With Windows 10 seemingly constant ‘blue screen of death’ (BSOD) errors and privacy concerns, many would prefer to stick with Windows 7 for as long as possible. And for good reasons.
Even with a promise to address privacy issues, Windows 10 is less appealing to many. Windows 7, on the other hand, remains to be the most stable and reliable among the last three or four Windows OS.
It also comes with features that are sorely lacking in the latest OS. Apart from privacy controls, it also allows for control of how updates are delivered.
Unfortunately, your time with Windows 7 will come to an end. And that’s a fact. When this happens, you would have to update or risk using an operating system that doesn’t have support from Microsoft.
Fast facts
- Sales of Windows 7’s latest available version completely stopped last October 2016.
- Countdown to the end of the OS’s support lifecycle has started.
- End of mainstream support for Windows 7 without service packs was last 9 April 2013.
- End of mainstream support for Windows 7 with Service Packs was last 13 January 2015.
- Extended support will end on 14 January 2020.
What happens when extended support ends?
Although you still have plenty of time before you are forced to migrate to another Windows OS, it is important that you have a backup plan. Failure to do so can mean losing access to software and applications that matter to your life, work, or business. This also means being vulnerable to viruses, malware, and other online threats.
Even when extended support for Windows 7 comes to an end in 2020, some providers of third-party security software may continue to provide their own updates. This should extend your protection against security flaws common in older operating systems.
The real problem comes when programs you run will no longer work. You should remember that designers and developers will continue to update the software and application to keep up with the changes in operating systems. Even with backward compatibility, problems may still arise.
It is also possible that your computer’s performance will be affected. This is especially because web technologies will evolve, resulting in a slow, unreliable Windows 7 computer.
In light of this, you should consider your options. Perhaps Windows 10 isn’t so bad. Time to find out.
Windows 7 vs Windows 10
Performance
On top of new and improved features, the latest Windows OS also offers base-level improvements, which has a major impact on a performance level. Boot up is quicker, hardware acceleration is better, the battery life of a mobile device is improved, and gaming experience is evenly matched, what with exclusive access to DirectX 12.
Winner: Windows 10
Design
Windows 10 is flat, modern and bold. Windows 7 is cohesive and easy to navigate. It’s up to you to decide which user experience suits your computer usage.
Winner: Personal preference
Search and Start Menu
The search function is readily accessible on the Windows 7 Start Menu, making it quick to scan and is compact. Search is separate from the Start Menu on Windows 10. Based on convenience, it could be any OS’s score. But Windows 10’s Search box shows preview information and includes Microsoft’s digital personal assistant Cortana.
The Start Menu, on the other hand, includes Windows 8’s Live Tiles, but excludes a link to the Control Panel. This forces you to use the PC Settings interface if you want your life to be easier.
Winner: Windows 7
File explorer
File search and file management in Windows 7 are simple and decent, but lack the ease of use, what with the Up button removed. The Up button made a comeback in Windows 10 and file management was also improved significantly. The top menu is arranged in such a way that all common tools are quickly accessible. It also comes with a new Share ribbon, better file copying interface, and pause button when transferring files.
Winner: Windows 10
Notifications
Windows 7’s notifications appear in the System Tray, but it’s not exactly space where messages, along with the history of updates, are unified and presented to you in a streamlined manner. Windows 10, on the other hand, delivers notifications similar to mobile devices. App notifications and system messages are set in one place and arranged in chronological order.
Winner: Windows 10
If not for the many BSOD and concerns on privacy and update controls, Windows 10 could have been a better choice. But there’s still hope, what with its ongoing improvements.
What to Expect from Windows 10 in 2017
- Connectivity with smart home products.
- More VR capability.
- Gaming upgrade from HoloLens.
- Addition of the Paint 3D app, compatible with the Surface pen.
Should you continue to stick with Windows 7? The choice is really up to you. For as long as all your programs still run with the old OS, you can hold off migrating to Windows 10.