Windows 7 or 8?

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I’m going to get a new PC in the next few months, I’m currently on Windows 7 and wondering if I should take the plunge and go with Windows 8?
I like 7 and am comfortable with using it but possibly going to 8 will future proof me for a while. Any comments on pros and cons would be appreciated.

Thanks

Peter

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I mostly use Windows 7 but have Windows 8.1 and Vista on computers [no issues with Windows 8.1], but I also have Mac OS X 10.9 and Linux Mint 17 computers.

Most computers available now in the retail channels should have Windows 8.1 on them. As for ‘future-proof’ consider that Windows 9 [as presently called] may be out in less than a year [haven’t seen a consensus on just when yet] but it should run on hardware now available for Windows 8.

As with all newer versions of an Operating System there will be issues with third-party software and having drivers for older devices.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Just to add to Berton most excellent advice….MS has released the end of support date for windows 7 and it’s not looking good. End of support is 2015 then extended support to 2020. You should be fine if you do choose 7.

Seems like MS is forcing everyone to use Windows 8.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

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You should maybe go to a shop where you could try 8 for a while and see if you’re ok with it. 8 can be customized to behave pretty much like 7, but it still has its quirks. That said, I am running 8.1 and I wouldn’t go back to 7 now. I always feel like going back in time when I need to work with my 7 desktop.

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do not get 8
wait for 9

if you must do something asap then go for 7
or buy a refurb xp

i had to get a win8 laptop in an emergency when the main pc was down
and i hate that version of windoze

i want a pc not an overgrown tablet

I’m going to get a new PC in the next few months, I’m currently on Windows 7 and wondering if I should take the plunge and go with Windows 8?
I like 7 and am comfortable with using it but possibly going to 8 will future proof me for a while. Any comments on pros and cons would be appreciated.

Thanks

Peter

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If you go with 8 or 8.1, you can get one of the add-ons, such as StartIsBack or Classic Shell. It will make 8 or 8.1 look and feel just like 7.

At home I have 8.0 with StartIsBack. At work I have 7. In both cases I have Office 2007. My experience is about the same in both cases.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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If you go with 8 or 8.1, you can get one of the add-ons, such as StartIsBack or Classic Shell. It will make 8 or 8.1 look and feel just like 7.

At home I have 8.0 with StartIsBack. At work I have 7. In both cases I have Office 2007. My experience is about the same in both cases.

I second the Classic Shell recommendation. It is free, installs/uninstalls in less than 2 minutes and has worked like a charm (no pun intended) for the two novice seniors for whom I provide support. One word of caution. Win 8.1 does NOT provide the needed software to import from a Win 7 backup so pick up a good free backup from TechSupportAlert and do a backup with that. Or don’t burn any bridges with you Win 7 machine until you have a satisfactory transfer of your user files.

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I think it’s best you try out Win 8 somewhere before committing to it. Win 8 brings many brand new changes and you can never know for sure if you like it or not, unless you’ve had the chance of using it.

And if you want a Start menu and there’s no way you can get a copy of Win 7, then try out Classic Shell or Start8.

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