Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 for new build

[sinetheo]

Why should I change?

I have an un opened copy of 8.1 that I can't return once opened so I need to make a decision? Like XP users I feel no reason to leave what works. Not to sound old yet I feel strange putting a 5 year old OS on an i7 with raid 0 ssd.

What does 8.1 give me that 7 doesn't? I know I hate the GUI and need aero and a start menu replacement but is there anything else? What are charms? Can I run metro apps in a tile? Can I search by category on the desktop?

Or should I just stick with stable well tested 7?

[pack34]

What part of 8.1 is not stable? Why stick with an outdated operating system? What advantage do you hope to gain by sticking with 7?

[BooBerry]

personally if you can adjust to strart screen then win 8.1

 

but if you have a purchased win 7 copy or own it then you can skip switching to 8.1

[PGHammer]

It is highly LIKELY that the user in question is simply biased toward the Start menu - after all, said Start menu has been around all that time.

 

Some folks, despite protestations otherwise, are plain and simply change-averse.

[sikhwarrior]

Advantage of windows 8.1 over 7; better trim support on SSD, windows 8.1 actually detects its a SSD and turns off features that could cause unnecessary writes.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

if you already have a copy of Windows 8 then no reason to trade it back in for something older. especially if you already know you can still modify it to your liking

 

Glass8 to restore glass and any start menu replacement app of your choice (Start8, Classic Shell, & StartIsBack being the most popular)

[1for-matik]

Since Start Menu will come back in Windows 8.1 Update 2 this summer... Go for Windows 8.1 and wait...

[bankajac]

I love the 8.1 start screen! Some do and some don't. I never understood the  complaints. In windows 7 you would click on start and then either your program if it was pinned or all programs and click through the groupings.  In windows 8 you do the same with less clicks!

 

Go with the latest and if you feel you need to have the windows 7 look there are tools to get that close.

[Guest]

Go with XP, it works perfectly.

[sinetheo]

Advantage of windows 8.1 over 7; better trim support on SSD, windows 8.1 actually detects its a SSD and turns off features that could cause unnecessary writes.

Ssds are detected fine under 7 as such. I was under the impression you need the Intel driver for trim in an ssd raid whether 7 or 8?

[Seahorsepip Veteran]

Ssds are detected fine under 7 as such. I was under the impression you need the Intel driver for trim in an ssd raid whether 7 or 8?

Windows 7 still defrags ssd's thinking it's a hdd compared to win8 which will trim the ssd instead of defrag if I remember correctly.

[xendrome]

8.1

[RandPC]

Windows 7 still defrags ssd's thinking it's a hdd compared to win8 which will trim the ssd instead of defrag if I remember correctly.

 

Nah, that was Vista. Win 7 will properly recognize a SSD, disabled defragmentation on it. Enable trim, and a few other smaller changes to file system indexing. No real difference in how Win7 vs 8 handles SSD.

 

As for Win7 vs 8, like Metro, plan to use Touch input frequently? Dislike Aero Glass?

Use Windows 8

Dislike Metro?  Like Aero Glass?  Touch isn't a concern?  Use Windows 7.

Other differences are marginal, and won't make a huge difference. Newer version of DirectX but that's meaningful. Shadow Volume Copy/Previous versions is restricted to only desktop/libraries rather then entire HDD as in Win7. Win8 uses hybrid boot for quicker start times, but that comes with some draw backs so it's a bit of a trade off, and easily disabled if it doesn't suit you. You lose desktop gadgets in Win8, but gain Metro apps. etc.

For most people it's essentially going to come down to whether you like the UI changes.

I prefer 7, other people like 8. Just preference, largely determined by whether your using touch and how you like the UI changes. There are a million heated arguments on this and every other forum over Win8. I suggest avoiding it all and picking whichever one has the UI you prefer.

[sinetheo]

will glass 8 work with update 1?

if you already have a copy of Windows 8 then no reason to trade it back in for something older. especially if you already know you can still modify it to your liking

 

Glass8 to restore glass and any start menu replacement app of your choice (Start8, Classic Shell, & StartIsBack being the most popular)

[webdev511]

8.1 for the frequently mentioned SSD functionality and if you have a copy of 8.1 Pro there's Hyper-V for VM's and BitLocker for internal and removable drive encryption.

[xankazo]

Do yourself a favor and go Windows 8.1. There's a bit of negativity but must of it comes from biased bloggers and people who haven't even given it a fair try. Windows 8.1 is a great OS, once you get used to its changes, and that isn't hard at all. If my underage kids could do it in less than 10 minutes (coming from a Windows 7 system), then I believe that anyone can do it.

[Seahorsepip Veteran]

will glass 8 work with update 1?

yes, http://www.glass8.eu/ supports both 8.0 and 8.1(update 1 included)

[Brandon H Supervisor]

will glass 8 work with update 1?

 

yes. BigMuscle is good about keeping it working if an update breaks it (which is very rare)

 

edit: just beaten by Seahorsepip lol :)

[macoman]

Go with XP, it works perfectly.

LMAO... Sarcastic comment :D

On the topic: Go for 8.1, you can install start8 and make the classic windows 7 start menu in 8.1

[sinetheo]

Sticking with 8.1. After a week I downloaded start8 but uninstalled it. I adopted after I put same background BUT GLASS 8 is a MUST.

Office 2013 I can NOT USE. IT'S soo blinding white and full screen. Guess I have to pay twice because greedy MS won't offer 2010 in 365 so they can force changes

[pack34]

Sticking with 8.1. After a week I downloaded start8 but uninstalled it. I adopted after I put same background BUT GLASS 8 is a MUST.

Office 2013 I can NOT USE. IT'S soo blinding white and full screen. Guess I have to pay twice because greedy MS won't offer 2010 in 365 so they can force changes

 

File > Options > General

 

From there you can change the Office Theme to darker colors that are easier on the eyes

[sinetheo]

Still no contrast, too light and with borders gone distracts rather than enhances focus on content. Why are colors sooo wrong? I want my skuemorphism back

[+Warwagon MVC]

What part of 8.1 is not stable? Why stick with an outdated operating system? What advantage do you hope to gain by sticking with 7?

 

Windows 7 is not an out dated OS.

[pack34]

Windows 7 is not an out dated OS.

 

There is a newer version out. Hence the older version is outdated

[+Warwagon MVC]

There is a newer version out. Hence the older version is outdated

 

The way you said it made it sound like a negative.