Manage updates with the Download AppWindows 7
A newer version of Windows 7 is available.
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Outstanding
Full user review
-
"Best OS ever. Period."
Pros
Boot-up, hibernation/sleep, & shutdown times; software/hardware compatibility; customization; design; gaming; management; memory footprint; performance; personalization; reliability; other resources usage; security; speed; stability; user experience
Cons
It's not free.
Summary
Not very different from Vista - which is actually a good thing for anyone unbiased who 1) has actually tried Vista, 2) is able to think with their own brain, and 3) is not easily influenced by FUD.
This is basically Vista SP2. This is to Vista what SP2 was to XP.
SP2 fixed security in XP (Windows Firewall + Windows Security Center + general settings tweaking to make it generally more secure).
7 fixes compatibility (all drivers, software, and hardware [excluding kernel-hooking software like security software, obviously] that work in Vista + some that didn't now work in 7), performance (7 uses less resources than XP and Vista and is, thus, faster than XP and Vista), and usability (basically by allowing you to choose if and when to be notified by UAC and any other general alerts).
On top of this, it adds a new, vastly-improved taskbar that considerably saves time and boosts productivity.
Conclusion: IMO this is best OS ever released. By Microsoft or otherwise. Period.
