windows 7 or 8.1

[my neighbor]

I have all my parts picked out, but the OS. Should i be getting windows 7 or 8.1 for a late 2014 build? Honestly, i hate the windows 8 start menu, i really like 7. But is windows 8.1 a lot faster and stuff than windows 7? Please let me know . thanks.

ARE PC's EASY TO BUILD ?? I'm nervous lol

 

[tiny voices]

I only got PRO because it was the same price with my student discount. No there is no reason to get pro at all. get home.

 

[my neighbor]

Do they offer student discounts when buying parts? prob not haha

 

[tiny voices]

No not on parts. You can get a copy of Windows cheap through most Colleges if you are a student.

 

[my neighbor]

Ok cool man thanks

 

[USAFRet]

WOW really, if i get Windows 8.1 now i can get 10 for FREE when it comes out? how??

Probably. That is not set in stone.

 

[photonboy]

WOW really, if i get Windows 8.1 now i can get 10 for FREE when it comes out? how??

Probably. That is not set in stone.

I've seen nothing official.

Usually, this is only for a limited time on pre-built's to prevent people waiting.

 

[my neighbor]

Well i can get the regular start menu in Windows 8.1 if i wanted to, so there's no reason i guess to get windows 7 🙂

Before you know it, it will be outdated (7)

 

[my neighbor]

if i buy windows 8.1 or even windows 7 can i install it on another computer too?

If i did buy windows 7 though, when would it be unsupported, will it be support for a long time?

 

[tiny voices]

An OEM copy? NO. You can only use it on one computer at a time.

Don't buy win7. Get 8.1 for sure.

with 7 you have to reinstall if you change motherboards, but with 8.1 usually it works without a reinstall. Also when you change boards with 7 you have to call Microsoft and fight for a new CD key, but with 8.1 you can simple call a robot and it will give you a new key.

 

[my neighbor]

LOL call a robot. um, so with a OEM (idk what the means) i can like.. put 8.1 on my new pc build, and then put it on my moms all in one pc for example, or only on my computer, and when i update hardware in the future i can use 8.1 again, but with 7 i cannot?

 

[tiny voices]

No you cannot install it on 2 computers at the same time. This goes for any version

ONLY when you change motherboard do you need to reactivate windows and 8.1 has the built in too while 7 requires you to call microsoft and often times they will not give you a new key and tell you buy one. 8.1 can be reactivated easily with the built in too and the call to the robot.

 

[my neighbor]

Dang you're smart. I just really hate thinking about that start menu in windows 8 though haha. Are you using the start default windows 8 start menu, that comes up on the whole screen with apps and stuff?

 

[tiny voices]

I never use that ever. You don't ever have to use that. I have it set to boot Windows to the desktop. I have probably used the 8.1 start page thing like twice in the last month. I NEVER use it.

 

[my neighbor]

Then what do you use for a start menu.. i don't get it lol.Does yours look like Windows 7 or what? And i thought when you install a OS it goes to the hard drive not the motherboard. So i could have 2 hard drives, 1 with 7 and 1 with 8.1 is that possible?

 

[tiny voices]

You use the little side panel thing on the right for control panel, and everything else is easily found in the explorer.

Yes you can dual boot OS's but to dual boot 2 different versions of Windows is pointless.

 

[my neighbor]

ah cool, is there any way to make the 'show desktop' icon bigger like windows 7? you can barely see it in 8

 

[tiny voices]

I don't think so. I never use that button. Lol

 

[photonboy]

Windows 10 Technical Preview is another option. And it's free for several more months. No idea of costs but I upgraded my dad's PC to Windows 8 for $40 when it first launched so may be a limited deal.

I'm testing it in a few minutes but it sounds pretty stable. Will have a few program issues such as Avast though they may provide a fix. The K-Lite video codec has a beta version available already.

 

[my neighbor]

is 8.1 better on newer hardware or same as 7? does 8.1 use less memory and stuff?

 

[tiny voices]

8.1 uses a bit less memory. hardware doesn't have much to do with it.

 

[photonboy]

SUMMARY of my experiences:

Windows 8.1 64-bit:
a) overall BETTER than Windows 7 slightly

b) reliability and security features like Secureboot (prevent boot-time infection which is the worst kind). Automated disc scans, and more.

c) is almost IDENTICAL to most people for look and usage once you add Start8 (my dad didn't even know I'd installed Windows 8 on his new PC. He thought it was Windows 7 like his old one)

d) Windows 7 will also be left behind for compatibility in some areas


2) WINDOWS 10 Technical Preview:

NOT STABLE ENOUGH!!

A few programs didn't work as expected including Avast antivirus, but when I rebooted I lost my NETWORK connection. Much troubleshooting to discover an issue with assigning my computer an IP address despite it having worked initially.

Tried Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet. Same issue. Rebooted MODEM and Router. Reinstalled Windows 10 and again it worked until reboot.

(It's possible a FRESH INSTALL would work much better though so perhaps that's worth trying for some people. I was updating Windows 8.1, however I'm not going to test a fresh install myself.

It's worth noting that an "upgrade" is in many ways a fresh install because the core software should be completely brand new code with only files and compatible programs added. Not sure why anything I had would impact the network connection so I suspect I'd have the same issue on fresh install.)

 

[my neighbor]

I'm getting windows 7, windows 8.1 is for tablets and touch screens 😛

 

[tiny voices]

No its not. We all have given reasons to get 8.1. Have fin with an outdated OS. There is NO reason to get 7 at all. You also lose support for easily reinstalling on new hardware which we went over. In no way shape or form is it a good idea to buy 7.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm getting windows 7, windows 8.1 is for tablets and touch screens 😛

Seeing as I've used 8 and 8.1 on various systems in here, and none of them are tablets not touch....you might be wrong.