User Reviews

1. Review Date: 2009-11-24

   I own three computers at the moment (Dell Mini Netbook running Windows 7 Professional 32bit, MacBook (black) running Windows 7 Professional 32bit, and custom configured Desktop running Windows 7 Professional 64bit). I did a clean installation on all of them. I had no problem with drivers except on MacBook build in mouse pad but all I had to do was run driver pack for Bootcamp and it was all good.
   
   Stability:
   Actually I have been running Windows 7 Ultimate Beta from 2008 Dec. It's so hard to explain how stable the OS was even at Beta stage. Hands down Windows 7 is way more stable than Vista and XP. Even on my netbook is running full version of Windows 7 Professional with all the features. Start up and Shutdown time is much faster than before. I always loved gadgets in Vista but it so memory hogging; I never used it, but Windows 7 gadgets perform memory efficiently and can easily be move around. The wake up from sleep and hibernation is much faster now and this is a hug time saver on my laptop and netbook.
   
   My Favorite Features:
   
   Task Bar
   I love the new task bar. This is very efficient; I have access to all my favorite programs with one click and no matter how many instances I am running, it is still not cluttered. I can also navigate quickly to the right window with sneak peak and close down if I don't want that window. And if your programs support jump list then you can go to your last worked document in two clicks. Also window snap is a life saver. It's so easy to transfer files from one window to another now or to compare documents/files.
   
   Homegroup
   Wow, this is a breeze now. You would love this if you have more than one computer. It's so simple to add a new computer or create a new homegroup. You can share your files or devices between computers so seamlessly and so much faster. What makes this even better is what's called Libraries in Windows 7. I will give a good example on this. I have lots of movies and videos. As you know average video file of a TV program is about good 700MB. So I have all my videos on my separate hard drive on my desktop. With homegroup I can have this hard drive to share and then on my laptop I can add this drive on the desktop as a path in my video Library. This saves tons of space on my netbook and laptop. I can have access to any file I want in other computer but it doesn't even feel like it's in a separate computer because libraries put all your files to one place no matter where the data is. You have to try this out to see how efficient things can get and how easy and seamless it is now. Setting up all this was only couple of clicks. It's the same if you have devices that you want to share.
   
   Windows Media Player and Media Center
   Now it supports more Codecs. This is something most people don't know about new media player; it has some awesome streaming features. If you have Windows 7 compatible devices such as another PC or a TV you can stream music to the device. I can start watching a movie in my desktop, then if I feel like to finish watching the movie in bed I just stream it to the laptop and watch in the bed. I find this awesome and it doesn't stop there. If you a have Windows Live ID you can assign this account to your profile on your Desktop and access and play music from your laptop anywhere with internet. So indirectly it acts as a media server :D. New Media Center has lots of partners there for you can watch almost all your favorite TV programs on your PC (CBS, The CW MSN, MSNBC, NETFLIX, showtime).
   
   Explorer 8
   I am a big fan of Firefox. But I have been using explorer more often now and it's my default browser. Most sites load fast as Firefox. But explorer itself launch faster than Firefox. Tabs are multi-threaded now so if one tab crashes it doesn't bring down all my tabs. And I have to say it hasn't crashed on my only few times, on times it has crashed I copied and pasted the link on Firefox and my Firefox crashed as well. So there is not much difference there. I like how I can control all add-ons in new explorer from one place. If a search add-on is not therefore your favorite site you can simply create your own in 30 seconds. accelerators also make it more efficient, i dont have to type to look up things (maps, words - dictionary). Also I find InPrivate brower pretty useful ;).
   
   Search
   Search has evolved from Vista. It's even faster now and it doesn't hog your computer when it indexing. If you install some filters like Foxit PDF IFilter it truly shines and makes your life much easier.
   
   Finally, i have to say 64 bit is something you can live with now. Its not a hassel to find drivers or programs anymore. i managed to install all programs i run on my 32bit to work on 64bit with no effort.
   
   Tip: If you are a college student you will get hug discount, also check if you school is part of MSDN acadamic, if it is you can get free copy of Windows 7. :D if any of the above doesnt apply to you, you can always get an OEM copy which is cheaper
   
   Recommended Free Programs
   Live Mesh - Sync files between computers (I use Live Mesh to sync my documents and pics but use Live Sync to sync my large files, this way you won't waste your online storage on Mesh). This program is so highly underate at the moment. if you use it ones you will get addictive.
   Foxit Reader - alternate to Adobe Reader but smaller and faster, also include tabs.
   VLC Media Player - for those codecs not included in WM player
   7-zip - I used to be a WinRAR fan but new 7Zip is much better and faster
   Windows Live Mail/Messenger/Photo Gallery/ Movie Maker and also Sync
   Live Mesh - Sync files between computers (I use Live Mesh to sync my documents and pics but use Live Sync to sync my large files, this way you won't waste your online storage on Mesh)
   PDFill Tools - split, merge, or print to PDF
   [...] - for everything you can't do in paint and alternative to photoshop
   Zune - manage my music library, auto DJ is pretty neat even if u don't have a subscription or a zune
   Smart Defrag - much better than build in defrag
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   User: Nilantha Aluthgedara
   Rating:
   Summary: Best OS from MS
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

2. Review Date: 2009-11-24

   i have had windows me,windows xp,windows vista, BUT THIS IS THE BEST WINDOWS !!!!!!!
   THANK,MICROSOFT.
   ROBERT
   
   User: Robert L. tucker
   Rating:
   Summary: best windows
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

3. Review Date: 2009-11-17

   If you stuck with XP this long Win 7 does not offer a compelling reason to upgrade until you buy a new computer except for a very few specific applications(laptop battery life being my personal #1). That said- Win 7 is what Vista tried to be and failed. Faster, less junk bloatware, better organized, more secure, and very few bugs for a new release OS from Microsoft.
   
   The downside is no direct upgrade path from XP but you have all your data backed up don't you? Not a big deal if you don't but there might be a bit of trial and error. The directions provided by Microsoft and the utilities you will be directed to download actually seem to work for the vast majority of people helping make the upgrade less painful. Just remember that for certain things like Itunes you need to back up your downloads separately from the Microsoft utility. I had a backup from a few months ago but forgot I had purchased a few songs since which I did not have backed up.
   
   Win 7 recognized almost all my drivers and did not have an issue with any. Far different than the Vista I ended up giving away when I went back to XP a couple years ago, though to be fair at this point Vista is a stable OS with a few more features than XP.
   
   Bootup and shutdown times are impressive. I installed Win 7 over XP after backing up to see how it would do recognizing my partitions and dual hard drives. No problems there! In fact the only issue I have had with it so far is getting a few games to work with it. Not because it is 64 bit but due to the user account control security/organizing feature and the limitations of an older game working with my brand new video card(not a Microsoft issue on the video card).
   
   I use duel monitors and a 3 way KVM which works ok. The monitor support in Win 7 is better than XP or Vista but most likely you will want to download some 3rd party software tailored to such setups. I have had absolutely no problems with internet connection that some people have reported in the reviews here on Amazon. I use Firefox so I am not even sure which browser version Microsoft included as the only time I use it is with Windows Update.
   
   If you just can't wait to get Win 7 included as a part of your next PC then rest assured that this time around Microsoft learned most of what it needed to from the problems Vista had and released a faster, more stable, and more future oriented OS. I wanted it early to be ready for the upgrade at work and had it pre-ordered a year ago to get a decent price. If not for those two reasons I would probably have stuck with XP another year or so until my next PC purchase.
   
   Win 7 is not perfect but it is good enough to ensure Apple and Linux will only nibble at Microsoft's market share for the next few years.
   
   
   
   User: A. Saunders
   Rating:
   Summary: Best Microsoft OS so far
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

4. Review Date: 2009-11-17

   Hardly if at all an improvement on Vista, November 16, 2009
   By Daniel J. Knight "Hate evil, love good, maint... (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
   
   1) Can't make the taskbar show behind windows
   
   2) Quicklaunch wasn't an option, but found a trick from a non-microsoft website to make it appear, and it looks ugly as there is no dividing line
   
   3) The taskbar is an ugly glassy powder blue, gives me a headache
   
   4) MSPaint has been mangled. Instead of simply putting zoom out on one toolbar, instead, some idiot put a zoom in and out toolbar or tab whatever separate from the main toolbar, and the main toolbar only has zoom in, so then you have to switch back and forth between tabs, what a moron designer. On top of that the color picker is off-center, so that when you pick a color it's picking the one above the pixel you have it over, really annoying if you don't have the time or aren't in the mood to learn to use something like adobe photoshop. But hopefully I can get the vista version of mspaint online (ahem: thank God for btjunkie and pbay).
   
   5) If you use Windows 7 on a net book prepare to be extremely annoyed since the built in dialog boxes and menus (ones that have a lot of options) don't resize to fit the screen, so that you either have to set the taskbar to auto popup mode or move it to the left or right, if you don't you can't click the bottom buttons like yes, no, ok, enter, skip etc. The same is true for firefox dialog boxes beyond the basic "yes" or "no" type.
   
   6) The network manager is WORSE then in Vista and XP, unlike those two the network manager is stuck in the right corner of the screen, and you can't switch on the fly when you're in the process of trying to connect, instead you're forced to wait till it's done or press cancel, and it's sluggish, at least on my netbook.
   
   PROS:
   
   1) Very fast SDHC scanning speed in comparison to vista and xp; big headache relief.
   
   2) Seems to be much more stable than xp and vista, seems that way. I haven't experienced any crashes yet.
   
   3) Seems to be more resistant to browser-hijacking trojans. I got the same one on vista as I did on windows 7, but it seems the trojans are more aggressive on firefox in vista then in windows 7, and the software from msoft was able to find a few and delete them, that might be why they aren't messing up firefox as bad on Windows 7.
   
   Conclusion:
   
   I get the impression that there are programmers at microsoft that deliberately do stupid things thinking that they will be asked to stay on the job longer by getting their managers to keep them in order to make improvements in the next version of Windows. Ff that's the case, and they are not fired, then they and their managers sbould be kicked in the balls extremely hard, in fact all of microsoft should be kicked in the balls extremely hard for incompetence and tried for treason against humanity, for being complicit in trying to drive world insane.
   
   I can't even say this is an improvement on Windows XP or Vista since XP and Vista scale the dialog boxes correctly on netbooks, why is Windows 7 dumber? But then again on XP certain dialog boxes didn't show in the taskbar and you had to minimize and maximize folders to make them show, but that's not as annoying as having to move the task bar to the side to be able to click the buttons on dialog boxes. If you take a lot of photos using SDHC cards and don't mind keeping the taskbar to the side or on autohide when using a netbook, then I'd say get Windows 7. Hopefully, WindowBlinds can get rid of the ugly taskbar coloration. The end.
   
   User: Daniel J. Knight
   Rating:
   Summary: Hardly if at all an improvement on Vista
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

5. Review Date: 2009-11-10

   Well, I bought Windows 7 with the expectation that it would be considerably better than either Vista or XP. Overall, I have been completely satisfied. It took me only about a ½ hour to install (I had XP). My boot and shut down times are down from 3 minutes to 1. And it looks absolutely beautiful. Some things have taken a little getting used to, such as the libraries, but once I worked with it a bit, more...I like it a whole heck of a lot better. I think Microsoft got it right with Windows 7.After having problem after problem with previous OS's...7 seems to just...work.
   
   User: P. R. Sward
   Rating:
   Summary: AWESOME
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

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Editorial Reviews

With Windows 7 Professional, fewer walls stand between you and your success. You can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network. You can also connect to company networks effortlessly and more securely with Domain Join. With all the exciting entertainment features of Windows Home Premium, it's a great choice for home and for business. Need to use multiple languages on your PC or help protect your data with enhanced BitLocker security? Get Windows 7 Ultimate.

More work, more play, and more of everything in between. Click to enlarge.

Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows. Click to enlarge.

With Snap you can arrange two windows side-by-side just by dragging them to opposite sides of your screen. Click to enlarge.

Open files you use regularly in just two clicks with Jump Lists on the improved taskbar.

Everything you need for work and home

Easiest Windows to use ever

• Simplify your PC with new navigation features like Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap.
• Customize Windows to look and feel the way you like by changing themes and taskbar programs.
• Easy to network (with or without a server).
• Back up your complete system over a network.

Faster and more flexible

• Windows XP Mode gives you the business flexibility you need.
• Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker.
• Takes full advantage of 64-bit PC hardware and memory.

Best PC entertainment experience

• Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with Windows Media Center.
• Blu-ray read/write support for data files.
• Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.

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Simplifies Everyday Tasks

Simple to use

Preview
Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows.

Pin
Open files and get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar. You can easily pin programs you use often to the taskbar and launch them in just one click.

Windows 7 lets you peek behind open windows to get a quick look at your desktop. Click to enlarge.

Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC right from the Start menu with Windows Search. Click to enlarge.

Turn your PC into a TV with Windows Media Center, and enjoy your favorite videos and music with Windows Media Player. Click to enlarge.

Jump Lists
Open files you use regularly in just two clicks with Jump Lists on the improved taskbar.

Snap
Windows 7 has simple new ways to manage open windows. For example, with Snap you can arrange two windows side-by-side just by dragging them to opposite sides of your screen.

Peek and Shake
Windows 7 lets you peek behind open windows to get a quick look at your desktop.

Windows Search
Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC, from documents to emails to songs, right from the Start menu, with Windows Search.

Easy to connect

Setting up wireless connections is easier with consistent, one-click connections to available networks. Click to enlarge.

Enjoy the photos, music, and videos on your home PC when you're away from home with remote media streaming. Click to enlarge.

Manage Backup and Restore and other features through Action Center. Click to enlarge.

Search, organize, and edit files across a network in the same way you would a single folder.Click to enlarge.

Wireless setup
With Windows 7, setting up wireless connections is easier with consistent, one-click connections to available networks, whether those networks are based on Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, dial-up, or corporate VPN.

HomeGroup
Connect Windows 7 PCs on a home network in just four clicks and easily get to the photos, music, and files on each one--even share printers--with HomeGroup.

Easy to browse the web

Internet Explorer 8
Visual search helps you quickly find the information you want by adding visual cues and previews to search results from top search providers including Live Search, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Amazon, and others.

Internet Explorer 8
Use Web slices to conveniently keep up with changes on frequently updated websites, like eBay auctions or traffic sites, directly from the IE8 toolbar.

Easy to communicate and share

Windows Live Photo Gallery
Windows Live Photo Gallery makes share your photos to your favorite photo site easy.

Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Mail makes managing multiple email accounts easy.

Windows Live Family Safety
Keep your child safe by managing what sites they can visit and who they can send/receive emails and im communications from.

Note: Windows Live components need to be downloaded separately.

Works The Way You Want

Faster and More Reliable

Resume from sleep
We designed Windows 7 to help PCs sleep and resume from sleep more quickly by improving the way Windows 7 manages drivers, programs, and power.

Faster and more reliable
We reduced the amount of memory your PC needs for open windows and to execute commands to help it be more responsive to commands.

Fewer clicks and less interruptions

Makes New Things Possible

Media on your terms

Windows Media Center
Turn your PC into a TV with Windows Media Center.

Windows Media Center
Watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV.

DirectX 11
DirectX 11 technology delivers breathtaking game graphics so real, it's unreal.

New ways to engage

Windows Touch
Windows Touch makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use.

Media on your terms

Windows Media Player
More and more consumer electronics, from TVs to digital photo frames, can be connected to home networks. With Play To in Windows 7, you'll be able to easily send music, photos, videos from your PC to a networked device throughout your home.

You can enjoy the photos, music, and videos on your home PC when you're away from home with remote media streaming.

Work anywhere

Location Aware Printing
Windows 7 will automatically pick the right printer for you when you move from home to work networks.

Work anywhere with less effort.

• Get connected in three clicks wherever there's a wireless network connection.
• Keep documents on your PC and on network servers in sync automatically.
• Your PC will automatically use the printer you prefer for whatever network you're on.
• Simplify making presentations special settings that keep your PC from sleeping and turn off messages, notifications, and screen savers.
• Instantly locate virtually any file, email, or document on your PC just by typing a word or two.
• Get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar.
• Open programs you use regularly in one click and files you use regularly in just two.
• Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows.
• Manage multiple email accounts, including Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo! Mail Plus, all in one place with one simple program.
• Get to the files, photos, and music on any PC with Windows 7 in the house from any other.
• Print to any printer in the house from any PC with Windows 7 in the house.

Safeguard your hard work.

• Advanced Backup and Restore makes it easier to keep your work safely backed up to external or network drives and accessible if you need it.
• File encryption helps keep proprietary and confidential information on a PC secure if it is lost or stolen.
• Preserve your investment in programs designed for Windows XP with Windows XP Mode.
• Windows Internet Explorer 8 helps keep your PC safer from malware and you safer from fraudulent websites designed to fool you into divulging private information.
• Easily add your PC to a secured, managed, network with domain join capabilities.
• Group policy controls help administrators more easily and effectively manage the security and configuration of multiple PCs.

Choose the Windows 7 Edition That Is Best For You

Features	Windows 7 Home Premium	Windows 7 Professional	Windows 7 Ultimate
Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation.
Start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often.
Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8.
Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC.
Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup.
Run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode.
Connect to company networks easily and more securely with Domain Join.
In addition to full-system Backup and Restore found in all editions, you can back up to a home or business network.
Help protect data on your PC and portable storage devices against loss or theft with BitLocker.
Work in the language of your choice and switch between any of 35 languages.

Product Details

1. Windows 7 Professional (includes 32 & 64-bit versions) lets you run Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode, recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network, connect to company networks effortlessly and more securely
2. Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation; start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often
3. Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8
4. Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC
5. Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup