Windows 7 vs Windows XP

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 27 Dec 2010 9:45 am

I'm about due for a new computer and am worried that some of my older programs won't work. Xp had a "compatibility mode" in properties that allowed you to run a program in a mode compatible with other versions of Windows. Does Windows 7 allow you to do this too? Overall, how does Windows 7 stack up to XP? Xp's always been a good operating system that worked great for me.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 27 Dec 2010 4:50 pm

What I have found, tho I didn't spend a lot of time.
An old Autocad program works fine in XP. It works in Vista, but will not work in Windows 7.
I believe 7 has taken away the properties for a program to work in 16 bit. I think there is a work around, like a dual boot or something. Too fancy for me. I'll stick with XP or at the most, Vista.

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 27 Dec 2010 8:26 pm

Andy:

You should go for it. It's far improved over XP and is what Vista should have been.

All you need is the "retail upgrade" version assuming you have a legal XP disc. You DON"T have to even have an XP drive connected in order to do the Win 7 install.

Don't get talked into a "full" version.

Do a "clean install" after backing up your stuff, email, and bookmarks.

If you are buying an entire PC with a new operating system, it probably will not include Windows disks. In that case, you should access the new PC's "recovery partition" (which it should have) and make a set of "recovery disks" as soon as possible.

Investigate whether your new PC will be 32-bit Windows 7 or 64-bit Windows 7. The former may be able to run a few old applications that the latter cannot. PC builders are moving away from 32-bit toward 64-bit.

You may be able to get 32-bit by finding another supplier or having a local or smaller firm build it for you. But outfits like Dell and HP may have gone totally 64-bit. You should inquire.

ALL, repeat ALL, versions of Windows 7 include "compatibility mode", which is specifically intended to allow you to run older programs.

It works in the vast majority of cases.

There is also something called "XP Mode", which is available ONLY only on Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate.

XP Mode is NOT the same as Compatibility Mode.

XP Mode is actually quite complex and involves extra downloads and something called "virtualization". You can google that or "Virtual PC" to get a whiff.

The short story is that virtualization is rarely needed by the average Joe and that even if you had it and used it, you probably would be unhappy with some aspects of it---graphics limitations, response time, RAM usage, etc.

So get Windows 7 Home Premium and use "compatibility mode" when you have to for your old apps.

If they will not run in "compatibility mode", get a replacement app or upgrade app. From what I hear, it works quite well and you shouldn't have to replace much, if anything.

Stan Schober · Post by **Stan Schober** » 27 Dec 2010 10:00 pm

I'll go the other route and say that unless you feel like you absolutely MUST have the latest of everything
(and that may include having to buy newer versions of some of your software), I'd stick with XP.

Ken, Dual booting is actually very easy.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 28 Dec 2010 3:07 am

You can't buy a new commercial PC with Windows XP. Microsoft discontinued it for new PC's back in October. All commercial PC vendors are using 64 bit OS, 32 bit is mostly a thing of the past on new PC's.

Most, if not all, your XP programs will work with Win 7 - either in the Win 7 native mode or in Compatibility mode. Win 7 is more "friendly" with older programs than Vista.

Avoid any PC's that have the Windows "Starter" version. You want at least the Home Premium version with the new PC. Win 7 Professional is usually an extra cost item.

Win 7 is doing well and even commercial companies that had XP and refused to upgrade to Vista are now upgrading to Win 7.

Gary Cosden · Post by **Gary Cosden** » 28 Dec 2010 4:38 am

Ken Lang mentioned that older versions of AutoCad are not supposed to work in Windows 7. I read several horror stories about this online but I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it. My AutoCad 2004 LT installed on my new laptop with Windows 7 Home Premium and actually runs a lot faster than on my XP laptop due to the fact that the new laptop has a lot more RAM and a better processor. After a few hours of doing CAD at least there have been zero issues. I was a concerned about going to Windows 7 for a lot of reasons but so far I have no regrets and see a lot of benifts.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 28 Dec 2010 7:01 am

Gary. I don't doubt that 2004 works on 7. The version I have is Acad 14 which came out in the days of Win 1998. It may work in the compatibility mode but only my wife has Win 7. I have XP AND Vista on my computers. Someday when I buy a new computer I'll have 7 or maybe 8 by then. I'll worry about it at that time.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 28 Dec 2010 8:59 am

Thanks guys, sounds like Windows 7 is gonna work then.