Used Vista for 30 days. Back on XP


Recommended Posts

Well, I used Vista Business for 30 days as my main OS and decided to revert back to trusty XP Pro. Its not that Vista was a bad OS, just that making a complete switch made no sense too me at this point. What I miss about Vista are:

* Eye candy

* Enhanced WMP11 and IE7

* Sidebar (Yes, I found it useful)

* Enhanced search functions

* UAC

* Tab previews in taskbar

* built-in Windows Update

* Speedy install

* Not having 71 updates to install after initial installation.

* Basic partitioning functions included in the Management Console.

Dislikes:

* System wasn't nearly as responsive as it is with XP. All my favorite emulators run smoother in XP. LOL deal breaker, I know :)

* Folder Views not sticking

* Makes view assumptions based on directory contents. Place a pic or music file in a dir and all of the sudden, you can't sort by type anymore, etc.

* Backup function is a joke. No where near customizable enough. Will not backup executables. What good is a backup utility if it won't backup what I want backed up?

* Defragger does its job, but it would be great if it provided some info as to % complete, and allow me to pick drives, etc.

* Win98 cannot browse shared Vista dirs. Some of my cheap friends still use 98 and its nice to browse my drive for resources when I'm working on them in my house. Causes freezes everytime I attempt to browse. In XP this isn't an issue.

* Driver support sucks ass ATM (Not MS's fault)

* Some apps like Nero 6 won't work in Vista. (Not MS's fault)

* Can't decide if I like the new Start Menu or not.

* Placement and renaming of features was unnecessary and confusing.

* I hate the new event log viewer in the management console.

* Overdone/redundant confirmation prompts.

* Not a big fan of cleartype

Nothing listed would stop me from running Vista, but also nothing to make me want to activate it and thus commit to it, either. My plans are to hold onto Vista until my next system build, which will be better suited to run Vista. I've had alot of friends at work ask me about Vista and if its work upgrading and I basically tell them if they're satisfied with XP, they should just wait until its time for a new PC. Maybe thats bad advice, but there really isn't anything in Vista that warrants an upgrade for average Joe and the additional expenses involved with it.

Using Vista for a month has given me a fresh appreciation for XP. Ballmer was right when he said its Vista's biggest competitor.

Edited by denzilla
Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/545119-used-vista-for-30-days-back-on-xp/
Share on other sites

I think I felt the same as you after 30 days and switched back over to XP, however I came crawling back to Vista in the end. I got so used to the eye candy in Vista and ways of doings things that using XP just felt weird and sluggish. Of course, Vista has its quirks (such as the damn firewall not turning off when I tell it to and having to disable it completely in the services manger) but I think most of the small issues will be ironed out in the end.

I installed vista on a separated HD so I can switch from Vista to XP but I feel the same way. Most of your point are what I like and dislike about Vista but I really hate the confirmation prompts :no: Is there a way to turn that off?

I happen to fully agree with you too, there is no compelling reason to jump to Vista now, or until SP1 is released I think.

I had too many issues with it personally to bother swtiching, however I do 'play' with it on my mac.....

I'm happy to sit for a while, at least I own it and can switch to it when i'm ready :)

I have also gone back to XP. Vista is still there in a dual-boot config-type-doohickey but until nVidia sort out the really really crap display drivers I'm sticking with XP. Some of the annoying features of Vista get less annoying with time and I must say I was getting used to it. If, or more likely when they sort out the display picture I will stick with XP.

Basically the same picture on my HP LCD panel is complete pants in Vista and fantastic in XP. In vista there is too much bloom around text and everything looks blurred. I have tweaked and tweaked, both clear type and the nVidia settings and no matter what happens the picture is crap.

I am going to miss the version backup of files and docs in vista but the negs outweigh the pluses

Edited by tuckeratlarge

Geez, you people complaining about nVidia (hey, i'm one too)

Try feeling our pain for CREATIVE drivers - and no, I dont own an X-FI, so i'm out in the cold twice over (I'm referring to EAX here) :(

Those new drivers and SP1 can't get here fast enough IMO. They really should have waited a few months to bring out Vista :/

i agree with the OP for the most part.

bad driver support, slow response, app compatibility, and eye candy are the reasons for me to go back to xp. i love aero and all, but it became too busy and i dont like the resource hog considering that i work with programs like Photoshop and Maya.

but i miss vista automatically detecting my xbox360, something xp should add as an update to support. i swear to god it's so freaking painful to connect my xbox360 to my computer to play music.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • draw.io Desktop 30.2.4 by Razvan Serea draw.io desktop is a downloadable security-first diagramming application that runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux. Creating diagrams in the desktop app doesn’t need an internet connection. This is useful when you are disconnected or when you must create diagrams in a highly secure environment, where data protection is of the utmost importance. When you use the draw.io desktop app, your diagrams will be stored on your local device. Because this is a stand-alone application, also designed to run offline, there are no interfaces to cloud storage platforms available. Of course, you can still store your diagrams in folders that are synchronised to your cloud storage if you wish. Easy-to-use diagram editor The draw.io apps work just like the office and drawing tools you are used to using. Drag and drop shapes from the shape libraries and drag to draw connectors between them. Drag connectors to add waypoints and set a precise shape and position, or let them reroute automatically. Double click and start typing to add a label to anything. Create tables and swimlane flows with a familiar tool. Style shapes and connectors with customisable palettes, sketch options, fonts and text formatting tools. Search for shapes, including in open-source icon libraries. Use our vast libraries of shapes and templates, organised into logical categories, to create a range of diagrams and infographics. Generate diagrams from text descriptions using our smart templates. Diagram faster with keyboard shortcuts. draw.io Desktop 30.2.4 changelog: Uses electron 42.4.1 Updates to draw.io core 30.2.4. Download: draw.io 64-bit | Standalone ~100.0 MB (Open Source) Download: draw.io 32-bit | ARM64 | ARM64 Standalone Links: draw.io Home Page | Project page @GitHub | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Microsoft will soon allow some users to block Copilot from analyzing their Office files by Usama Jawad Microsoft Purview is a pretty useful data governance, security, and management service that allows customers to gain enhanced visibility and control over their content. It's meant for commercial customers, such as organizations that are storing data at scale. As AI continues to expand and infiltrate every corner of a firm, many are a bit conscious about the technology gaining access to their confidential data. Microsoft is now making a configuration change that will allow such customers to rest easy. Right now, users within an organization have the option to apply Purview sensitivity labels (when available) to secure certain files and label them as such. For example, if you apply the "Confidential" label on an Excel file, the file will be encrypted, and a "confidential" watermark will be applied to it. So, if this file is shared with anyone, they are aware that its access is supposed to be restricted. Up until now, Microsoft was allowing some connected experiences, like its AI services, to analyze files, regardless of their sensitivity label. This is of major concern to most organizations, as a recent example highlighted how confidential emails with data loss prevention (DLP) policies like privacy labels were being uploaded to Copilot for analysis. As such, Microsoft is updating an existing Purview data label sensitivity setting that prevents "some connected experiences that analyze content", from being blocked completely from doing this. The label isn't changing, but the blocking is now being enforced across all connected services (including Copilot and other AI tools), and now extends to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Files with the label applied already will get this enhancement automatically too once it becomes available. Microsoft has urged IT admins to inform their respective helpdesk and compliance teams, update internal documentation, and review sensitivity labels to ensure that they meet their respective compliance needs. This change is tagged as MC1297982 in the Message Center. General availability is scheduled to begin in a phased manner soon and will complete by the end of next month. That said, it is important to note that this only applies to commercial customers who have a license that allows them to use Purview.
    • llamas are unruly going haywire in New Guinea.
    • The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing —was $28 now free by Steven Parker Claim your complimentary copy (worth $35) of "The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing to Understand and Win Customers" for free, before the offer ends on June 24. Description The Persuasion Engine, by neuromarketing and behavioral science expert Roger Dooley, solves the most pressing challenge faced by every marketer: how to figure out why customers make the decisions they do when 95% of their thought processes occur at an unconscious level. Dooley explains how artificial intelligence democratizes sophisticated neuromarketing tools that were once available only to Fortune 500 companies, making powerful customer insight and persuasion techniques accessible to businesses of any size. The book walks you through the evolution of traditional neuromarketing into ”Neuromarketing 2.0,” where AI-powered tools eliminate the need for expensive lab studies and human behavioral science experts. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for implementing eye tracking, facial coding, biometrics, implicit testing, and advanced AI behavioral techniques that dramatically improve marketing effectiveness while reducing costs and time investment. Inside the book, you’ll find: Revolutionary AI prompting strategies that bring world-class behavioral science expertise to your desktop Practical frameworks for leveraging attention, emotion, credibility, and decision architecture to boost conversions Step-by-step guidance for implementing biometric tools and implicit testing without laboratory resources Advanced techniques for creating scarcity, urgency, and FOMO that drive immediate customer action Comprehensive methods for auditing and enhancing empathy in customer communications Perfect for marketing professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone with a stake in customer acquisition and retention, The Persuasion Engine provides actionable strategies that will transform your approach to marketing. Whether you're working on a shoestring or managing enterprise campaigns, you'll discover how to use your customers' non-conscious motivations and create compelling marketing that work on real people in the real world. How to download for free Please ensure you read the terms and conditions to claim this offer. Complete and verifiable information is required in order to receive this free offer. If you have previously made use of these offers, you will not need to re-register. Was $28, but is now FREE | Below free offer link expires on June 24. The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing to Understand and Win Customers The below offers are also available for free in exchange for your (work) email: The Vibe Coding Playbook: Building Your Tech Business with AI ($35 Value) FREE - Expires 6/23 The Persuasion Engine: How Any Business Can Use AI-Powered Neuromarketing to Understand and Win Customers ($28 Value) FREE - Expires 6/24 How to Do More with Less: Future-Proofing Yourself in an AI-driven Economy ($28 Value) FREE - Expires 6/30 Cloud Security Fundamentals: Building the Foundations for Secure Cloud Platforms ($131.95 Value) FREE - Expires 7/1 The Complete Free AI Learning: Master ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & More ($21 Value) FREE How to Build an AI Design Workflow with Gamma ($21 Value) FREE The Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide – Featured Free content Python Notes for Professionals – Featured Free content Learn Linux in 5 Days – Featured Free content Quick Reference Guide for Cybersecurity – Featured Free content We post these because we earn commission on each lead so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. Other ways to support Neowin The above deal not doing it for you, but still want to help? Check out the links below. Check out our partner software in the Neowin Store Buy a T-shirt at Neowin's Threadsquad Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: An account at Neowin Deals is required to participate in any deals powered by our affiliate, StackCommerce. For a full description of StackCommerce's privacy guidelines, go here. Neowin benefits from shared revenue of each sale made through the branded deals site.
    • All versions is correct. The bug appears on any version of Windows with KB5094126 installed. It's a little insane to expect the author to explain that systems that can't possibly have that patch installed, will not experience the bug. If you have any gripe about the title, it would be that it doesn't mention the update at all, but I wouldn't agree with that either. A title is not expected to be a full summery of the article.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • First Post
      BizSAR earned a badge
      First Post
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      589
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      190
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      76
    4. 4
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      75
    5. 5
      neufuse
      72
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!