Has anyone else here tried Windows 7 yet?

[RonJon]

My wife and I each bought a copy when Amazon was taking pre-orders @ $49.95 ea. last summer.

Well, they arrived right on Oct.22 (the official release day).

I tried the 64 bit version first (they give BOTH 32 and 64 bit in the Pkg). It worked very well on my (previously XP Professional) computer, but I gave up on it since I couldn't get the 32 bit printer drivers to work at all with the XP based laptops, (which are 32 bit) anymore that depend on the HP color and laser printers that I host on my home network with my Dell desktop as the server.

The 64 bit printer drivers that I downloaded from HP worked ok on my Dell, but some of the features I had before were omitted.

While I had the 64 bit version in, it worked very well in all other respects and, thinking that I could solve the printer problem, I ordered 2 more GB of ram (for a total of 4 GB) for my Dell since the 64 bit can make full use of it.

Anyway, now I have the 32 bit version installed and the 4GB installed and, since it's now a 32 bit system, it only recognizes 3.25 GB.

But, the new OS 7 looks very good! (Much, much improved from my wifes Vista!). It's a bit different than XP, but same enuff to figure out pretty quickly and most of the new features are definitely better! ( I only miss the task tray icon that indicated internet uploading/downloading, but I'm counting on someone coming along soon with an add-on for that.

The efficiency of the rest is great and my early opinion now (after 1 week) is that I'd recommend it for those who, like me, refused to get Vista.

Ron

 

[jarhead1991]

I just recently bought a new Sony laptop that came with Windows 7... moving up from my Vista laptop, I completely agree that it is a great improvement.

My brother is an IT professor at the local university... he best described it as "it sucks less than Vista"...

 

[Texas Star]

I think I recently upgraded to Windows 8? Almost sure of that. Can't tell that it does any more than 7 did, and I seem to encounter more glitches. And a computer-savvy guy tells me that each "upgraded" version of Windows makes it easier for Microsoft to acquire personal data for whatever purpose they're using it. That is an invasion of privacy, in my book.

But some sites seemed to want Explorer 8 to allow viewing the entire site, videos, etc.

Actually, the Windows 98 on the used computer that I started with some years ago seemed to do all that I do.
I hope that I've at least acquired more malware and spyware protection with these "upgrades." You can't visit many store sites or read news on the Net but what some jerk company installs cookies on you!

T-Star

 

[Noah Zark]

I'm sticking with XP Pro. No reason to "upgrade." It does everything I need, and is the most stable Microsoft OS I've ran to date.

"Upgrade" . . . Microsoft euphenisim for "revenue enhancement."

Noah

 

[p0838]

I have windows xp.
It's very slow in shutting down.
Any way to speed it up?

 

[Hunt200]

I have windows xp.
It's very slow in shutting down.
Any way to speed it up?

XP shutdown faster​

When a user shuts down Windows XP, first the system has to kill all services currently running. Every once in a while the service does not shut down instantly and windows gives it a change to shut down on its own before it kills it. This amount of time that windows waits is stored in the system registry. If you modify this setting, then windows will kill the service earlier. To modify the setting, follow the directions below:
1. Start Regedit.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control.
3. Click on the "Control" Folder.
4. Select "WaitToKillServiceTimeout"
5. Right click on it and select Modify.
6. Set it a value lower than 2000 (Mine is set to 200).

 

[Hunt200]

Ron, I hooked up my printer to my router via the USB port and was able to get the 64 and 32 bit to work with it. It would not work when the printer was attached and shared to either the 32 or 64.

 

[SWBigBang]

I have windows xp.
It's very slow in shutting down.
Any way to speed it up?

This happened to me after installing a wireless printer. Especially if the printer is off then it takes even longer.

 

[Kid Sopris]

I received a new HP the other day and it came with Vista, Along with a coupon for a Free upgrade to Windows 7.

However once I learned the Vista, and it was a PITA and I STOPPED using Internet Explorer and instead went with Mozilla, MOST of if not all of my running issues disappeared.

IE 8 uses more memory and takes longer to shut down, even after you log off the internet when you have cable or some similar type internet provider.

The new CD for Windows 7 is in the mail and I am going to wait before I load it....My computer is running perfect now.

 

[cmort666]

I'm sticking with XP Pro. No reason to "upgrade." It does everything I need, and is the most stable Microsoft OS I've ran to date.

"Upgrade" . . . Microsoft euphenisim for "revenue enhancement."

Noah

No, Microsoft euphemism for "get your customers to PAY to be beta testers."

I've got a Linux Samba based Windows domain set up in my home, so I HAVE to have the "Pro" version of whatever Windows is installed. There was no way I was going to drop $200+ for Vista Pro, which I loathe. The only person I know who liked Vista is my best friend from college who works for Microsoft. He gets PAID to like it.

I NEVER buy the initial version of any Microsoft OS. It's like paying to be a drug test subject when you're not sick. I'm out of work and don't have the money to waste on something I don't need right now, that I HAVE to buy the most expensive version of.

 

[Jack Flash]

My brother is an IT professor at the local university... he best described it as "it sucks less than Vista"...

Oh, that's a great endorsement!

I'm sticking with XP Pro. No reason to "upgrade." It does everything I need, and is the most stable Microsoft OS I've run to date.

"Upgrade" . . . Microsoft euphenisim for "revenue enhancement."

Noah

I learned a long time ago to never "upgrade" til forced to do so. ESPECIALLY WHERE MICROSOFT IS CONCERNED!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I think VISTA is OK...but then again I went directly from Windows98 to VIsta
I think the secret to VISTA is to have at least 4gb RAM (at least that is what I was told and is what I bought). I don't trust myself to change operating syatems so I will not be upgrading to 7.

 

[mod29fan]

Dare I say......I like Vista. I've had no issues whatsoever in 9 months of running it and it does everything I need it to do.

 

[Lenshappy]

I've had no issues whatsoever in 9 months

I don't knows noth'n 'bout birth'n no babies!

 

[Knightrider03m]

I was able to get a free upgrade for Windows 7. After running 7, I think that for people that has Vista shouldn't waste their money on Windows 7. The "upgrades" that 7 offer isn't worth the extra money. However, if you have XP, I would upgrade to to Visa (since it maybe cheaper to get it now) or Windows 7.

 

[mod29fan]

I don't knows noth'n 'bout birth'n no babies!

mees neethers

 

[JcMack]

I've worked with Windows since 3 then Win for workgroups, 95, 98, 98b, ME, 2000, XP, 2003 server. I like XP pro the best for general use, and ease of operation. I don't need the display options that Vista seems to afford.

 

[Rule3]

I'm sticking with XP and Firefox. My wife has Vista and it is a royal pain. I waited over a year to install XP so I'll wait at least that long for Win 7. What's it gonna do for me that XP doesn't??

 

[Jack Flash]

I third the motion, JcMack and OCD1. Why horse around with MS's dubious "upgrade" (which by the way, I would have to pay for!) when XP meets my current needs just fine?

 

[cmort666]

I was able to get a free upgrade for Windows 7. After running 7, I think that for people that has Vista shouldn't waste their money on Windows 7. The "upgrades" that 7 offer isn't worth the extra money. However, if you have XP, I would upgrade to to Visa (since it maybe cheaper to get it now) or Windows 7.

If you've got XP and like it, I most definitely would NOT switch to Vista.

1. It just won't leave you alone. Microsoft went from no security to asking you about ANYTHING the operating system might do. It's annoying as hell. Who wrote the procedures for authorizing operations, Adrian Monk?

2. The Vista interface seems to be an end in itself. It's like the special effects in the last three "Star Wars" movies. The user interface is supposed to be a MEANS to the end of using the system effectively. I don't use the computer so that I can watch the interface do stuff.