Ranking of the 4 Modern Windows OSs


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Windows 7 - Fast, stable, secure, easy to use.

Windows 8 - Buggy apps, weak navigation, weak search and share tools, but overall still has overall features first seen in Vista/7 that make it better than XP.

Windows XP - Becoming increasingly outdated, I don't look forward to using an XP machine, but at least I know I can tailor it to my liking.

Windows Vista - There is no enjoying this OS. Half the crap still never worked because many of the machines I worked on COULDN'T GET THE DAMN SERVICE PACK due to an issue with the updater. Worst experience ever, horrid load times, etc.

My rankings

7 -> Best by a long shot, improved upon Vista has an awesome UI Glass, Rounding, Shadowing, there is no changes I would make the the OS and UI At all

XP -> While it had bugs and issues it was still a solid OS and an awesome step up from ME which I ran prior to it. I still run XP at work today, albeit some bugs it works fine

Vista -> I prefered the longhorn alphas, but the end result with start search, dark interface. Only issues I ever had were resource related.

8 -> I feel they took stuff out of 7 to make 8. The interface returns back to a blocky, solid color that I think feels old. The lack of standard features present in all windows dating back to 95, no the start screen is NOT a start menu. It's a tablet UI on a Desktop...(or so they say) OS.

If 8 has full Aero w/ glass or a theme that enabled it fully and paired with startisback I would consider using it, but there are just too many things with it that I don't like and with 7 being as great as it is, there is no need to "workaround" stuff if I don't have to.

4. XP: a security nightmare on release and takes a good few years(SP2) to stabilize (I have seen too many "infected" F&F PCs around me). All new features shadowed by security problems.

3. Vista: Drastically improves on security over XP, takes SP1 to solve major problems. SP2 makes it almost as good as 7.

2. 7: Not major performance improvements over Vista SP2 but good new features and UI enhancements. Dramatically improves usability by adding new system wide keyboard shortcuts.

1. 8: Drastic performance improvements, introduces few UI quirks that needs fixes (jury is still out as to when). Mostly missing fit and finish.

So there, in my opinion: XP was the worst of the lot and 8 is current leader in my books.

Compared to 7 and 8...sure...I can agree. I just find it funny that you think Windows XP, which is still largely used today.... completely trashed the Windows brand name. Maybe you meant Windows 8?

I'm sure he really meant Vista trashed the Windows brand name, as it surely did, just as Windows 8 is trying to do!!

XP and Windows 7 are the kings of how an OS should work. Why do you think XP has hung on as long as it has?

1st - Windows 8

1st.5 - Windows 7

3rd - Windows XP

4th - Windows Vista

I really like Windows 8, and honestly, it's faster than 7 in a number of areas. All MS has to do with a future update is allow users to boot-to-desktop AND bring back the Start menu when in desktop mode.

  • Like 1

XP - Came along when we all had so many issues with 9x. The changes meant some of our old software and hardware didn't work but it didn't matter because there were so many new technologies coming out at the same time.

7 - Good stable OS, didn't offer much that I needed over XP but it was a good performing upgrade.

Vista - It came along with nothing to offer and the rumour mills destroyed it.

8 - I have three copies and dont use any. The UI made me feel MS had no idea about anything its customers wanted and the push toward basic tablet style apps felt like MS was ready to turn its back on its users that wanted any detail in their OS - all to be popular.

7 - Great interface, easy to use, very compatible.

Vista - Same as 7 except for the compatibility part which it was what really diminished this great OS.

XP - Theming was good, programs were alright, had to have it upgraded always though...

8 - total abomination, only has the "compatible" part of 7 while disregarding everything else (exactly the opposite as vista, note that 7 is an upgrade, not the opposite to vista)

1. Windows 8- fast, best UI (i got used with metro and now i like it a lot, found some good apps that i use in the background) a lot of features, best security

2. Windows 7- fast, big improvement over vista, it just works.

3. Windows Vista- better UI for that time than XP, a lot of new features, but poorly optimized.

4. Windows XP- ugly UI, cartoonish, isn't really a modern OS, it still works for some but it's like an old car, it works, but you just want a new one.

1. Windows Blue

2. Windows 8

3. Windows 7

4. Windows Vista

5. Windows XP

Actualy, Blue I boot more to Blue for simple tasks and to Windows 8 when I want to work... :)

However, Blue is just a service pack. You might as well split the other OS's in line, as Windows Vista was quite bad performance wise pre-SP and Windows XP was a lot more stable with SP2+.

Personally I favor 7.

1: Windows 7. Windows 7 was what Vista should have been. Fast, and beautiful with great features.

2: Windows XP. Feels dated now on modern hardware but it has served the IT industry extremely well

3: Vista. Once the performance issues were fixed not as bad of an OS as people seemed to think

4: Windows 8. Great performance but unfortunately for me that doesn't negate the horrible UI, horrible visual theme and the start screen. A big step backwards IMO.

Here's an honest evaluation from a Windows 8 lover:

1: Windows 7 - Great OS, everything just works, a polished product.

2: Windows 8 - Brings Windows to 21st century hardware, fast, stable, and includes everything that makes Windows 7 great. But the UI it introduced needs polish, same with the new apps.

3: Windows XP - For many, it was their first OS, and to many others, their introduction to the stability of Windows NT. But the UI didn't really improved that much from previous versions of Windows, it was just prettier.

4: Vista - Many improvements over XP but very heavy on the hardware when it launched. Was only properly fixed after SP1, until then, XP was a much better alternative.

  • 6 years later...

1. Windows 7- It works and its fast

2. Windows 8 - UI was horrible (i used a start menu app) and it was fast

3. Windows Vista - It was ok

3. Windows XP- Works, but clunky 

 

But.. I miss windows 2000. :) 

 

Overall List

 

1. Windows 2000

2. Windows 10

3. Windows 7

47 minutes ago, Coater4 said:

1. Windows 10- Its the best!

2. Windows 7- The 2nd best!

3. Windows 8- The 3rd best!

4. Windows Vista- The Worst!

 

 

 

OS: Windows 10

Mobile:Android

The only older than XP i tried was 95.

 

Edited by Coater4
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