Microsoft made so many radical changes to the desktop version of the Windows 8 operating system that many users chose to keep it on their Windows 7 computers. We explained why it was time to upgrade for all of them to Windows 10, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.

Should I buy Windows 10?

Windows 7 continues to be a very stable and reliable version of the operating system. However, general support from Microsoft has ended and security updates are scheduled to cease in 2020.

Given this scenario, you may not want to upgrade to Windows 10 right now if you still have a computer with limited hardware resources. But if Windows 8 generally left a bad taste in your mouth, the time has come to take the step to the latest edition of Windows 10, the one that will make it possible for you to be much more productive.

Windows 10 analysis

Windows 8 was a radically different version of the operating system from its predecessor Windows 7, which caused some suspicion among the user community when carrying out the update.

With the arrival of Windows 10, Microsoft brought back the legacy look of Windows 7, also improving the performance of computers and adding new features. As a result of these differences, we have decided to develop this article that clarifies what the real differences between the two are.

From the outset, it should be known that Windows 7 security updates will continue until January 2020, although Microsoft offers another formula so that professional users can pay for updates additionally until 2023, something that will not be an option for home users.

In this way, it is convenient to consider making the jump to Windows 10 on the basis that January 14, 2020 is the date set by Microsoft to somehow put aside the support and the most relevant updates to this operating system.

Currently, Windows 10 comes standard with countless new PCs and laptops, although some continue to be marketed without an operating system or with free software alternatives. You can choose to buy a license in the Microsoft online store, although as an alternative, it is usually cheaper to obtain a computer with an OEM version.

You should know that Windows 8.1 is still being marketed at a price of € 60.

READ MORE –  Everything Microsoft improved with Windows 10 and upcoming Updates

The start menu

The Windows 7 interface has always been simple and user-friendly, with the natural evolution that was expected by making the leap from its predecessor Windows Vista or Windows XP for many users.

Just click on the ‘Start’ menu in the lower left corner to start browsing the operating system options. When the Windows 8 engineering group decided to supplant this main-button-centric approach to the toolbar, it soon became apparent that not many users wanted large icons (tiles, as they were called), nor did menus that move. From top to bottom or laterally.

In fact, many people chose to resort to tools like Classic Shell or Start8 that allowed to skip and skip this procedure to return to the usual desktop mode of previous Windows editions with its simple start menu.

Windows 10 didn’t make the same mistake. In fact, Microsoft was quick to listen to feedback from the user community to return to offer what was really in demand. With successive versions of Windows 10 we have been able to verify how new very useful features have been added to the fundamental essence of use.

Windows 8 Active Tiles are now included on the right side of the menu, so if you prefer not to show them on your desktop, you can easily remove them. Additionally it is also possible to run the ‘Start’ menu in full screen mode.

The left side of the menu provides a continuation with Windows 7 in the sense that it maintains the presence of the applications that are used more regularly, the file explorer, the settings and the search bar.

With the update to Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the so-called Live Tiles take on greater prominence by offering information in real time, instead of taking you to the home page of each application.

More important still is the ‘All apps’ list, which has become the default view when opening the ‘Start’ menu. This also changes the position of the power button, which now resides in the left corner. All of this adds up to a better Windows 7 experience through the ‘Start’ menu.

Search the web from the desktop

One area where the changes between both versions of Windows 7 and Windows 10 are more tangible is in the search section. In Windows 10, the search bar not only searches for folders, apps or files on your PC, but it is also linked to the Windows Store and browser so you can also search the web directly from your desktop. It is something that many people are unaware of.

It is not necessary to navigate to the right tab when you want to search for something, since you just have to press the Windows key, start typing and the results will be displayed in a browser window. There is also another very relevant difference such as the presence of Microsoft’s personal assistant, Cortana.