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Best Windows Version

Although Windows operating systems always have dominated the PC market, they have earned a reputation for breaking hearts and crashing systems all around the world. Always more hype than high performance. When Windows 7 officially comes to market on October 22, 2009, Microsoft officials promise it will mark a new epoch in Windows history. Pre-release press indicates, this time, the performance may warrant the bunting, balloons, and marching bands.

Windows XP Delivers over the Long Haul

Windows 95 marked a genuine advance in Microsoft’s operating system technology. Windows 95 made the system considerably more user friendly than it ever had been before, and it dramatically improved Windows internet capability and capacity. Although the system was still vulnerable to viruses and Trojan horses, it nevertheless stood out as the most secure operating system Microsoft ever had developed. Not exactly “reasonably priced,” Windows 95 nevertheless was affordable, and it quickly dominated the market.

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Windows XP originally was intended as a sleeker, slicker, faster version of Windows 95. After a series of development delays and some serious difficulties in beta-trials, Windows XP emerged as the replacement for rather than the next evolution of Windows 95. Windows XP markedly improved program compatibility and system security. XP developers aggressively addressed Windows security issues of all kinds, adding extra virus protection, internet pop-up blocking, and a rudimentary firewall. They also added USB 2.0 support and significantly improved FireWire support.

Since its official launch on October 25, 2001, Windows XP has earned users’ praise for its durability, reliability, compatibility, and overall ease-of-use. Although loyal Windows XP fans readily admit the system remains far from perfect, it still stands-out as the best Windows operating system ever. When Windows Vista appeared, most XP users refused to switch.

Windows Vista Disappoints

Vista went to market late in 2006, and it became widely available early in 2007. Until October, 2009, Vista was the factory-installed operating system on all the major brand desktops and laptops. Throughout beta-testing and immediately after Vista’s big premier, experienced Windows users complained Vista gave them little more than XP with some pretty pictures. Although Vista enhanced Windows security, upgraded Internet Explorer, and made Media Player look and sound better, it came to market with so many bugs, glitches, and compatibility problems the few improvements hardly mattered.

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Windows Vista opened the door to Apple’s popular “I’m a PC, and I’m a Mac” commercials, which stress Vista’s clumsiness, vulnerability to viruses and worms, and remarkable propensity for freezing and crashing. Compatibility issues continue to plague Vista, and some issues fall into the “What Were They Thinking?” category: Microsoft Security Essentials, for example, slows Vista to a crawl and conflicts with the most popular editions of Microsoft word. Vista so radically clashes with McAfee security software many users report the conflict completely blocks their internet access.

Wise Windows NP users chose not to mess with success, saving themselves a great deal of headache and heartache as they refused Vista “upgrades.” Windows NP wizards waited for Microsoft to offer its genuine improvements as single downloads; then, they installed truly improved versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, getting all their Vista benefits without persistent Vista bugs, glitches, grinds, and goofs. In fact, NP remains the Windows workhorse, and NP users may want to exercise the same patience and restraint with Windows 7 they showed during the Vista hoopla. Unless Windows 7 proves itself not only slick but also durable, reliable, and compatible in everyday use, NP will remain the work-a-day mule that consistently outperforms the show pony.

Windows 7 Restores Hope

According to the experts, pundits, geeks, and teen-aged whiz kids, Windows 7 looks, feels, and performs the way a twenty-first century operating system should. Translation: It does what you want it to do when you want it to do it. You push the button and the machine responds. In tech talk, they call that “seamless.” Real-life users just say “it works.”

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Windows 7 brings a handy 12-pack of new features. On the desktop, you will see bigger icons, a much better task bar, pinning, and a few cute ways to make it your own—some may seem just a little too cute for serious professionals. A new “HomeGroup” simplifies household networking, so that Mom, Dad, and all the kids can share—especially good when everyone needs to print homework all at once. Long-time Windows users will appreciate dramatic improvements in Windows Search: Now, you actually can find files in your own computer without slogging through file branches thick as the rain forest. Windows Search now looks and drives a lot like any ordinary search engine. Other little improvements facilitate window-sizing and comparison, quicker USB detection, and much better power management.

Looking ahead to the next generation of personal computers, Microsoft engineers have simplified wireless networking. Although they do not have the net link down to just one click, a skilled user can get online in just two ore three mouse-clicks. A new Windows Media Center threatens to replace your cable box or satellite link, giving you the ability to control your live television viewing. And Windows 7 responds quickly, accurately to touch-screen commands. Windows 7 also will run netbooks, but the experts claim it runs a distant second behind Google Android, which engineers developed specifically for handhelds and netbooks.

Windows 7 shipped to manufacturers early in 2009, and it makes its official marketplace debut on October 22, 2009. Weary Windows devotees know Microsoft will throw a big party; they are waiting to see whether or not it really becomes a celebration.