XP user..Windows 7 or 8?

SteveCh

New Member
Messages
17
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and also new to having to decide about operating systems. I am a microcontroller software developer likely to run some legacy software under a VM (I have a thread going on that forum). I use Windows Explorer to move my files around, Calculator, even the command prompt for some old DOS programs (QB45 Microsofts BASIC programming tool). I also use the Start Menu at times for access to My Computer and My Documents. If I move to Windows 8 will I lose all these facilities? I'm not into social media, don't have music or photo files to access so all this tile based stuff seems a bit irrelevant But I am attracted by the speed of W8. My other option is Windows 7 which is at least vaguely similar to XP but does not have such a good VM facility (so I believe).

Any views would be appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Pentium
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
Go with Windows 8. Add a Start Menu and you have the Windows 7 interface (mostly) with the stability and performance enhancements of Windows 8.

I use Start8 from Stardock ($4.95) but I loaded Classic Shell on my daughter's new HP Laptop and she is happy with it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I'd say start with Windows 7 - Just to get used to all of the things that are different from Windows XP, like the internal firewall. Then you can up to 8. If you like XP then you'll like 7 more, but 8 has some benefits, runs faster even on old machines.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Hi Steve,

I've also come from XP to 8, although I don't use nearly such technical things as you do.
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and also new to having to decide about operating systems. I am a microcontroller software developer likely to run some legacy software under a VM (I have a thread going on that forum).
Slightly off topic, as it's a hardware issue affecting both 7 and 8, and I don't know if this is relevant to the USB kit you use, but I have a USB music interface, and the one I have seems to have problems with certain Intel chipsets. This is a pain with a laptop where I can't upgrade the USB ports so easily. Music software folk get upset about timing problems and latency; might be an issue for you too with certain hardware.
Connectivity of USB 1.1 devices on non-root hubs .: Focusrite Answerbase

I use Windows Explorer to move my files around
The Windows 8 File Explorer is a step forward from the Windows 7 equivalent. Coming from XP it's not the same, but I do like it.

even the command prompt for some old DOS programs (QB45 Microsofts BASIC programming tool)
I don't know about QB45, however the old QBASIC that came with DOS does work for me, but I think it's only because I'm using Windows 8 in its 32-bit version. Don't think it would work in 64-bit.

Another thing I found- if you use Windows XP's native Backup software, the backups it creates can't (unless they've fixed it since I last looked) be opened in Windows 8.

Some versions of Windows 7 (Professional?? and Ultimate??) have a built-in, already licensed Windows XP Virtual Machine which may be useful to you if you need that compatibility. Windows 8 doesn't have this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Remember that 64 bit Windows provides zero support for 16 bit applications. In that case a virtual machine would be the only option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
get windows 8 for all the performance improvements and new utilities. you can always add windows 7-like functionality easily.

windows xp to any windows thereafter is a big jump. the people that jumped from xp to vista had a jolt because of the changes to the UI. it was a breeze for the people that jumped from vista to 7 because 7 has pretty much the same UI as Vista but more reliable performance. and windows 8 has windows 7 functionality for the most part but added a new UI to go along with it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
Windows 8.

There are facilities there to access Computer and Documents and Calculator and command prompt.
Screenshot (110).png
Screenshot (111).png

Hyper V personally hasn't been as solid as VMware Workstation though.

The OVERWHELMINGLY not understood thing about Windows 8 is that it offers a "flexible" UI. If you use a touchscreen, there are things there to be configured for touch. If you don't, you it's just as easy to configure it for nontouch use. If you're a Desktop user, bloody simple to configure that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and also new to having to decide about operating systems. I am a microcontroller software developer likely to run some legacy software under a VM (I have a thread going on that forum). I use Windows Explorer to move my files around, Calculator, even the command prompt for some old DOS programs (QB45 Microsofts BASIC programming tool). I also use the Start Menu at times for access to My Computer and My Documents. If I move to Windows 8 will I lose all these facilities? I'm not into social media, don't have music or photo files to access so all this tile based stuff seems a bit irrelevant But I am attracted by the speed of W8. My other option is Windows 7 which is at least vaguely similar to XP but does not have such a good VM facility (so I believe).

Any views would be appreciated.


Hi there
run VMPLAYER (FREE) for your XP legacy systems --it does a great job and is far far superior to the XP Mode in W7.

As to whether you want to use W7 or W8 - only you can know -- In your position I'd wait a bit until the new update of W8 (8.1) is made public -- you'll be able then to TEST it as a trial --a number of issues with W8 hopefully will have been fixed by then.

If you don't like it then choose W7 -- at least you'll be able to TRY W8 without spending any money.

Wait as I said -- don't mess around with some of those "Mickey mouse" apps that mess around with menus and the start panel --they might all stop working after the 8.1 windows update or won't be necessary. (Stardock, Start 8 etc etc.)

If you really want to TRY the current state of play with W8 -- then download the ENTERPRISE version - there's a 90 day free trial - but remember this version isn't available via retail so some features will be lacking (for example "Windows to Go") on the consumer (i.e non enterprise) version.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
if he's going to have to pay for a new OS, he could save some money by skipping 7. if the UI is a problem (and we don't know until he tries it), then he can easily make 8 behave like 7 at no (or minimal) cost.

the only thing you worry about really is if you have some hardware devices that don't have drivers in windows 8. but if a lot of your devices are windows xp only, then they won't work in windows 7 either, especially if it's the 64-bit version. like I have an old Canon scanner that only has a TWAIN driver (no WIA driver) but that driver only works in the 32-bit environment so that means if I want to use the scanner with Photoshop, I have to load up the 32-bit version of Photoshop instead of the 64-bit version (64-bit Photoshop won't even recognize TWAIN as an interface). Canon has moved on to driver development for newer scanners so I still have 32-bit and 64-bit Photoshop versions installed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
With 7 he could always install "XP Mode" but Jimbo's VM looks good as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I recommend you go for Windows 8 and just have a week to settle in then customize the menu to what you use and slowly check out the Metro apps for quick weather or mini-info of the world.

For your older Programs, Maybe try
DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS

Also if you get Windows 8 Pro, Hyper-V is really good. And you can probably install Windows XP if you have a Key in a VM in Hyper-V.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony VAIO VPCF136FM
    CPU
    Intel i7 Q 740 Quad @ 1.73 GHz (Boast to 2.83 GHz)
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M
    Sound Card
    Sound System: Intel® High Definition Audio w/ Dolby® Home Theater® v3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop Screen Size: 16.4"
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB Solid State Hybrid Drive SATA 6Gbps 64MB Cache 2.5-Inch ST1000LM014; Type: Serial ATA-600; Speed: 5400 rpm
    Keyboard
    QWERTY, 103 keys with 2.0mm stroke and 19.05mm pitch; Backlit; 10 Key Numeric Pad
    Mouse
    Electro-static touchpad (Multi-Finger); Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse
    Internet Speed
    105 Mbs Down/ 10 Mbs Up
    Browser
    Edge; Firefox; Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton Security
    Other Info
    Sony Support Page:
    http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=VPCF136FM
    Specs Doc:
    http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/VPCF136FMB_mksp.pdf
If money is not an issue, get both dual boot your system and you can use one or the other for your needs..

Software is cheap, your time, labor, and headaches cost a lot...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
    CPU
    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8200M G
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Mouse
    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
    Browser
    Chrome and Chromium
    Antivirus
    Avast Free & Malwarebytes
At this point, I'd say why bother with Windows 7. Just get used to 8. If you don't like 8 natively, there are quite a few things that you can do to make it work better for you. Many of us here who don't use 8 natively can give you advice.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise have Windows XP Mode available. XP Mode if you don't know is an actual copy of XP- downloadable. Found that it crawls in Win7 32Bit with 3G Ram... works but it's not quick. With a pc w/8G Ram and Win7 64Bit, it's pretty snappy.

Windows 8 from what I understand has Hyper-V virtualization available. If you want to run XP there, I'm pretty sure that you will have to have an XP CD available to install. If you don't have one, good luck in purchasing it.

Both have different hw requirements for them to work.

If you're upgrading on a pc, make note of the current drivers you are using- so you can use them later w/XP. SmartDriverBackup is one such tool for this.

-Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor- Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Official Microsoft Download Center

-Windows7 XP Mode overview- Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

-Now, you can run XP Mode without Hardware-Assisted Virtualization, but it's probably better if your PC CPU supports it. Microsoft checker for Hardware Assisted Virtualization capability: Download Microsoft® Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool from Official Microsoft Download Center

-Windows 8 has a newer style GUI, which isn't too bad. Win8 is a bit faster.

-Microsoft site Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant- Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows It will scan your PC to see if it can run Win8 OK.

-Dual boot is the way to go. If you could, then the dilemma is over. It's also important for development to see if the programs run ok in both.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    s: XP, Win7, Win8, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Laptop - recommended brand.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 currently- laptop monitor
    Other Info
    Have XP Virt. Mach. on Win7.
    // 2-7-2015 - Purchased cheap Win 8.1 tablet. So far, it's amazing. Update: 5-24 - Switched to MS Surface 3. it's just a better way to go.
Hi all, thanks for your comments. I have been playing with VMware Player and running my legacy software under Windows 7. From comments on here I will probably go with Windows 8. I note that there is a version update coming soon so may wait until that arrives.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    XP
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Pentium
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
-Dual boot is the way to go. If you could, then the dilemma is over. It's also important for development to see if the programs run ok in both.
That adds a fair amount of complexity and doubles your license costs. Unless you need to game under a second OS, I don't recommend dual boots anymore. Run a virtual machine instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
-Dual boot is the way to go. If you could, then the dilemma is over. It's also important for development to see if the programs run ok in both.
That adds a fair amount of complexity and doubles your license costs. Unless you need to game under a second OS, I don't recommend dual boots anymore. Run a virtual machine instead.

That would probably work for a lot of users. It's a good idea.

For me, I needed XP Mode to run a legacy program. Instead of springing for a new version of said program, I sprung for Win7 Professional, using XP Mode. Overall it's a less expensive route. AFAIK, a Virtual Machine requires an XP CD, which I don't have available. So ended up using XP provided for in Win7 XP Mode instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    s: XP, Win7, Win8, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Laptop - recommended brand.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 currently- laptop monitor
    Other Info
    Have XP Virt. Mach. on Win7.
    // 2-7-2015 - Purchased cheap Win 8.1 tablet. So far, it's amazing. Update: 5-24 - Switched to MS Surface 3. it's just a better way to go.
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