Overall, the most compelling operating system

I have Windows 7 in the Home Premium and Ultimate since beta phase on different systems in use and had no problems. The convincing to Windows 7 is that the overall concept is right: XP was just a simple system for home users and it runs even on weak PC quite fast (because the hardware has indeed evolved over the 8 years) is quite uncertain because of the outdated Architecture. On the other hand Vista was (unfortunately!) Not enough to convince home users, which was in my opinion to a large extent, especially on marketing and miserable the rocky start with poor driver support.

Windows 7 brings the two advantages together now: it is extremely stable and secure from the ground up, but at the same time it will run better on older hardware and is extremely easy to use. Microsoft has not time lost sight of the goal and have concentrated on the core values ​​of Windows. So remind the new taskbar with its simplicity actually on Windows 1.0 and not (google it!) - As often asserted - to the Dock in Mac OS X. Also, "Aero Snap" shows that the developers have done really fundamental thoughts. One wonders why no one has previously come to some smart idea. For example, the loading bar of a window is also displayed behind the icon in the taskbar and you can see if the download is completed, even if you work in another application.

Advantages over XP, because even in Vista:

- Faster and easier installation
- Safe architecture (no other BS currently has so many security features, Snow Leopard itself lacks some useful technologies)
- Internet Explorer is running in a so-called "sandbox" is so much more secure.
- Windows Explorer is very clear and simple, especially the "breadcrumb navigation" and convince the favorites list
- Media Center (Media Management, Record TV, still totally underestimated!)
- Practical gadgets (gadgets)
- Good included games
- Universal search feature that makes life really easier
- Built-in backup function, even the complete system
- Surface freely scalable (you can resize all elements choose freely, eg the DPI on a small screen zoom)
- Very good handwriting recognition (for tablet PCs) and shockingly good voice control for "free"
- Full 64-bit support in the corresponding version

Advantages over Vista:

- To narrow hardware much faster
- Future-proof technologies (64-bit, fully multi-touch, DirectX11: graphics card can also be used to speed up programs, etc ...)
- Significantly more modular than Vista: many components can be removed, such as IE, Media Player, etc ...
- Extremely easy network setup. So if you want to connect multiple computers at home, you should definitely change
- Window Management: "Aero Snap", one initially underestimated total, but then do not ever want to miss you
- Exempt from a number of contaminated sites and no ugly green hues in the surface more
- Media Player very fast and tidy, playing from the very beginning virtually any media file to install no more codecs!
- Can be summed up files from many sources (eg video from multiple disks) clearly in the so-called libraries.
- Better and simpler customization: you can set up "Themes" and so quickly switch between an optic for work and home own
- WordPad and Paint with new "Ribbon" interface and new features. Are characterized by 10 years now finally makes sense
- Even better handwriting recognition
- Hundreds of minor improvements as useful and easy to remember keyboard shortcuts

Disadvantages compared with Vista:

- No integrated mail program, Windows Live Mail is better and free of charge but must be installed separately. But this can also be updated more often than the BS of MS

Personally I would have liked to see all versions of Windows 7 would get the "Shadow Copy" function of the Ultimate Edition. It puts Vista / Win7 regular backups of all files and you can easily restore the "previous versions" of files (for Mac called like "Time Machine"). Also new gadgets would have been great.

Overall, one can recommend Windows 7 each. And who does not know Vista, will be surprised how easy and good Windows has become now.

Hmmm, my first review here and then the same so long;)

*****
Addendum: I found that even in the home premium version now the shadow copy function as well as the complete system backup POSSIBILITY OF ("system image") to create this are. This was available in Vista only in the Ultimate. So another plus point for a switch from Vista.

*****
2. Supplement: Even after approximately 4 months Windows 7 runs well and reliably and without any problems. If the Flash plugin Google Chrome browser not bring now and then crash, I could say: everything was perfect!

My long-term experience:

- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit on two systems in my application (desktop and notebook)
-. (Easy to arrange so window) Aero Snap is for me a small revolution (use a 24 "monitor) Very often I use the function to maximize a window only in height (double on the top or bottom of click ). Especially in long documents or websites very convenient
- I use the HomeGroup feature intensive. Once released my libraries from the desktop via Wi-Fi on the notebook are available. Music, videos and even HD movies I do not copy, they are simply streamed in real-time (!) When you open it on another PC via the Media Player
- The advertised Microsoft great innovations are all very helpful in everyday work. As a beta tester, I was still skeptical about whether I'm going to really use the Jump Lists and Libraries
- Who has a large monitor and frequently uses programs with multiple windows, possibly should turn off the grouping of taskbar icons. Thus, each window has a back button with text
- It's best to complete Windows 7 with the free tools "Windows Live Essentials" (especially the photo gallery), "Microsoft Security Essentials" and "Zune" (for the music collection useful even without MP3 players, more recently, in German ). But not because everything comes from MS, but works beautifully.