Difference Between Windows 7 And Windows Vista

Prior to Microsoft releasing Windows 7 beta to the public, it had already found its ways to inundation sites. I later found out most of what was on the torrent sites where junk and not worth downloading. Microsoft later released the beta to the public on the 12th of January. To create suspense among the public, Microsoft said the download will only be available to the first 2.5 million people. The quest for the new operating system was so great that thousands if not millions flocked to Microsoft website for the download causing their servers to crush. I wasn't left out; I was there for the download too but couldn't get my hands on it.
I finally got hold of it two days later. Installation was unproblematic and I was not scared of losing data since I installed it on a virtual machine. According to Microsoft, the minimum system requirements were 1GHz processor, 1GB of memory and 16GB of hard drive space. I, however, installed it on 512MB and 8GB hard drive and it worked seamlessly. My first impressions were this is exactly Vista with another name. Microsoft did a good job in reconstructing the Windows vista kernel so it doesn't use as much resources as Vista.
Until the advent of Vista, there was no need for computers running with extravagant amounts of memory. Windows 7 runs pretty well on my 512MB of memory and all my previous drivers from Windows XP installed without a glitch. Microsoft's intention for Windows 7 is for it to be an incremental upgrade with the goal of being fully compatible with existing device drivers, applications, and hardware. Windows 7 is doing exactly that and even more. Even though, the interface looks like Vista, Windows 7 proves to be way better. With new cool features such as Device Stage and Home Group, Windows 7 is definitely the future.
Windows 7 is a Vista clone in exterior but not in performance. You may have read other reviews but don't end your experience there. Go ahead and download Windows 7 and try it out for yourself. Hope you will not be disappointed.

Why Switch to Windows Vista

In addition to hype there are some solid reasons to upgrade and or switch over to Windows Vista. I can recount only some of them. Start from the appearance. Windows Vista help looks different; window, desktop, start button, start menu, taskbar, everything has a new look. Window in Windows Vista looks somewhat similar to that of in Mac OSX. Minimize, maximize and the close buttons seem new. The windows can be made to appear in lucent ,if the new Aero is applied. The start button has been modified to give a new look and the word "start" is gone. Instead new Windows vista logo appears in start button. Start menu and wallpapers are also new. The desktop contains a side bar, which shows a clock, and some of the widgets.
Windows Vista provides high level of security measures. Windows Vista that comes with Internet Explorer which provides a higher degree of security to the system, as well as, the operating system environment. It includes phasing filter to provide higher security while surfing the net. Protection against spamming is also provided. The other security measures include tools such as Windows defender, advanced firewall, Encryption/Decryption of data, support partitions, auto backup. The Windows Defender is a program which blocks suspicious programs which tries to do some illegal activity in the computer system. Also users can control kids by using parental controls in Windows Vista. Parents can now deny access to certain programs especially, the games. At the same time the Windows Media Player 11 enhances video, audio quality when playing sound, music, videos.
One of my favorite thing in Windows Vista is search results. Users can have a new and improved search experience in Vista; they can manage images more efficiently with inbuilt Photo Gallery and a lot more.

Windows Vista, Improved Features

Microsoft Corporation has tried to put "active" items on the Windows computer for nearly a decade. Finally, with Vista's Sidebar success seems within grasp. Stability problems that dogged previous versions aren't as readily apparent - which is to say, Sidebar doesn't crash nearly as often as, say, Active Desktop in Windows XP - and the items it offers actually help.

The items in the Sidebar, termed Gadgets, can interact with you, with Microsoft operating system, with files and folders, with your network, and with other Gadgets. Windows Vista comes with a handful of moderately interesting Gadgets .

Many other features - Put Microsoft Windows Vista head and shoulders above XP. The standout features include the following:

• Improved backup (although no backup exists in the Home Basic Edition).
• Photo management (via Photo Gallery, not in Home Basic).
• Second monitor support
• Easy wireless networking.
• Vista also helps you burn DVDs, but watch out for the digital rights

Windows Vista provides several accessories for Tablet PCs, including Input Panel, Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes, and Windows Journal. All of these accessories use Tablet PC pens, which improve accessibility by making it easier to work with computers. Additionally, people who might not be able to use a computer keyboard and mouse might be able to use a Tablet PC pen as an alternative input device.

Windows Vista includes many other features that improve accessibility, including the Filter Keys, Sticky Keys, and High Contrast functions and the Narrator, Magnifier, and On-Screen Keyboard utilities. In Microsoft Windows Vista, these features have all been enhanced, and most have completely redesigned interfaces. Windows Vista also includes speech recognition software. Using speech recognition, you can dictate documents and e-mail messages, and you can use your voice to control programs and browse the Web.