Windows 7 has been broadly backed by PC Advisor readers, with nearly 15 percent having already installed the public beta, and 8 percent planning to upgrade as soon as the OS is released, according to our recent survey.
That means a quarter of PC Advisor readers are already using Windows 7, or plan to use it at the earliest opportunity. A further 13 percent said they intended to purchase a Windows 7 desktop PC or laptop the next time they buy a computer.
These are promising statistics for Microsoft as the company attempts to repair Windows' tarnished reputation. The software giant's current desktop OS - Windows Vista - has been heavily criticised since its launch two years ago. Microsoft has failed to shake off Vista's reputation as a bloated and slow OS, with many users regarding it as a downgrade from its predecessor - Windows XP.
The results of our poll, which received over 2,500 votes, show that Vista is still considered the poor cousin of the 8-year-old Windows XP. Just 22 percent said Windows Vista would be their next operating system, while 37 percent pledged to stick with XP 'for as long as possible'.
Windows 7 user reviews
The survey results are likely to have been influenced by Windows 7's positive early reviews, both by technology publications and end users.
While, as expected, some users have experienced teething problems with the beta, the general consensus among contributors to our Windows 7 forum is that the OS is a step forward. A number of users have reported faster boot times, and the tweaked interface has been generally well received.
"If people take the time to have a look about it will be a pleasant experience," said PC Advisor forum member 'anskyber'.
'Iambeavis' agreed: "You can add me to the list of admirers. Much as I liked XP, I like Windows 7 even more. I'm a convert - no doubt about it."
However, a number of users said Windows 7 needed to be a more significant upgrade to force them to switch from the popular Windows XP.
"I think Microsoft's problem is still going to be: ‘Why should I downgrade from XP?'," said 'hawthorn123'.
Windows 7's lack of a killer feature was pointed out by other users too.
"I won't be upgrading from XP Pro, there isn't anything in here I can't already do," said 'Rob_08'. "If there was a 'must have' feel to it, or a 'I gotta have that' about it, I would. But there isn't."
In terms of compatibility with third-party applications, Windows 7 seems to perform well. The major stumbling block appears to be antivirus software - a number of apps aren't working nicely with the beta, but Microsoft recommends tools from Symantec, AVG and Kaspersky on its official blog.
Kaspersky Antivirus 8.0 for Windows 7
Windows 7 public beta extended
The free public Windows 7 beta will now be available until February 10, after Microsoft cancelled plans to remove it from the Windows 7 download site at the weekend.
You now have until February 10 to start the download, but downloads have until February 12 to be completed, according to a Microsoft blog post. No one will be able to begin downloading the Windows 7 beta after February 10.
Microsoft made the first beta of Windows 7 available to the general public on January 10, a day later than planned because interest in the beta crashed its website.
For more, see our Windows 7 review and discuss the public beta in our Windows 7 forum.
Comments
Mark said: Im using Windows 7 beta at the moment I like many features and hate many features Personally Im still a fan of XP Windows 7 seems to use less resources than Vista but on my PC takes longer to load I feel Windows should package free programs like Paintnet and notepad to replace their own paint and notepad They have upgraded Paint but honestly in all fairness it is a total failure So soon as I erase this beta I may revert back to XP
Dragon said: Id go back to XP like a shot if I knew howLast year I had a choice Completely revamp my old XP Home PC with or buy a new one She was a nice PC but thanks to advancing years was getting a bit slow like this great GrandmaThe Vista Home Basic PC was the worst mistake I ever made It is slower than the old one despite having a faster processor It takes longer to boot up and shut down It freezes frequently and is the most unstable of all the OS I have used in the past 8 years I contacted the manufacturer to check if it was OK to to uninstal Vista and instal XP 1st I was informed it would invalidate my guarantee and 2nd I was told you need a special disk to install XP and they werent being issued to peasantsId have happily paid for a revamped XP Mark 2 minus the leaks rather than had Vista which has Bells and Whistles I will never need
Orfor said: An answer to a question thats asked by hapless Vista users thats all that Windows 7 isBut XP users havent bombarded Microsoft with requests to fix this fix that or fer-Gawds-sake-do-something-about-this-bloody-awful-OSHello and goodbye Windows 7Long live XP
incony said: i cant even open the beta its an iso and MS assumes i have the method to open a file it sent me MS cant open a file it created on my pc
Skidz said: bigpaul XP will never be broke mate its a stable fast operating system that still surprises me 8 years down the line
big_paul said: Yes I have Windows XP on some PCs amp will stick with it Unfortunately my laptops are stuck with Vista So if I have to pay for something to get rid of the CRP Windows 7 looks ideal It boots quickly though it has some quirks but these can be resolved I am certainly a covert but I wont rush to install it on my older machines because XP is not broke yetpaul
Peter said: I am just real annoyed that MS didnt put the effort into getting Vista right or alternatively make WIdows 7 an uppgrade to Vista
Babou said: I didnt answer the survey because there wasnt a tick box for Im sticking with Vista because its running OK and the PCA monitor says my computer isnt good enough for W7 and anyway Ive had my fill of Greedy Gatess upgradesIm with Refuse Nick - no upgrade for me unless I get a new computer and that wont be any time soon
David said: Refuse Nick and Tony hate to disappoint you but Windows 7 isnt suppose to have any killer apps just make those everyday tasks that were confusing to use in Vista easier in Windows 7Features such as boot and shutdown times copying of files Performance gains and of course being less annoyingie UAC Dialog boxes have been dramatically improved with the betaNow mind you this is only a beta and time will tell weather this remains true when people start to fill their machines with all their software but at the moment it looks very encouraging indeedAnd one last thing eveyones reliance on finding this so called killer app I believe blinds them to the reality that the the little things that have been tweaked in windows 7 combine to be in actual fact the killer appA fast responsive non burdening non resource hogging operating system that works with you and not against you
Tony said: PCA hopefully you get a grip on reality this time round pleaseYou quote - If people take the time to have a look about it will be a pleasant experience said PC Advisor forum member anskyberLook back over his last 2 years of postings and you will see that anskyber continually sounded off at anyone especially the happy XP users that dared to criticised his beloved and purring VistaGranted he does a fine job as the Vista and now the Ws7 Googleman but lets not fall into the Vista trap and let amateurs promote shoddy or beta goods especially in a recession to the vulnerable and sometimes gullible public Many will say that they want W7 now but thats because it is presently free So I echo Refuse Nicks word - Wait until after its available before getting so excited
Refuse Nick said: I cant see a reason ill ever upgrade to vista or 7 unless i buy a new computer There are no killer features in windows now why pay the extra for the bells and whistles Windows 7 hype is the same as the vista hype before that was on sale Wait until after its available before getting so excited