Keep Windows 7 or install 8.1?

[backseatjuan]

Hello there sosuave. I use my notebook for business, and I love my Windows 7 which is already running more than 2 years without reinstall. It is strong and not even cluttered, but I want to reinstall the operating system, because it's just time. I have Windows 7 corporate. And here is a delima, reinstall my beloved Windows 7 or install a brand new Windows 8.1 corporate? Help me choose.

I did try before Windows 8 and it made me throw up. However I did install some Windows 8.1 to clients machines and it looks to be alright now, it has matured. Obviously I could try and use Windows 8.1 and if I don't like it I could just go back to Windows 7, but it's time on my part doing re installation, of not just the OS but also all the software, and I have a lot of software. Time equals money, and in a day that I make several hundred bucks I will be busy with my own stuff. So help me choose by giving some cons and pros from your own experiences.

I use my notebook for business placing orders and stuff, and then also doing firmware stuff with phones and tablets.

 

[Eph]

You're gonna need a start menu replacement app to use 8.1 to complete the "7 experience", but I've using 8.1 for a while now and I use it exactly the same way I used 7. You don't need to ever see the Modern UI if you don't want to. Really the only benefit of using 8.1 over 7 is that it's current (until next year), and it's more stable than 7. It can also have insane boot times depending on your hardware. I like it. But if you've been using 7 all this time, with no issue, I don't really see a reason to upgrade now. Save the money and wait for Windows 10 next year. Of course, there have been rumors about Windows 10 being a free upgrade to 8.1 users. So, that might be something to consider.

 

[Huffman]

Stay with Windows 7. I have both.

The only advantage for Win8 is the fast startup time (it doesn't really shutdown but rather hibernate). If you don't need any specific feature, then just leave it.

 

[backseatjuan]

I installed Windows 8.1 Enterprise. I absolutely love it! The metro interface I hated before is really nice and user friendly, I don't even want my classic style menu back. The only thing I changed to default settings is the font size, back to smallest the way it used to be in previous versions and it's awesome!

My SSD died so I had to install something onto a temporary hard drive. I've ordered mSATA SSD mushkin and WD black 750 both 6.0 gigs per second, when it arrives from America here gonna install Windows 8.1 for real, now it's just practice. But man this thing is awesome. I highly recommend it.

Back when they released Vista I tried it and didn't like it and stuck to Windows XP. Then when Windows 7 arrived I tried it and said no because of driver issues. It's same thing with windows 8 and 8.1. I guess when Microsoft releases an operating system it's just not mature enough, then when it matures it becomes real good and you install again and bang, wow, this thing turns out to be good.

 

[Tictac]

If you don't have a touch screen, 8 is sort of a waste.

But you will need to get used to 8 and it's progeny sooner or later.

 

[Skyline]

Windows 7 is the best OS that Microsoft has released so far. My buddy's friend works at Intel and he got his hands on the next windows 10, yes they skipped 9 for some reason... He hates it and declares that windows 7 has been the best so far.

Unless you feel like having an Xbox menu as your start screen and have "apps" that you have to sometimes download separately WHILE sometimes having to run programs in compatibility mode, then don't get it. I have windows 8.1 and 7.1 and if I had the option to go to 7.1 I would. Windows 8.1 isn't BAD but it can certainly get annoying.

 

[backseatjuan]

My plan is simply, to fully enjoy it while I wait for the new SSD and HDD to arrive, several weeks. Meanwhile I'm gonna use it for work and fun and see, finally, what it's all about. No man, I love its GUI, great stuff.