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The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 21st 18, 02:49 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Bill in Co
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Posts: 1,927
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

So I'm just getting started on trying out Windows 7, although I still prefer
Windows XP. I was just curious what any others might have felt about their
transition (besides the usual comments of XP is not supported anymore, etc,
etc).

For me, I had to install Classic Shell to help me get around in Windows 7,
as the original configuration (to me) leaves much to be desired, including a
pretty confusing Control Panel! Even now I still find it harder to get to
things, such as System Restore, for example. In XP, you simply clicked on
System Restore, and ALL options were there ("restore" OR "create an image"
OR "change the restore settings"). Not so with Windows 7.

Another example: right mouse click on the Desktop in XP, and everything
related is right there for configuration; not so in Windows 7. It just
seems like you have to go thru more hoops to get to anything you want to
configure, or even get to the desired application in the first place.

Want to change the file associations? Where is it? Well, I found it by
using that search box - that's the only way I could find where its hiding
(or many things, for that matter). In Win XP, in Windows Explorer, you
simply clicked on the folder options column, and went to file types.

Is it my imagination, or is a bit less intuitive than Win XP or Win9x, for
that matter?


Ads
  #2  
Old August 21st 18, 03:23 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Ant[_2_]
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Posts: 554
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

Bill in Co wrote:
So I'm just getting started on trying out Windows 7, although I still prefer
Windows XP. I was just curious what any others might have felt about their
transition (besides the usual comments of XP is not supported anymore, etc,
etc).


For me, I had to install Classic Shell to help me get around in Windows 7,
as the original configuration (to me) leaves much to be desired, including a
pretty confusing Control Panel! Even now I still find it harder to get to
things, such as System Restore, for example. In XP, you simply clicked on
System Restore, and ALL options were there ("restore" OR "create an image"
OR "change the restore settings"). Not so with Windows 7.


Another example: right mouse click on the Desktop in XP, and everything
related is right there for configuration; not so in Windows 7. It just
seems like you have to go thru more hoops to get to anything you want to
configure, or even get to the desired application in the first place.


Want to change the file associations? Where is it? Well, I found it by
using that search box - that's the only way I could find where its hiding
(or many things, for that matter). In Win XP, in Windows Explorer, you
simply clicked on the folder options column, and went to file types.


Is it my imagination, or is a bit less intuitive than Win XP or Win9x, for
that matter?


I agree, but W8 and W10 are even worse so look out.
--
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( )
  #3  
Old August 21st 18, 03:30 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Big Al[_5_]
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Posts: 1,588
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On 08/20/2018 09:49 PM, Bill in Co wrote:
So I'm just getting started on trying out Windows 7, although I still prefer
Windows XP. I was just curious what any others might have felt about their
transition (besides the usual comments of XP is not supported anymore, etc,
etc).

For me, I had to install Classic Shell to help me get around in Windows 7,
as the original configuration (to me) leaves much to be desired, including a
pretty confusing Control Panel! Even now I still find it harder to get to
things, such as System Restore, for example. In XP, you simply clicked on
System Restore, and ALL options were there ("restore" OR "create an image"
OR "change the restore settings"). Not so with Windows 7.

Another example: right mouse click on the Desktop in XP, and everything
related is right there for configuration; not so in Windows 7. It just
seems like you have to go thru more hoops to get to anything you want to
configure, or even get to the desired application in the first place.

Want to change the file associations? Where is it? Well, I found it by
using that search box - that's the only way I could find where its hiding
(or many things, for that matter). In Win XP, in Windows Explorer, you
simply clicked on the folder options column, and went to file types.

Is it my imagination, or is a bit less intuitive than Win XP or Win9x, for
that matter?


Not to diminish you issues, but load Windows 10 and you'll never find
anything then. You think control panel is bad in Windows 7, Win 10 has
both (even though they are trying to phase out the old control panel).

I think your problems are more the typical "change" issue. Nobody likes
change but after a while you'll be flying around 7. Same has happened
to me with Win 10. I saw the preview releases and as techie as I am, I
couldn't get it working and hated it and told my friends I would never
ever run Win 10. Well, I am running it now, and don't really like 7
that much other than the data gathering scare in Win 10. And I'm now
on Linux and that took me a lot of complaining too about 'where are
things, and it's so jumbled', but after 3 years, I love it and only boot
Win 10 about 4 hours a month.

IMHO it just takes time.

PS, I found two cute tools I've been using on windows 10 to wrangle the
open with issues.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file_types_manager.html
and
http://defaultprogramseditor.com/

The latter program will let you write the change to a .reg file or save
to the registry. I like saving to a .reg file so IF I reload all I
need to do is click on a bunch of .reg files (or merge them into one)
and my changes are back.

Have fun!

  #4  
Old August 21st 18, 03:31 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Big Al[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,588
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On 08/20/2018 10:30 PM, Big Al wrote:
Win 10 has both

That should have been "win 10 has two". They have the control panel
and a settings app. Can't make up their minds. LOL
  #5  
Old August 21st 18, 03:38 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

Ant wrote:
Bill in Co wrote:
So I'm just getting started on trying out Windows 7, although I still prefer
Windows XP. I was just curious what any others might have felt about their
transition (besides the usual comments of XP is not supported anymore, etc,
etc).


For me, I had to install Classic Shell to help me get around in Windows 7,
as the original configuration (to me) leaves much to be desired, including a
pretty confusing Control Panel! Even now I still find it harder to get to
things, such as System Restore, for example. In XP, you simply clicked on
System Restore, and ALL options were there ("restore" OR "create an image"
OR "change the restore settings"). Not so with Windows 7.


Another example: right mouse click on the Desktop in XP, and everything
related is right there for configuration; not so in Windows 7. It just
seems like you have to go thru more hoops to get to anything you want to
configure, or even get to the desired application in the first place.


Want to change the file associations? Where is it? Well, I found it by
using that search box - that's the only way I could find where its hiding
(or many things, for that matter). In Win XP, in Windows Explorer, you
simply clicked on the folder options column, and went to file types.


Is it my imagination, or is a bit less intuitive than Win XP or Win9x, for
that matter?


I agree, but W8 and W10 are even worse so look out.


The right-click Start menu is better in W8 and W10.
W7 requires more typing for "instant access".

W7 has GDIgrab running at up to 60FPS. W8/W10
are only 30FPS. W7 allows turning off Aero. W7
has the best performance in benchmarks, but by a
very small percentage (a claim only worthwhile
for bar bets). W7 doesn't support all processors,
but that's a Microsoft policy, not a fault of
the design as such. Expect a few issues with
your Coffee Lake. A Skylake is more W7's speed.

Paul
  #6  
Old August 21st 18, 05:10 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
pyotr filipivich
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 752
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

"Bill in Co" on Mon, 20 Aug 2018
19:49:38 -0600 typed in alt.windows7.general the following:
So I'm just getting started on trying out Windows 7, although I still prefer
Windows XP. I was just curious what any others might have felt about their
transition (besides the usual comments of XP is not supported anymore, etc,
etc).

For me, I had to install Classic Shell to help me get around in Windows 7,
as the original configuration (to me) leaves much to be desired, including a
pretty confusing Control Panel! Even now I still find it harder to get to
things, such as System Restore, for example. In XP, you simply clicked on
System Restore, and ALL options were there ("restore" OR "create an image"
OR "change the restore settings"). Not so with Windows 7.

Another example: right mouse click on the Desktop in XP, and everything
related is right there for configuration; not so in Windows 7. It just
seems like you have to go thru more hoops to get to anything you want to
configure, or even get to the desired application in the first place.

Want to change the file associations? Where is it? Well, I found it by
using that search box - that's the only way I could find where its hiding
(or many things, for that matter). In Win XP, in Windows Explorer, you
simply clicked on the folder options column, and went to file types.

Is it my imagination, or is a bit less intuitive than Win XP or Win9x, for
that matter?


Not your imagination.

Windows has always suffered from "Hey, wouldn't this be neat?"
syndrome as computer geeks "improve" things. Never mind the millions
of users who are not enamored of all the latest web design fads, etc,
etc; the Programmers really know what the users want. They don't,
but that's because we want to use the computer to do _our_ work, not
work on the computer _as_ our work.

Granted, I did not have the month or so to explore/play with
Windows 7 before I had to use it. And I had to make several kludges
to get to where I needed to be, and I've not really seen a means to
"start from scratch". So, I'm stuck with the shortcuts, links,
directories on the desktop, and other related kludges in order to get
what I want done, done.

--
pyotr filipivich
Next month's Panel: Graft - Boon or blessing?
  #7  
Old August 21st 18, 02:14 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mayayana
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,438
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

"Bill in Co" wrote

| So I'm just getting started on trying out Windows 7, although I still
prefer
| Windows XP. I was just curious what any others might have felt about their
| transition (besides the usual comments of XP is not supported anymore,
etc,
| etc).
|

I spent about 2 weeks working with 7 when it came
out. My final decision was that it's salvageable if
necessary, but not preferable. This represents part
of what I came away with -- writing various
utilities to make it more usable:

https://www.jsware.net/jsware/nt6fix.php5

I find that if I turn off UAC and get rid of the
ridiculous, wasteful, Aero display, it's not too bad.
But there's still a lot of frivolous interruption and
limitations. For instance, I still haven't managed
to disable all popups when I put in a USB stick.
With XP it does what I want and no more. With 7
it mostly does what I want but it yaps like a
neurotic puppy, which is distracting.

I also don't like it as well for backup. 7 imposes
the whole install disk and then collects any drivers
and libraries it can get its hands on. It can grow
very big. XP can live fine on 5 GB, with the actual
system taking about 1 GB. 7 takes 7-9 GB to start
and then grows like a tumor. It needs a minimum
of 60 GB, with most of that wasted. It's also very
brittle. If you try to curb that behavior it will break.

Another aspect of 7 is that it continues the
general trend toward limiting customization. And
8, of course, is worse again. I installed a shell
tweaker when working with Win8. With 7 I just
switch to "Classic" view.

All in all, I don't really dislike 7, but I do think it's
overproduced and bloated. It's sort of like saying,
"Yes, I like my new car, but there are a few things
I'm not wild about. For instance, sometimes it
won't let me turn right and I wish I didn't have to
buy it with an attached trailer full of junk that
won't come off. But other than that, it's nice."

Then there are the file restrictions. Some people
like that. For me it's not relevant and only
represents Microsoft's increasing lockdown of
the system. I think it's a good idea as an option.
I just don't think it should be impossible to turn off.
You can turn it off if you only use the official
Administrator account, but aside from that, it
can be limiting and maddening. And it has very
real limitations, even with UAC turned down.
For instance, I like to keep a number of vbscripts
on my desktop for various things. Most of them
are drag/drop. But in 7 you sometimes have to
"run as admin" and you can't do that in a file drop
operation.


  #8  
Old August 21st 18, 02:22 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mayayana
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,438
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

wrote

| Almost none of the programs I use all day long on XP will work on Win
| 7.

I'm surprised at that. I have a shell extension that
won't work on Win7-64, but that's not Win7's fault.
It's a 32-bit shell extension.
Aside from that, I can't think of anything that
doesn't work. Though to be honest I don't use 7 much.

I installed Win7-64 on a dual boot for my ladyfriend
because she works with large photos and I thought
she'd appreciate the extra RAM. All the graphics
software was fine on 7. But she doesn't like it. So,
for now, we're both still on XP.


  #9  
Old August 21st 18, 03:34 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mark Lloyd[_2_]
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Posts: 1,756
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On 08/20/2018 08:49 PM, Bill in Co wrote:

[snip]


Is it my imagination, or is a bit less intuitive than Win XP or Win9x, for
that matter?


It seems that with every version of Windows this century, M$ gets better
at hiding the parts of Windows you actually use.

Old Windows ads used the word "intuitive" a lot, when there was a chance
of users believing it.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Religion: just say `no'." [Tim Smith]
  #10  
Old August 21st 18, 03:51 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mr. Man-wai Chang
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Posts: 1,941
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On 8/21/2018 9:49 AM, Bill in Co wrote:
...
Is it my imagination, or is a bit less intuitive than Win XP or Win9x, for
that matter?


I supposed those features you were using in WinXP were considered not
frequently needed by most. So Micro$oft moved them in Win 7 to keep the
interface simple and less crowded. I surely agree that habits die hard...

--
@~@ Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch! Live long and prosper!!
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty!
/( _ )\ May the Force and farces be with you!
^ ^ (x86_64 Ubuntu 9.10) Linux 2.6.39.3
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  #11  
Old August 21st 18, 03:53 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Mr. Man-wai Chang
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Posts: 1,941
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On 8/21/2018 9:49 AM, Bill in Co wrote:

Want to change the file associations? Where is it? Well, I found it by
using that search box - that's the only way I could find where its hiding
(or many things, for that matter). In Win XP, in Windows Explorer, you
simply clicked on the folder options column, and went to file types.


A better way to do that is to use the Open With option in the context menu!

Hold Shift in the keyword then Right Click the file!

--
@~@ Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch! Live long and prosper!!
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty!
/( _ )\ May the Force and farces be with you!
^ ^ (x86_64 Ubuntu 9.10) Linux 2.6.39.3
不借貸! 不詐騙! 不*錢! 不援交! 不打交! 不打劫! 不自殺! 不求神! 請考慮綜援
(CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_...sub_addressesa
  #12  
Old August 21st 18, 03:59 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Big Al[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,588
Default OT: Your web site clock is off

On 08/21/2018 10:34 AM, Mark Lloyd wrote:

--
Mark*Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/


You've got a oops in your clock algorithm. I'm in Baltimore and your
clock shows chicago. The first two hops on traceroute are BALT routers.

Just FYI.
  #13  
Old August 21st 18, 04:20 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
John B. Smith
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 47
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On Tue, 21 Aug 2018 09:34:12 -0500, Mark Lloyd
wrote:
snip


It's always been my contention that Microsoft craps up the user
interface on any new Windows just to convince us boneheads we got a
NEW operating system.
I finally bit the bullet and got Win7 when the Google Chrome browser
started issuing dire warnings about it wouldn't update any longer if
my OS was XP. I kinda need that browser to communicate with my
workplace email. I used Microsoft's dual-boot freebie to boot both XP
and Win7. It gave me an excuse to buy two big replacement hard drives
to house them. (one for the OSs and a data drive)
I'm still using XP mostly because software I want doesn't work in
Win7. And because, as everyone is saying, there's a learning curve to
using any new Windows. I don't enjoy the fight.
But... more and more stuff on the internet refuses to work in XP's
Firefox. I recently bought my first auto gps, I was astounded that
their software won't even work in XP! Seems like if they really wanted
sell the things they'd make their software compatible with everyone.
Garmin has their fingers in so much stuff they don't care much about
car gps's. I was glad I had Win7 available.
ANd I can never scratch my itch for a super fast solid-state drive
with XP in my mix.
No complaints about Windows System Restore cause when I discovered
image backup I never looked back. System Restore is turned off.

With 2 versions of Windows OS you'd think I'd be in the latest and
reverting to ancient XP only when I need to. Not so. I spend most of
my time in XP. At this point in time.
  #14  
Old August 21st 18, 06:28 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Char Jackson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,449
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On Tue, 21 Aug 2018 08:45:31 -0400, Wolf K wrote:

On 2018-08-21 02:38, wrote:
[...]
Get used to using the Search box. It's just about the only way to
find anything. [...]


Search box? What's that?

I don't really mean that, I do occasionally use Search. About once a month.


Just to clarify, it's not Windows Search, it's the little "Search
programs and files" box that's supposed to replace your use of a
cascading menu system. Two totally different things.

From W2K on, I never used "My Computer" and its successors, so I've
never had a problem finding what I wanted.

a) I don't have data on the system drive (C. I have two physical
drives, the second one for data only. I don't use programs that don't
allow customisation of Save location(s).


I use the Libraries function to put my data on a second drive. That way
every program knows how to save to my data drive, not just programs that
allow customization.

b) I create primary folders and subfolders to suit my notions of how
information should be classified. Works very well. A few clicks take
less time than waiting for Search to finish.


See above. I don't think the previous poster was talking about Windows
Search. The other similarly-named function, "Search programs and files",
is nearly instant, and provides results as you type.

c) Create desktop shortcuts as needed. Eg, to the most used data
folders. Saves a click or two.


I configured Explorer to open at the root of my data folders on the data
drive, so every time I open it I'm either right where I want to be or
very close. A couple of sub-folders are pinned to Explorer, and Explorer
itself is pinned to my taskbar. My desktop is clean.

%windir%\explorer.exe D:\

d) Applies to all systems: Add one or more external drives for backups,
and use a 3rd party backup utility to at least semi-automate backups. I
use Macrium, but there other good choices out there. Just ask for
opinions. :-)


No external drives for me. Been there, done that. I use networked
drives, with the network connections password-protected and toggled
on/off as needed.


--

Char Jackson
  #15  
Old August 21st 18, 07:38 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
No_Name
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2
Default The transition from Windows XP to Windows 7

On Mon, 20 Aug 2018 21:10:49 -0700, pyotr filipivich
wrote:

"Bill in Co" on Mon, 20 Aug 2018
19:49:38 -0600 typed in alt.windows7.general the following:


Windows has always suffered from "Hey, wouldn't this be neat?"
syndrome as computer geeks "improve" things. Never mind the millions
of users who are not enamored of all the latest web design fads, etc,
etc; the Programmers really know what the users want. They don't,
but that's because we want to use the computer to do _our_ work, not
work on the computer _as_ our work.


You hit the nail on the head. My biggest beef about all these hotshot
programmers is they think they have to put everything they know into a
program, and then screw it up more with updates containing everything
new they've learned since creating the earlier versions.

Good programmers creates intuitive programs. Bad programmers insist
on turning the average user into a tech geek because they aren't
creative enough to simplify the usage of a program. They themselves
are text book geeks. Their programming is technically pretentious and
perpetuates complexity. Programmers should keep the average user in
mind, not the geeks.

Granted, I did not have the month or so to explore/play with
Windows 7 before I had to use it. And I had to make several kludges
to get to where I needed to be, and I've not really seen a means to
"start from scratch". So, I'm stuck with the shortcuts, links,
directories on the desktop, and other related kludges in order to get
what I want done, done.


It's called *bad* programming.
 




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