Windows 7 –My Install and Comments

I started with a fresh install of a clean hard drive. Personally if you are going through the trouble of installing a new operating system it’s best to always start with a fresh install. 

I rebooted the computer booted from the DVD and it was off. It really only seemed to take a 15-20 min to copy files and restart. It may have restarted twice but it was pretty quick. Eventually I got to the part with a blue background image and there was a mouse cursor. This is the only complaint with the install it sits there for many minutes more than 5 with no hint if it is working or locked up; can’t even really hear the hard drive. Then text came up had me enter in my CD-key and pick what version I want to install; and I picked Ultimate. I don’t think that is normal I have an MSDN license and I can install any version; all versions are on the disk anyways. Over all the install was a lot quicker and cleaner than I expected.

Once I was up and running it asked to create a login name and the usual set up questions about automatic updates.  Then it quickly starts to download the latest updates.  Before I even noticed it had maybe 10 updates ready to install.  I was impressed by how fast and light the operating system felt.  It was a lot easer to get around and figure out where you want to go. Just about anywhere in Windows 7 you can just type in the search box what you want and it will find it.  Example: they renamed add and remove programs to Programs and Features.  I typed in the search Add and remove programs and that was an option and it took me to Programs and features.

There are several new features in Windows 7; the Libraries are nice but I would have liked a little more information about what are the best practices for how to use it.  For non-savvy computer users the added layer of libraries on top of folder management may be a lot to deal with.  For documents should I put everything in the my documents folder in other folders or create other folders in the users folders and add them to documents library.  Both have advantages and disadvantages.

The new Task Bar is really great work.  Once you get the hang of being able to tell what is running and what isn’t it is great. I like that close all windows seems to work all the time.  It was always grayed out in XP. 

The tray icons being moved into the little window was great.  I hate those icons and now every program insists on using them. 

The start menu has a few changes. I am so glad they got rid of My recent documents on the start menu that was useless; now each program had an arrow and a list of recent files.  They simplified the shutdown / restart options in Vista it was a mess.  I sometimes feel that options are missing from the start menu but after looking the only thing I keep looking for that is not there is Admin tool and Network and I added those back in.

The biggest issue I had was deciding whether or not to install 64bit or 32bit.  I decided on 32bit but I had having some regrets.  I am using the Windows XP Mode which is a fancy term for Windows Virtual PC. I believe the difference is that with Windows 7 Professional or higher you get the XP image free.  With that running Windows 7 is using 1.5GB of ram not a big deal over all but with a 3.23 GB usable limit with 32bit OS ram could become an issue.  Since I only have 4GB installed I did not want to run the 64bit OS since it and other application would use a lot more ram vs running under 32bit.  My opinion is you need at least 6Gb of ram to see any benefit from 64bit OS.  My current plan is to keep the 32bit until Office 2010 comes out since it will have a 64bit option.

In conclusion I would recommend if you have the hardware to run Windows 7 you should certainly upgrade and if you have or can get 6Gb of ram or more I’d install the 64bit version.