Difference Between Windows 7 and 8

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Mitchell

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Sorry if this has already been posted.
I just want to know what the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8 is...
I know that there is a new start screen, but for me that's it, the Desktop environment looks the same.

Just want to know if there are other features, because that is what is putting me off from installing windows 8... that's its pretty much Windows 7 with a new start screen
 
Lot's of new features under the hood.
1). Faster hybrid boot
2). Native mounting of ISO files
3). Much better chkdsk
4). Built in Hyper-V client
5). Storage Spaces
6). Built in AV, deeper integration to prevent malware
7). Better dual monitor support

The real kick in the balls is having to use the new UI, deal with crap like the charms bar, and accept the ugly as hell 2D non-aero look. A few people really love these changes, but I think the overwhelming majority don't necessarily care for them.
 
That, and the new apps for Windows 8 through the new Windows Store, where you can also download Desktop apps as well.

There is also the Ribbon in Explorer, which makes file management faster, at least for me. The Desktop is fairly the same as 7's, except for some UI changes like the Ribbon, non-transparent windows (although the Taskbar is transparent) and some more emphasis on cleaner looking window chrome versus posh over the top glassy shininess.

The Start Screen is like the start menu except full screen and more customizable and manageable than the menu was. As it's more visual, you end up finding things quicker. Although, there are some that dispute this fact.
 
Coke Robot said:
The Start Screen is like the start menu except full screen and more customizable and manageable than the menu was. As it's more visual, you end up finding things quicker. Although, there are some that dispute this fact.
Click to expand...
My opinion is that the Start Screen is perfectly acceptable in a touch screen environment, but useless on my desktop or PC. I don't have a need or desire to have a "full screen" launching point for my apps. A couple of desktop icons, a couple of pinned taskbar entries and that's all that i need. I don't like being moved away from my desktop (and seeing emails, instant messages, etc). when I launch the full screen Start Screen. I don't like the "live" nature of the tiles. They are distracting and a waste of bandwidth to me. Not to mention, they get confusing when your People app is showing a facebook pic, your photo app is also showing a pic...and you cannot easily tell which tile is which. I don't like having to clean up the Start Screen when the program installer litters it full of tiles that I will hardly ever use. And I don't like the fact that I don't have any classic start button options without going with a third party whose integration may or may not be stable, reliable, or secure.

I don't really use any of the "new" apps because I'm annoyed to no end that they are full screen or only able to use 130px of the screen of the entire screen. I generally don't like getting to application settings via the Charms bar....i much prefer an in-app File, Edit, View menu etc.

I'm a Windows fan...but not a fan of Windows 8.
 
pparks1 said:
Coke Robot said:
The Start Screen is like the start menu except full screen and more customizable and manageable than the menu was. As it's more visual, you end up finding things quicker. Although, there are some that dispute this fact.
Click to expand...
My opinion is that the Start Screen is perfectly acceptable in a touch screen environment, but useless on my desktop or PC. I don't have a need or desire to have a "full screen" launching point for my apps. A couple of desktop icons, a couple of pinned taskbar entries and that's all that i need. I don't like being moved away from my desktop (and seeing emails, instant messages, etc). when I launch the full screen Start Screen. I don't like the "live" nature of the tiles. They are distracting and a waste of bandwidth to me. Not to mention, they get confusing when your People app is showing a facebook pic, your photo app is also showing a pic...and you cannot easily tell which tile is which. I don't like having to clean up the Start Screen when the program installer litters it full of tiles that I will hardly ever use. And I don't like the fact that I don't have any classic start button options without going with a third party whose integration may or may not be stable, reliable, or secure.

I don't really use any of the "new" apps because I'm annoyed to no end that they are full screen or only able to use 130px of the screen of the entire screen. I generally don't like getting to application settings via the Charms bar....i much prefer an in-app File, Edit, View menu etc.

I'm a Windows fan...but not a fan of Windows 8.
Click to expand...
Well, it sounds like you don't really need a start menu! :D Actually, those live tiles don't eat up bandwidth or system resource as they were designed to be efficient. For example, it only takes maybe a few kilobytes of data to refresh a tile, but opening the app requires more bandwidth as the REST of the app's contents need refreshing. They only activate in an interval or when there is a trigger.

If you find it distracting, you can either turn them off, or separate them so they're less up in your face.

And that's the point of the Start Screen, being able to SEE what clutter installed. Do you see that with the start menu? Probably not so much unless if you already use it heavily. Most people don't, as that's partly the reason why the Start Screen was designed. A few Taskbar pins, maybe a MFU pin on the start menu, a couple of Desktop icons; that's it. No need for the start menu other than Computer, Libraries, Control Panel and to shut down.

I personally am liking the Charms bar better than the classic drop down file method. Usually, an app with have its own commands, and uses the system contracts (Charms) to share or be searched. I find it just homogenizes app design so EVERY app has a search command (ones that can be searched), EVERY app that can share will have an entry in Share, EVERY app that can connect to a device is there in Devices, and EVERY app has a settings function with the Settings charms. Simple. Maybe I just prefer new over the classic method.... :)
 
Coke Robot said:
Actually, those live tiles don't eat up bandwidth or system resource as they were designed to be efficient. Well of course, they are designed to not hog bandwidth. But that doesn't mean that while sitting there all day or perhaps for days on end they aren't using bandwidth.

Coke Robot said:
And that's the point of the Start Screen, being able to SEE what clutter installed. Do you see that with the start menu? Probably not so much unless if you already use it heavily.
Click to expand...
I don't see the advantage here. I would believe that with most apps, you will simply remove the tile...but not uninstall anything. So, it will still be installed and technically cluttering up your PC.


Coke Robot said:
I personally am liking the Charms bar better than the classic drop down file method. Usually, an app with have its own commands, and uses the system contracts (Charms) to share or be searched. I find it just homogenizes app design so EVERY app has a search command (ones that can be searched), EVERY app that can share will have an entry in Share, EVERY app that can connect to a device is there in Devices, and EVERY app has a settings function with the Settings charms. Simple. Maybe I just prefer new over the classic method.... :)
Click to expand...

I like the "search" features of the charms...but that's about it. Overall, I find more feeling of it being a nuisance than a benefit. I just don't see the value in this change. It doesn't help me or make me any more productive.
Click to expand...
 
Mitchell said:
Sorry if this has already been posted.
I just want to know what the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8 is...
I know that there is a new start screen, but for me that's it, the Desktop environment looks the same.

Just want to know if there are other features, because that is what is putting me off from installing windows 8... that's its pretty much Windows 7 with a new start screen
Click to expand...
IMO, the main reason for installing Win8 is that you want to work with the Charm Bar and the new interface (Metro) in general. Working in this fashion seems very, very inefficient given the way I want to use a PC, and to really figure out where everything is (and to remember later) takes significant effort. The reason for not installing Win8 I gave above is somewhat the opposite of the main reason for not installing it; it is hard to avoid using the Charm Bar and the new interface (Metro) too much--which to me, as said, is very, very inefficient given what I do with a computer. A reason for installing Win8 eventually is that MS support for Win7 will eventually come to an end. However, look how long MS support has existed for XP. Ignoring the Charm Bar/new interface, I haven't found any new features in Win8 that are compelling.
 
I like some of the new features added to Windows 8 like better overall security, but I do not care for the Start Screen (aka Metro), so I compromised and used Ex7forWin8 to add the Windows 7 Start Menu. Now my Windows 8 desktop works like 7 and I am a happy camper.
 
LovingWindows said:
SIW2 said:
Yes, if he doesn't like it - then it must be his fault. :sarc:
Click to expand...

If one cannot adapt to change, then yes it is.
Click to expand...

Why do people think that it's all about the inability to accept change. People can choose for themselves whether they actually like it. Cars change from year to year, but that doesn't mean that I like each model released. A sequel to a movie doesn't have to be loved simply because people need to accept change. Why should the newest release of Windows be any different?
 
Well Mitchell,

as most here know, i turned my back to Windows 7 some 15 months ago.

When i want to work fast.....thank god there is the new start menu.

Which turns you mostly to the old dekstop view.

Do not want to search for anything at all, that's why for me the start menu is great.

But i understand others who use their pc for fun and games are not that interested in the new start menu.

The old taskbar......i really hate this now.

All i have there right now = Word, Excel, File Explorer, Outlook (because it is nice to see if new mails arrived) and IE.

That is it.

But in the new start menu i have right now 46 tiles.

Still trying to see what others like about Windows 7 + the old start screen and tiles.

Jeff
 
Mitchell:

There's two basic reasons to upgrade to Win8 over Win7:
1) It provides new hardware-related features that you want or need, and
2) It provides a new UI that you want or need.

As to 1), post #2 already lists some of them, and if you Google, you can probably find a thread (even on this forum) about new features that Win8 brings to PCs. I did that, read through the features -- and came to the conclusion that none of them were anything I needed but some were worth trying out.

As to 2) if the new UI is not something you want to use, then you fall back on 1).

Newer is not always better -- it is really only different.
 
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