Difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8

Difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8

Microsoft Windows has already demonstrated Windows 8 preview of its new features in Microsoft conference Build. Though, it is the fact that the shown demonstrations are not yet completed. There are some key differences between Windows 7 and Windows 8 which are given here below-

If we talk about Windows 7 operating system, then no doubt it is good operating system to experience. It is among second best OS liked by the world after the Windows XP. Windows 7 includes many fabulous features which are creating history but no doubt, it also has some troublesome which is making people think of switching to Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 on the other hand, has been tried to be the operating system for tablets to televisions. Microsoft Windows has already ruled the desktops and laptops and its next target is tablets, ultra books and televisions.

The differences which Microsoft Windows brings to Windows 8 in comparison to Windows 7 are as follows-

Windows Touch friendly features
The main difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8 comes with its metro style interface that provides live title of rectangle shape which has replaced the icon pattern in Windows 8. In Windows 7 operating system, software shortcuts are in the form of icons. As far as the touch interface is concerned then Windows 7 supports touch interface but not that much, what was expected. So, Windows 8 comes with true touch interface for Metro style apps. It is fast way of accessing data by using an improved on-screen keyboard and handwriting recognition.


Windows ARM processor support
Windows 7 is fully compatible and supportive for x86 processors which is build for traditional home computers but the hint of Windows 8 operating system has changed this current scenario such that Windows 8 offers support for devices running on ARM processor. ARM processor designs are used for growing number of devices. Microsoft Windows is excited to implement ARM processor in its upcoming devices.


Windows based cloud computing
Earlier, it was not possible to store large amount of data on servers but cloud computing have made it possible. Windows 7 is not representing cloud based services but Windows 8 does. We know that Microsoft Windows will come with central cloud integration in Windows 8 operating system. It is representing synchronized data for a Skydrive which interface settings between PC's browsing and other photos which is being shared among multiple platforms.

Windows based apps store
Windows 8 operating system introduces new app store in which different apps is implemented for various devices and settings on right of the screen. The settings section includes contextual apps like volume, brightness, restart and power options. You can share content, links, app reviews, contacts, metro apps, facebook and twitter applications with your friends or colleagues. Windows 8 store offers both desktop apps and ecosystem for developers. On the other hand, Windows 7 OS is missing all these features.


Multiple monitors support in Windows
Microsoft announced that customers can use more than one monitor to connect with Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 PC management allows customers to use multiple monitors at same time. It means Windows 8 offers flexibility by allowing start screen at one monitor and desktop in another. Customer can also choose taskbar on both screens with different icons on each monitor. Moreover, you can play with background images as well by changing it separate on each monitor. Such support is not available with Windows 7 operating system

Windows 8 Is Not Compatible

Faster, but negligibly so. With all the added benefits one has to wonder: "just how fast is it?" Well, according to the benchmarks the difference isn't substantial in day-to-day use, the performance assessments focusing on differences that will hardly ever be noticed by Windows 8 users that do not use benchmarks.

An extra few points in Google V8 will go unnoticed in terms of browsing experience when modern browsers in Windows 7 are already fast to start with. Boot-up times are indeed much improved, but shaving a few seconds when booting is like starting a car faster; not going to make any real difference unless the user constantly restarts the computer, which commonsense dictates is an unlikely scenario. The same can be said about gaming or multimedia performance, which improves to a point where only benchmarks and timers can pinpoint the difference.

Basically unless you want to squeeze that last tiny drop of performance, you're better off sticking to the version already installed.

Windows 8 Store lacks relevance and is immature. The first issue with the store is that it's mainly designed for Windows UI apps, leaving the aquisition of Desktop apps to the developer which makes it look like an afterthought. The second and most important is the insignificant number of applications available through Windows 8 store compared to the plethora of apps designed for the "Desktop Windows" making it just a gimmick until the platform matures; it can take some time to take off which is why a rushed upgrade is a bad idea. Facebook, Google+, Instagram are all missing right now, and these are just three examples off the top of my head.

Microsoft account is required. Windows 8 provides two methods of authentication, one using a local account and the second relying on a Microsoft account. The only way to get access to complete Windows 8 functionality is to use the latter, basically forcing you to apply for a Microsoft account in order to benefit from all features. Want to use a Google account? Tough luck. Features like Windows Store only work with Microsoft account. If you do not have one or do not want to create one just for Windows 8 you're out of luck.

SkyDrive integration only. Microsoft places its own services in the first lines of "assault", which can be viewed as a good thing in terms of added functionality, but at the same time doesn't offer an alternative to the people out there using Google Drive or Dropbox that have already paid for extra storage space on the popular cloud storage providers. Then there is the issue of all cloud data being stored on Microsoft's own servers, which might not sit well with some users as far as privacy concerns go.

Windows Defender can't replace a dedicated security software suite. While it provides a certain basic degree of security, Windows Defender is still pretty far away in terms of overall functionality compared to dedicated security software suites and it still doesn't integrate with Windows Firewall to provide a unified interface for the integrated security software. It's addressed only for basic security needs which basically means that it can't offer the same degree of protection as a fully fledged security suite.

Multiple monitor support is only useful to some. Because let's face it, this does not target every Windows user like some of the features do. It has a limited applicability because of the obvious hardware requirements and having the ability to separate the new Windows 8 UI from the Desktop on two separate monitors is not necessarily important when the old Desktop did just fine before. A similar functionality exists already that allows to separate working spaces on multiple monitors; this is just as good when there are not two different interfaces to play with, but just the older Desktop.

The new ribbon desktop interface is different, but not necessarily improved. A few months ago Microsoft decided that an Aero-like look a la Windows 7 is not worthy of Windows 8 and accordingly has removed all transparency effects from the desktop interface. The change was made for the sake of using less resources, directly benefiting tablets not desktops. It's not necessarily better looking and it certainly doesn't provide extra functionality over the older Windows Explorer which is important when defining the term "upgrade." Same functionality, just the look is different.

Windows 8 UI has a higher learning curve and makes simple operations more complicated. A good example of how the new UI makes Windows 8 seem unintuitive is power options, as performing simple operations like shutting down the computer is for some reason more complicated to do than it was with Windows XP or Windows 7. This is just an example of how the learning curve in Windows 8 is higher than with any other desktop operating system to come from Microsoft. Then there is the confusion added by a separate interface. Pressing a button switches from Desktop to Windows 8 UI and vice-versa, which will only encumber inexperienced users that were used to a single place to conduct all operations.