Windows 7 has surpassed its predecessor - Windows Vista - in market share for the first time. We look at the five factors that are making Microsoft's new operating system a success.
Why Microsoft's new OS has been so successful
Microsoft's current versions of its web browser and operating system are proving to be very popular. According to Net Applications, Internet Explorer 8 gained more market share to continue dominating the browser market, while Windows 7 has surpassed its predecessor - Windows Vista - in market share for the first time. So, what exactly is driving the success of Windows 7?
We look at the five factors that are making the new operating system a success.
1. Management
With integrated support for PowerShell 2.0, Windows 7 provides a superior infrastructure for IT admins to be able to automate common tasks and manage the desktops more efficiently.
IT admins can create powerful scripts with PowerShell 2.0. PowerShell uses the Windows Management Interface (WMI), and can call command-line tools - making it a very versatile tool for IT admins.
2. Troubleshooting
For some IT admins, helping users troubleshoot problems takes up a significant amount of time and gets in the way of other tasks that might improve the network for everyone. Troubleshooting problems remotely can be a uniquely difficult task challenging the patience of both the user and the IT technician.
Windows 7 provides Troubleshooting Packs that enable users to conduct their own troubleshooting for many common issues. IT admins can also create custom Troubleshooting Packs for recurring issues or internal applications.
For remote troubleshooting, Windows 7 has the Problem Steps Recorder feature. The Problem Steps Recorder lets users record the screenshots illustrating - click-by-click - the steps they are performing that seem to be causing the problem. The ability to replay the exact problem scenario greatly enhances the ability of remote IT technicians to identify and resolve the issue.
3. Security
Windows XP - which is still by far the most used operating system - is far behind Windows 7 when it comes to security controls. Windows 7 has security controls - like ASLR (address space layout randomisation), DEP (data execution prevention), and UAC (user account control), and PMIE (Protected Mode IE) - that don't exist in Windows XP.
Windows 7 also has AppLocker which lets IT admins set policies restricting which applications or scripts are allowed to run on the PC. Controlling which software can run on the desktop provides better security, as well as simpler system management.
BitLocker and BitLocker to Go enable IT admins to ensure that sensitive data is protected with encryption, and it can be easily managed via Group Policy.
NEXT PAGE: It's not Vista
- Why Microsoft's new OS has been so successful
- It's not Vista
Comments
seeyouentee said: PC Advisor is so far up the corporations backside it hurts
Powlee said: The problem with recent Windows releases is that they have not improved things for the amateur home user Yes there are Home Editions but they are not simple and easy to understand for non-professionals XP iswas OK-ish Vista awful 7 too Vista-like but admittedly improved How can we go back to 95 or 2000 style which are much simpler to grasp and therefore easier to understand
Skidz said: normingI hear you 7 was a rip off and should of been a free upgrade from vista The similarities are too close to call it by another name really
norming said: Ive regretted ever getting WIN 7 because hardly anything works with it I cant listen to BBC radio I cant use my scanner nor my favourite image handler - iphotoplus Complete waste of money
Chuck Forbin said: Why dont you look at 7 factors that make Windows 7 a success
ballmerwhor said: Many of the other issues of Windows Vista though were actually misunderstood features that Microsoft allowed competitors like Apple to exploit in attacking Vista in marketingThats bullcrap Vista was slow buggy a resource hog an annoying constant scold Windows 7 is Vista improved good enough to get the job done