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After nearly 13 years, Microsoft is bringing its support
for Windows XP to an end in April 2014, and that means a lot of people
have a big decision to make. Even if you’re still happy using XP, that support
won't be there if things go wrong – it’s one thing that’s been keeping XP safe
all this time. Without support there are no more security updates, meaning your
PC will be vulnerable to malware and viruses that use exploits which won't be
patched by Microsoft.
You could pull out the network cable or switch off Wi-Fi, but the sensible
option is to finally move on from XP. That can be a daunting prospect.
Should you buy a copy of Windows 8, reviewed and install it onto your existing
hardware? Would Windows 7 be less of a shock, and can you even still buy it? Or
maybe you should dive in headfirst and just buy a new PC? We’re here to help you
decide.
Windows 7 vs Windows 8: Buying a new PC
Buying a new PC today means moving to Windows 8, right? Not necessarily.
Although the big manufacturers such as Dell and HP have been pressed by
Microsoft to shift their stock to Windows 8, some companies are still making use
of the “downgrade rights” that allow them to offer you Windows 7 preinstalled.
Many systems on Lenovo’s website are customisable to ship with Windows 7
Professional, while Samsung and HP still offer business laptops preinstalled
with the same. You won’t find the option everywhere, but Windows 7 laptops are
still there if you look around – you just have to be a bit more open-minded
about which brand and model you’re happy to buy.
The situation is much more flexible when it comes to desktop PCs. As you might
expect, you can still go to independent retailers such as ourselves and buy
custom-built PCs running Windows 7 – at least while the stock last. Amazon also
lists plenty of Windows 7 systems, although mainly through marketplace sellers
so you’ll have to use your judgement.
As for buying Windows 7 itself, that’s a little trickier. Microsoft
understandably no longer sells it through its own website, so unless you have a
disc and activation key you’re not using from another PC, you’ll have to buy an
OEM disc - essentially Windows 7 without tech support - from one of the many
retailers offering them (like Mechling Computers). It’s easy to do, but you’ll
end up paying almost as much as you would for Windows 8. Just make sure you buy
the correct version for your PC – 32-bit or 64-bit – as each license is only
valid for one or the other.
Of course, there’s always eBay, and you’ll find no shortage of PCs, laptops and
installation discs knocking around. We wouldn’t trust second-hand Windows 7 keys
– at least not while you can still buy an official one that’s guaranteed to work
– but there’s no harm at all in perusing the hardware on offer to see what
bargains might be out there. Whether it’s worth paying for an older PC when you
already have one is something only you can decide.
Windows 7 vs Windows 8: The upgrade process
The upgrade from XP to Windows 7 will wipe all of your applications and personal
files, so make sure you follow the instructions for using the Windows Easy
Transfer tool to move your files onto an external hard drive if necessary. Once
you’re up and running in Windows 7, you simply double-click the “Windows Easy
Transfer – Items from old computer” file to effortlessly restore your data, or
so Microsoft says...we have not always found this to be true.
It might be time to buy new applications, although if any of your old programs
don’t work, Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate versions come with an XP Mode.
This is a fully functional version of XP that runs within Windows 7, making it
possible to run otherwise incompatible software. Download XP Mode. You’ll still
need your original XP installation media and activation code, however.
If you’d prefer to upgrade to Windows 8, that’s certainly the easier option. It
can be installed in place over the top of XP SP3 and, although you’ll lose your
applications, your personal files will be retained in the upgrade process. You
don’t even need to get your hands on an installation disc beforehand. Run the
Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant to see if your current system can be upgraded, and
if it can you’ll be given the option to pay for and download Windows 8 right
there and then.
Windows 7 vs Windows 8: The support issue
Of course, with support for Windows XP ending in April, that should act as a
reminder that all of these operating systems have a shelf life. It’s worth
bearing in mind that official consumer support for Windows 7 – which includes
warranty claims and free tech support – will end as soon as January 2015,
although Microsoft’s extended support – which includes the all-important stream
of free security updates, along with other business perks – will continue until
at least 2020. It’s probably not enough to sway your decision if you want to
stick with Windows 7, but it’s worth knowing.
Windows 7 vs Windows 8: which should you choose?
On the last paragraph we focused on the practicalities of upgrading, but what
about the differences in terms of how the two operating systems work? So much
has been written and said about Windows 8 that it’s easy to fall straight into
the mind-set that it’s something of a misstep by Microsoft.
Indeed, seeing and using its tiled interface for the first time can be a
bewildering experience, but that doesn’t mean you should automatically reject
its charms (no pun intended). The recent Windows 8.1 update has ironed out a few
of the more troublesome kinks, and there’s now a fair amount to like about this
very modern OS.
The way apps work has been refined, so you can now snap up to four of them
together, each taking up a quarter of the screen; this makes big monitors much
more usable with apps. The Store has been redesigned to make apps easier to
find, and the system-wide search is now very powerful, as it will now look
online and in your email as well as on your hard disks. It feels like a solid
refinement of what was an initially rough launch product.
We’re not going to suggest Windows 8 has the kind of app selection that would
make Apple nervous, but it is growing slowly but surely, and it currently tops
25,000. The bundled apps are mostly very good, especially the newly updated Mail
app, while Facebook, Netflix, Skype and more are available apps. There’s also a
small but decent choice of Xbox Live games, such as the well-known Asphalt 7 and
Rayman Jungle Run. On the right device – by which we mean one that’s relatively
portable and has a touchscreen – these apps can be great fun to play with, and
you’ll get them only on Windows 8.
Crucially, you don't have to use Windows 8's new interface: the old Windows
XP-style desktop is still there. If you’re upgrading, there’s no denying that an
interface built for touchscreens is a bit out of place on an ageing desktop PC.
Thankfully, it’s easy to get Windows 8.1 to stick to its less extravagant
desktop persona and make the transition from older versions less painful. If you
right-click on the desktop taskbar and choose Properties, then go to the
Navigation tab, you’ll see an option to have your PC boot straight to the
desktop without seeing the tiled Modern UI at all. The one major difference is
that the Start menu has been replaced by the new Start screen, but once you get
used to it, it's really not that bad.
If you're unimpressed, there are plenty of free utilities such as the excellent
Pokki that will bring back a 'proper' Start menu in Windows 8.See also: How to
install Pokki
This popular Start menu replacement will bring back all the features you’re used
to, as well as adding more: you can search your computer, set favorite
applications and go directly to sections of the Control Panel, although you’ll
probably want to disable the annoying suggested games and apps. It also lets you
shut down your PC as normal, although Windows 8.1 now includes shut-down options
when you right-click on the Start button.
Alternative start menu replacements include Start8 and Classic Shell, and they
all have the same core goal: to reinstate some of the fine control that
Microsoft has decided in its wisdom to remove.
Unless you change the default programs for playing videos, opening PDFs and
viewing web pages, you’ll still find yourself back in the Modern UI from time to
time, but with a few tweaks and programs you can live entirely in the 'old'
Windows world and treat Windows 8 just like Windows 7.
But if this is the case, does it even matter at all which version you choose?
Yes and no. If you’re buying a new PC and it has a touch screen, you’d be unwise
to stick with the very touch-unfriendly Windows 7 – but for pretty much any
other situation it’s a simple matter of personal preference, we still prefer
Windows 7. In truth, there’s unlikely to be a major desktop application released
in the coming years that doesn’t still run in Windows 7, and indeed many gamers
would argue that their favorites run more smoothly in the older OS. There’s also
been something of a backlash among experienced games developers against Windows
8’s more restrictive approach to software sales.
If you do opt for Windows 7 over Windows 8 you’re certainly not being backward,
as it’s still an excellent OS. You won’t have to mess around with Start menu
replacements, and there’s no danger of being hurled back into a different
interface when you press the 'wrong' key.
Ultimately, it's up to you: there is no right or wrong choice. As we've said,
the decision should be based partly on your hardware and partly on personal
preference.