Reinstalling OS - 7 vs 8.1 vs 10

[Red_Machine]

I've ordered a new SSD, so I'm going to need to reinstall my OS. I'm debating going back to an older version of Windows (I have keys for all three), and just want a bit of input. None of the programs I use require 8.1 or 10, so I won't be losing anything going back to 7. 7 is just a less idiot-friendly OS, and I prefer the way certain things work on it, and also the lack of pervasive data collection.

8.1 is preferable to 10, because even though it's a "Modern" OS in Microsoft parlance, it still has hangovers from Windows 7 (such as Windows Update, and most functions not being integrated into Settings). But 7 would be my preferance, despite its age.

 

[Toothless]

You do what makes you happy. I use 7 in my VMs for the simplicity and 10 on host OS's.

 

[Melvis]

If your happy with 7 then stick with 7, nothing wrong with it, does everything an OS should do and as you said its alot idoit friendly to use. That been said I can say that 10 is now finally an OS I can live with after the creators update, runs pretty damn good on my old X58 i7-970 System. But personally I still prefer 7 over 10. Since you got an SSD maybe run 10 for a month, then go back to 7 if your not happy with it, wont take long to re install.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I like 10 because from latest ISO off of Media Creation Tool to operational and fully updated is less than an hour. Windows 7 is hell to update.

10 is 8.1 with an actual Start menu. 8.1/Server 2012 R2 makes me smash my head between boulders every time I click the Start button. My brain goes into instant panic screaming OH GOD MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! Usually involves bashing the escape button as fast as I can. Worst. Operating system. Ever. Sure it makes sense on tablets but it's heathenry to put it on desktops. I'm still reeling at how stupid Microsoft was on that.

 

[Red_Machine]

The lack of a proper start menu doesn't matter to me, as I use Stardock's Start8/Start10 to get a 7-style start menu.

 

[Kursah]

8.1 and 10 handle SSD's better by default. I still use and manage all 3 but prefer 10 then 8.1 and 7 last anymore. There's likely already more information stored in data centers about you from your shopping, bills, memberships, ISP's, mobil services, etc. than what 10 would report in all honesty, not saying its okay but that there's not nearly as much to lose here as you think there might be. The fight for privacy was lost long ago...10's data collection is a small drop in a very large pond. Folks are easily able to disable most of it too if they feel so inclined.

Go with what you like best. 10 and 8.1 have the management menus, Windows Server Hyper-V which is better for virtualization, better system management utilities, newer and more powerful versions of PowerShell. Don't let the shiny paint make you think 8.1 or 10 are any less capable than 7. Where 7 would need an in-place upgrade, 8.1 and 10 can repair themselves in most cases. Works great, can save time as well. I cover all of those in my OS Repair thread (link in sig). Not that any of them are perfect...all 3 have their pro's and con's. Weighted out, I still prefer 10 for work and play.

7 is in the background, 8.1 isn't far behind and 10 is in the foreground/future. I really don't see many reasons to go backwards aside from personal preference or the needs of hardware and/or software that just flat out won't play nice on 8.1 or 10. Also keep in mind moving forward you might have to go with Windows 10 if you buy new CPU's and Mainboards.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

The lack of a proper start menu doesn't matter to me, as I use Stardock's Start8/Start10 to get a 7-style start menu.

See...that's just it. Windows 10 has the performance of Windows 8.1 with a Start menu that's instantly recognizable like Windows 7. Additionally, Windows 10 comes with Windows 8.1's super useful right-click menu on the Start menu button which can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go in the guts of the operating system. From my perspective, Windows 10 is a fantastic hybrid of the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

Edge isn't garbage (only available on Windows 10) so most users are perfectly happy staying inside of the Windows ecosystem. Windows 10 also lets you access the Universal Windows Platform (think phone apps) that Windows 7 completely lacks.

 

[FireFox]

Windows 7 is hell to update.

Not really, i have a patch that in a few minutes finds you all W7 updates and in less than one hour you're done.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Windows 10: USB3 stick -> ready for client in 45~50 minutes. That includes installing operating system, installing drivers, and installing all available Windows Updates...on an 80 GB HDD and 5 Mbps internet.

Windows 7 feels a decade old...because it is.

 

[natr0n]

Win 7 is the new XP. You can disable more services on it without breaking anything has no bloat either. Also, it has better compatibility with older games.

Both 8.1 and 10 both handle cores better.When it comes to gpu's AMD I think no longer supports 8.1, so I dont know if nvidia will do such a thing down the road.

I use 7 on ssd and 10 on a raptor currently. If you have extra drives have multiple os'es like I do. Even got an XP 32 drive.

 

[trparky]

Not really, i have a patch that in a few minutes finds you all W7 updates and in less than one hour you're done.

But on Windows 10 all you have to do is install one cumulative update and you're done. Yep, one update to download and install and you're done no matter if you started out at 15063.13 or 15063.138, you're instantly updated to the latest Windows 10 build. It can't get any more simpler than that.

 

[MrGenius]

Not really, i have a patch that in a few minutes finds you all W7 updates and in less than one hour you're done.

If you mean this thing, it's pretty much worthless. You can't even use it without updating the Windows Update Agent first. And they apparently fixed windows update so it doesn't hang anymore with 7. So simply using the regular "check for updates" method, after updating the WUA, will grab all 200+ updates just as quickly as the "Convenience Rollup". So there's really no point in using it or WSUS anymore. That's been my experience with it lately anyway.