This is no great prediction since all new PCs will come with Windows 7 installed in a matter of weeks. But this time Microsoft has to make up for the shortcomings and disappointments of the clunky Windows Vista.
Installation was straightforward, though not for the faint-hearted: before it would install, the disc insisted I removed a wi-fi program. I did and my laptop had no wireless capabilities, which was alarming.
A couple of – unattended – hours later, normal services were restored, with gentle graphical enhancements and extra wallpaper options including decidedly creepy cartoon backgrounds.
The point of a new OS is to make tasks easier, faster and more convenient and Windows 7 scores well on all points. So if your desktop is cluttered with open windows, there are new options such as Aero Shake.
It's gimmicky but useful: click the mouse pointer on the title bar of the window you want, shake the mouse and the other panels are hidden. Dragging a window to the left or right edge of the screen reformats it to precisely fit half of your display, which is simple and helpful. Windows 7 also has a highly effective search function included in the Start panel.
Vista users who didn't get to stay with Windows XP will be glad to see this new release means the incessant, nagging warnings about installing programs, downloading files and so on have been substantially reduced. If you're leapfrogging Vista and upgrading from XP, the XP mode means you can still use some older programs – though only the Professional and Ultimate versions of Windows 7 feature this.
Mac users will claim that even the gentle upgrade that is Snow Leopard was enough to keep Mac OSX out in front in terms of usability and style, of course. But that's not the point: Windows 7 is there to dim the memories of Vista and offer a leaner, faster, more capable OS. It succeeds in all these and is a welcome update.
Windows 7
From £149.99
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