
to be a rash of hardware and software compatibility problems.
So far, at least, Windows 7 seems to have avoided that type of debacle.
Of course, success is more than the avoidance of failure. And the upgrade to Windows 7 hasn't been without complication, particularly for people moving from Windows XP, or for students participating in Microsoft's discounted upgrade program. Windows 7 also hasn't gone unscathed from a security standpoint.
But sales of the new OS appear to be strong so far, my own experience running the operating system has been smooth, and favorable comments still outweigh complaints in the "Windows 7" Twitter search that I've been checking regularly during the month since the launch. I also haven't been hearing the types of complaints that I frequently did in Windows Vista's early days.
In fact, the biggest Windows 7 controversy so far has involved not the new operating system's performance, but the revelation that the National Security Agency worked with Microsoft and the Department of Defense to leverage its "unique expertise and operational knowledge of system threats and vulnerabilities to enhance Microsoft's operating system security guide," as an NSA official told a U.S. Senate subcommittee.
Understandably, that comment raised speculation and concerns that the NSA would be able to eavesdrop on Windows 7 users through a technological "backdoor" -- which Microsoft subsequently denied.
So what's next? Microsoft has started to hint about the next version of Windows Server coming in 2012, raising speculation about the timing of Windows 8 for PCs. But so far, at least, Microsoft's Windows president Steven Sinofsky isn't tipping his hand at all -- which means that the recipe for the next Windows will remain secret while people decide if they really like the one Microsoft just put on their plate.
Read more of Todd Bishop's posts at TechFlash.com, and follow him on Twitter @toddbishop
David on November 24, 2009 at 05:55 AM
While my own experiences with Windows 7, which began with the beta and ran through the RC, haven't been uniformly positive, every computer I've installed it on that was previously running another version of Windows has run smoother, better, faster after the upgrade. Users I've switched from Windows XP to Win7 have needed just about zero "training" to transition to the OS--just, "There are some cool things about Aero you'll want to look into, the hidden icons in your System Tray are now in that little "up arrow" box and you'll like the Libraries."
Seriously. In my experience, that's about all the "training" users switching from XP to Win7 have needed to be immediately productive and comfortable. That's nice as just one benefit of upgrades. Add to that a firewall that's easily "good enough" and Microsoft Security Essentials, which garnered some kudos in a recent head-to-head against some of the best third-party security suites, and a Win7 box is easily "good enough" for most users.
The upgrade difficulties I've heard about in tales of woe from folks are, for the most part, user-generated. I've not had a single fresh install or upgrade be problematic, yet. On some slightly older computers with minimum specs for the OS, things did take a while--mostly from running Windows Easy Transfer, but that was to be expected.
All-in-all, I rate Win7 as Microsoft's best desktop offering since Windows 2000 Pro. (I never warmed to XP, and Vista was a low-performance dog on most "certified for Vista" hardware.)
dataGuy on November 24, 2009 at 06:14 AM
Why no mention of the DRM built into the OS? The media DRM was the main reason I avoided Vista. Since Win7 is a service pack to Vista obviously the DRM is still there; not that there is much talk of it in the media.
Funny thing is, other than plugging the laptop into the TV or ripping a CD, I never use the media functions. For me it is the principle of the thing. I'm not paying for an OS to use cycles to look over my shoulder to make sure I'm not doing something IP owners don't want me to do, with the products I payed for. MS crossed the line, so for me there is no Windows upgrade in my future.
Kevin Hisel on November 24, 2009 at 06:21 AM
The DRM built into Vista/7 is HDCP which is required to view Blu-ray movies. There is no DRM in Vista/7 that will prevent you from using your computer to enjoy media files just like you do with XP.
David Starr on November 24, 2009 at 06:27 AM
Is Win 7 any faster than XP? Can it boot is less than 45 seconds? Does it use less than 43Kb of kernel memory? Does it use less than 7 Gigs of disk? Will it copy a DVD or CD? Does it still have the RPC security hole? In short, what does Win 7 do that XP doesn't do?
hugh on November 24, 2009 at 06:29 AM
Talk about a grudgingly positive review. I know you're a Mac buttboy, but try to give credit where credit is due: Windows 7 is the best OS ever from Microsoft, and the best OS on the market today.
The Raging Patriot on November 24, 2009 at 06:32 AM
The last comment makes no sense. Aside from the sketchy grammar and spelling, what strikes me most is that you want to be able to steal products and services that don't belong to you. You are bitter towards Microsoft because they make it more difficult.
I suppose you hate showing that ticket stub to the door person to get back in to the theater too. After all, how offensive is it that they make you prove that you actually, you know, PAID to get in.
Well, by you not upgrading, you are probably doing what Microsoft would prefer anyway.
Matt Harris on November 24, 2009 at 06:43 AM
I purchased a new Win 7 based machine 2 weeks ago. It is much faster than my old machine (A 3 yr old XP based laptop), but the hardware is vastly superior - so I can't necessarily give Win 7 the credit. Overall, I like the OS, although I really, really miss the classic start menu.
Darrell on November 24, 2009 at 07:00 AM
hugh, your nose is all dirty from kissing MS a$$. How embarrassing. Have a little pride.
Vader on November 24, 2009 at 08:12 AM
Windows 7 the best out there today? I much prefer my Ubuntu system. Heck, I much prefer my old XP system.
But I recently bought and set up a new computer for a friend, and it had Windows 7 on it. Took two weeks to get the wireless going, because every time I looked at the Windows 7 compatibility page for a compatible wireless adapter, purchased one, and plugged it in, it turned out not to be compatible after all. I finally contacted the wireless adapter manufacturer directly, and they admitted they had written Windows 7 drivers for only *one* of their adapters so far. (I purchased it and it did work.) In other words, the compatibility claims on the Windows 7 site turned out not to be the case. What a joke. On the consumer.
Geoff on November 24, 2009 at 08:46 AM
You have to hand it to Microsoft. It only takes billions of dollars and about 25 years to make an OK product.
amy on November 24, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Win7 takes better advantage of newer CPUs and RAM than XP, but I can't say it will run any faster on old hardware than XP. It would probably run a little slower, if you leave the Aero stuff enabled, it's far more graphics intensive than XP. If you are buying a new PC, I'd definitely recommend Win7. I'm not sure I'd pony up the cost to upgrade any pc older than 3yrs.
Also, the Ubuntu comments. People always drag these out but you miss the point, the average windows user doesn't want to have to re-learn how to use their computer. Not to mention the software issue. Quicken? All their cute little Shockwave/Flash things? Video games? etc etc etc. I know you (and anyone else who uses linux) thinks is super easy to use and why not? But you are glossing over all those little things that differ between the os's. And do you think Ubuntu will be any more secure when joe blow runs as root all day long?
~amy
(sr. linux admin, btw - I use win7 at home.)
Kevin on November 24, 2009 at 09:30 AM
The one big annoyance I have is Microsoft's perverse removal of existing MS apps in favor of its Windows Live suite. In particular, Windows Live Mail is a turd compared to either Outlook Express or Vista's Windows Mail. While Outlook Express might not be compatible (although there is no real reason why it would be), Windows Mail has been shown to work on Win7 if certain MS-added roadblocks are removed.
One suspects that this is all a plan of Microsoft's to move the average user to their "Live Spaces" internet areas in competition with other social networking sites. By removing all bundled software "in the interests of fairness" they expect to drive people to their new cloud products.
I'd much rather have Outlook Express and the "old" Microsoft than this kludgy Windows Live nonsense. But we're not given a choice. Expect maybe stick with XP. A proper mail program is just about enough reason.
(and no, I don't like Thunderbird or Eudora, which are basically newsreaders anyway).
Gale Surname on November 24, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Windows Live is such a mess. I could no longer use Outlook (full, not Express), & I dislike browser accessed mail so much. I finally gave up, downloaded Eudora and switched my e-mail address to the one Verizon had for me. It is going to take me six months to move completely to this new e-mail address & close out the MS one. Can anyone out there get Win Live to work? What a mess!
K on November 24, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Multiple CPU chips are supported better by a newer operating system. You probably want to move to System 7 for them.
Otherwise, unless games and graphics are important home users have no reason to go beyond Windows 2000 Professional. As the number indicates it is over a decade old.
I am using W2000 at the moment. I have used XP and Vista and have nothing against them. They just don't advance matters very much.
My machine runs for months w/o problems. Intuit notified me the 2010 TurboTax won't run with W2000. I'll manage w/o them.
Jonathan on November 24, 2009 at 11:44 AM
After many months with Win7, from beta to RC, I have been more impressed with each release. In a way, Win7 is a Vista makeover that has very little Vista left (which is really the only way to revamp Vista is to dump it all..) and I disagree with the writer who say that Vista is the worst OS Microsoft ever launched - forget not the foolish release of Windows Millenium Edition - ouch, it wasn't just bad, it was embarresing, and still is, some things you cannot live down. But with products like Windows 7, you can put the past further back and look forward to some very nice features that make this OS a real productivity powerhouse. The Aero preview windows, which some regard as "gimmicky" are an amazing time saver, a quick glimpse at your desktop environment without having to open every window to see what the heck your working on. The ability to pin and unpin prog's to the taskbar is a great enhancement (and for all I know, perhaps that was available in Vista... I just could never get myself to get into Vista, it gave me a bad vibe and still does..) And lastly, Windows 7 is proving to be a great gaming platform. Finally, Microsoft is pulling together a lot of loose ends which have been out there for so long. Macs are cool, no doubt, but Windows 7 with it's ultra customizable feature may have a real edge - at least for us creative types.
LL on November 24, 2009 at 11:59 AM
0-20 i give 13,5.
It is still plagued by an interface inconsistencies and useless over complication. For Microsoft coders is fashionable to make another window to define another option instead of putting them all in same window... It is less worse than Vista but seems a policy to force the user to have to move too many hops to go to the controls.
In short while Microsoft seems to have fired the worst OS bureaucrats it is still not close to ease of use that is possible to achieve.
Win7 could have been a much better OS in user interaction.
Sam on November 24, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Thanks for the article. I read the article to see whether there is any reason to move our existing computers off of XP. The answer seems to still be "No".
ps: Good to see Jonathan drop by from the Microsoft marketing department and leave a sales blurb.
James Dixon on November 25, 2009 at 08:09 AM
Amy:
> And do you think Ubuntu will be any more secure when joe blow runs as root all day long?
> sr. linux admin, btw
Really? Then you'd think you'd know enough about Linux to know that Ubuntu doesn't let you log on as root.
Gale:
> It is going to take me six months to move completely to this new e-mail address & close out the MS one.
Take a look at http://www.pobox.com.
They're an email forwarding service. For $20/year, you keep the same email address and have it forwarded to whatever service provider you desire.
There are other places offering the same service, but I've been a satisfied customer of pobox.com for quite a while now.
Sam:
> I read the article to see whether there is any reason to move our existing computers off of XP. The answer seems to still be "No".
Yes, the answer is still no. :)
If you get a new machine, Windows 7 will be fine, but I wouldn't recommend upgrading a machine which came with XP. XP will be supported for quite a while yet.
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