Windows 7

Brainchild of Bill Gates, Microsoft dominates the world of operating systems, with versions of Windows running on around 90% of all computers. Windows XP improved on previous versions of Windows on the NT platform such as Windows 1998 and 2000. After Windows XP, Microsoft introduced Windows Vista, which changed the user interface and added a number of new features. In addition to the new features, Vista also heralded new bugs such as some detriments to speed and performance. Microsoft listened to user’s comments and complaints about its previous operating systems and developed one of the fastest, most secure and most stable operating systems to date, called Windows 7. Standing on the shoulders of previous operating systems, Windows XP came first in the line of Microsoft’s modern operating systems.

Released in 2001, Windows XP quickly became the industry standard for operating systems. As time passed, Microsoft released updates to fix the bugs that inhabited the original versions of XP. Originally codenamed Longhorn, Microsoft developed Windows Vista. Subsequently following favorable reviews from a limited number of beta testers, the public opinion of Vista plummeted. Computer manufacturers installed Vista on computers greatly lacking the capability needed to run the new visual effects and features included in Vista. Beta testers typically use more powerful computers than the general public. Coupled with bugs expected in a new operating system, Microsoft’s reputation plunged. While Windows Vista did not fail completely as some critics think, Microsoft still needed a turnaround fast.

From the beginning of Blackcomb—more commonly known as Windows 7—reviews have contained chiefly positive elements. In late December of 2008, illegal copies of early beta versions started circulating on the internet via peer-to-peer file sharing methods, called torrents. When Microsoft attempted to release the beta to the public in early January, the throngs of people attempting to download it overwhelmed Microsoft’s servers, who delayed the official download from Microsoft servers over a month. Once succeeding in downloading the beta, users began to notice that Windows 7 beat Vista and even XP in many areas. Windows 7 improves on features found in Vista and XP, greatly improving the public reception of the operating system.

Following the rather disappointing reception of Vista, Microsoft knew it needed to boost its next operating system. Most obvious of all, Windows 7 uses a differently themed graphical user interface, or GUI. Some users accustomed to the snappiness of Windows XP may find that the smooth effects in Windows 7 give it the appearance of lagging, when in reality it performs much faster than Vista. Instead of using the “My Documents” and “My Pictures” style of file management found in XP, Windows 7 incorporates a system known as the “Library” system. Many users find this system much easier to navigate than Windows XP and Vista. Finding misplaced files often can morph into a time consuming rescue mission in Windows XP. Created in Windows Vista and retouched for Windows 7, the search tool incorporated in the search bar as well as many locations locates files leaps and bounds faster than in XP. Not only did Microsoft add obvious improvements to its new flagship operating system, but also made minor tweaks which in turn greatly influence everyday use for some users.

If not for the “under-the-hood” features that Microsoft included, Windows 7 would sit in the background while users employed Windows XP as their operating system of choice. As hardware and software manufacturers strive to develop high quality audio experiences, the popularity of USB devices, specifically headsets and microphones, continues to grow. When using a standard 3.5mm audio jack, all audio signals automatically redirect to that jack the moment the computer detects the device. In Windows XP and Vista, a USB audio device often requires reconfiguring of default audio devices in the control panel as well as usually restarting any program currently using audio. Windows 7 reverses this handicap completely by making the reconfiguration of audio devices nearly instantaneous, requiring no restarting of programs. After using Windows 7 since its initial release in beta stages, many users agree that it will replace Windows XP as the standard operating system due to its many innovative features and major improvements.

Operating at a much faster speed than Windows Vista, Windows 7 has received excellent reviews. Windows 7 experiences less crashes, freezes and blue-screens-of-death. Since people watch new software with adept vigilance, the first impression plays a large role in determining the success of the software as a whole. Microsoft learned this with the release of Windows Vista and presented users with an operating system garnering ample initial praise. Released on October 22^nd, Windows 7 incorporates fixes to bugs of previous operating systems as well as new features that will revolutionize the computing world.

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