Should you abandon Windows 7 or 8 for Windows 10?

Silloway Insider Reasons

1. Support ends for Windows 7 in 2020 so if you intend to use your PC beyond 2020, you should get Windows 10
2. If you are frustrated with Windows 8, the new Windows 10 interface is MUCH better.

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Microsoft's Official Windows 10 website   CLICK HERE

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Windows 10 Features

Windows 10 is officially released.  But what if you’re still using Windows 7 or 8? Should you upgrade (it's free) or should you stick with your current Windows?

I will focus on the major differences and features - this is not an exhaustive comparison.

Windows 10 vs Windows 7 and 8 – Performance

Windows 10 brings us several performance upgrades. The most noticeable is boot-up time, which is noticeably faster and general navigation feels nippier. With improvement in power management, mobile device battery life tends to be a little longer.

Windows 10 vs Windows 7/8– Design

Windows 10 uses the flat and bold styling. 'Flat' is the design theme of choice– you will see it on many websites. W10 relies on dark grey, semitransparent menus that look cleaner and more professional.There are some practical benefits to the new design direction such as smaller windows due to the lack of borders. 

Windows 10 vs Windows 7/8 – Search and Start Menu

What does W10 bring to the table? Click on separate search box (on the taskbar) and it will include Windows Store apps and web search. Just clicking on the search box will show preview information such as the latest headlines, updates from your favorite sports teams and the weather, if you choose to turn these features on.


Introducing Cortana, your personal digital assistant. Cortana adds two key features. First -  it monitors your email, calendar and search to provide useful information like when you need to leave for your next appointment (requires an app).

You can use Cortana to add appointments or make notes. If you have a microphone, you can speak your commands to Cortana. It does a decent job of interpreting natural language.

Cortana doesn’t return the answer to you in the search bar, but rather opens the web browser.

All this is combined with a Start Menu that now includes the Live Tiles from the Start Screen of Windows 8. Certain key features such as File Explorer and Settings are more clearly visible.

Windows 10 vs Windows 7/8 – File Management

With Windows 10 there are improvements to File Explorer. The top menu is now arranged in a ribbon, the common tools are easy to click and easy for novices to find.

There is also a new Share ribbon which makes it much easier to move files between different apps such as Outlook, Dropbox or Skype.

There is an improved file copying interface. Transfer speed is also shown in real time and operations can be paused. Previously they could only be cancelled.

Windows 10 vs Windows 7/8 – Notifications

Windows 10 has a single place for all notifications. This simple addition brings together system messages and app notifications into one place, with alerts ordered chronologically. 

Windows 10 vs Windows 7/8 – Workspace Management

Windows 10 adds virtual desktops and better multi-monitor support.

With Windows 10 both these features have been enhanced. Different monitors can now have different backgrounds. 

The taskbar can now appear on multiple monitors or both your primary monitor and whichever monitor you’re currently active in. Snap has also been improved to support snapping to four corners, not just side to side.

Perhaps the biggest addition, though, is virtual desktop support. Although Windows 7 has had support for virtual desktops via third-party software, now it's built right in. 

Windows 10 vs Windows 7/8 – The Verdict

There's nothing wrong with sticking with Windows 7, however note that Microsoft will only support W7 until 2020.

Windows 10 has a lot of genuinely useful new features, as well as key improvements to old features, compared to Windows 7 and 8. None is enough on its own to make an upgrade necessary, but when combined they do make a compelling case.

Better search, window management, dual monitor features, virtual desktops and file management plus Windows 10 is faster in general use and the new Start Menu is better than Windows 8.