Ever since Windows 7 was officially released back in October of 2010, the question on everyone’s mind has been: Will it be significantly better than its predecessors, Windows XP and Vista? The answer is a resounding yes! Here’s a brief rundown of the top 7 reasons.
- 1. Automatic Desktop Wallpaper Shuffling: Not everyone is a fan of desktops wallpapers that shuffle, but even some of the critics have been won over by this slick, built-in feature of Windows 7. There are tons of themes to choose from, thus offering something to suit virtually everyone‘s taste. Don’t like the current image? Not to worry. Just right-click on the desktop, and it quickly shifts to the next image.
- 2. Blu-Ray Support: As you probably realize by now, Blu-Ray won the hi-def DVD war. Although it will no doubt take many years for this format to become mainstream in all households, it is fully supported now in Windows 7. The operating system includes native functionality to read and write Blu-Ray discs.
- 3. Media Streaming : Not only does Windows 7 include many new codecs to support more file types, but it also allows you to stream media files from within Windows Media Player. You can stream files both from your network and from the Internet.
- 4. Multiple Instances of the Same Program: Have you ever wished you could easily open two, three, or even four instances of the same program? For instance, maybe you want to check your e-mail in one Internet Explorer window, manage your stock portfolio in a second window, and take over the Second Life world in a third. Well, Windows 7 lets you do just that. Simply hold down the SHIFT key while left-clicking on the first instance of the program in the Windows taskbar, and presto! A second instance is opened.
- 5. Windows XP Mode : Although most applications run just fine on Windows 7, there are a few that aren’t compatible yet. Microsoft seems to have anticipated this delay, so they’ve included a handy little feature called Windows XP mode. This feature allows you to run a fully functional version of XP from within Windows 7. It operates by means of a tool called Virtual PC.
- 6. DirectAccess: Experts are saying that DirectAccess may be one of the more compelling reasons that businesses will consider upgrading to Windows 7. This feature gives you a bi-directional link among your internal network and traveling machines, such as laptops, as long as they are connected to the Internet. Such direct connection allows users to access the network remotely, and gives IT personnel the ability to manage the remote machine as if it were running on the internal network. DirectAccess may thus provide a free alternative to expensive and complicated VPN systems. To make use of this feature, your network must be running Windows Server 2008 R2.
- 7. Faster Boot Time: While this point may not seem as glamorous as some of the other features, the fact is that Windows 7 may boot a stunning 20% faster than Vista! In one published test, the Windows 7 login prompt appeared 27 seconds after booting up, as compared to the 34 seconds it took Vista to load the same screen. While that difference may seem relatively negligible, in today’s fast-paced business world, decisions are made and customers are won or lost in a matter of seconds. Besides, an operating system that boots quickly shows that it is well-designed and cleanly written.
Would you like to learn more about these and other features of Windows 7? Check out the official site. Perhaps after a closer look you’ll decide that an upgrade is worth your while.