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Windows Resources

Windows Versions - Windows Hardware Requirements - Customizing & Tweaking Windows - Windows Security & Patches - Searching for Answers

New Windows User?

If you are new to Windows, you might want to have a look at the Windows Basics page to learn more about some of the terminology used on this site and others.

History

The first widely-used version of Windows was Windows 3.1, which was a DOS (command-line operating system) add-on. Windows 95 was next, beginning the move away from DOS into more and more sophisticated operating systems that were designed for easier use by ordinary folks. It gave us the Start button and most of the layout features that show up on the Windows we use today, although many of these have been greatly refined.

Windows Versions

Windows comes in various versions. Starting with Windows XP there were different flavours (called editions) aimed at various users. There are more details about the following versions below:

Windows NT and Windows 2000 (now obsolete) as well as Windows 2003 server and Windows 2008 server were aimed primarily at a business market. Windows 95, 98 and Me (sometimes referred to as Windows 9x) were aimed primarily at the home user but are now obsolete.

Windows 7

Release Date: October 22, 2009

Windows 7 is Windows Vista's successor. Windows 7 will be an incremental upgrade from Vista, fixing many annoyances and adding or changing features. The biggest thing I noticed was that Windows 7 is less demanding of hardware than Vista and much easier to use with fewer security alerts interrupting my work.

My Personal Experience with the Release Candidate

I was able to install Windows 7 Ultimate Release Candidate on a 3 GHz Celeron-based processor with only 512 MB of RAM (which I later upgraded to 2GB for improved performance). The biggest issue is the onboard video and an issue with the SiS 900-based internal network card which Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor insisted was incompatible but seems to work just fine.

As currently configured, the Windows Experience rating of 1.0 is limited only by the video card. Processor and RAM rated 3.9 and the Hard Drive 5.9 (graphics were 1.9; gaming graphics 1.0. With a new video card, the computer would perform reasonably well.

Windows 7 was designed for the fuller experience of a large LCD screen where the bigger and more detailed icons would enhance the experience. Since I didn't have an appropriate monitor hooked up (I was using a spare 15" LCD), it was difficult to assess this beyond my recognition for the need for a larger display.

Comparing Windows 7 Editions

There are four primary editions of Windows 7:

Hardware Requirements

See the general notes about Windows hardware requirements.

Learning More

Because Windows 7 is pre-release software, the final release may be different than what is currently anticipated. However, you can visit these sites for more information:

Windows Vista

Comparing Vista Editions

There are four editions of Vista:

View the CNET side-by-side comparison chart of Windows Vista editions.

“…there's nothing wrong with Windows Vista. But there's no one compelling feature within Windows Vista that cries out to switch over…. As for security, Microsoft's biggest improvements in Windows Vista are within the Enterprise or 64-bit editions, editions most home users will not be running.”
—CNET Reviews

Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions can be downgraded to Windows XP, but it's up to the vendor if and how they want to implement that option. See Windows Vista Downgrade Rights (PDF) for details.

Vista More Demanding of Hardware

Windows Vista is particularly demanding and few computers built before 2007 will run Vista satisfactorily without being significantly upgraded. Hardware requirements are generally much higher to perform the same functions as a comparable system running Windows XP.

Vista provides an advantage where you are using the 64-bit version with large amounts of memory (8 GB). 32-bit systems only provide a small amount of enhanced memory, making the advantages over XP, in this respect, minimal.

The most likely upgrades needed to satisfy Vista's demands include:

To give you an idea, most current XP machines are running on 512 MB or less of RAM (unless they've been updated since purchase) and most have video cards as small as 32 MB, usually 64 MB, but seldom over 128 MB. Under Vista, the video card is polled frequently, and Vista requires a more powerful video card.

You might also wish to consider a new larger, faster hard drive (SATA if your motherboard supports it). If you have a basic XP system, you're more likely to be satisfied only if you purchase a whole new computer.

Check Your Programs for Vista Compatibility

Many common programs are still not ready for Vista, particularly older programs and utilities, so your old favourites might not run. Be sure to check whether the Vista Upgrade Advisor lists programs as incompatible that are important to you. If so, you'll have to locate and purchase newer versions that are designed with Vista in mind.

Vista Service Pack 1

Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) offers "better compatibility with third-party hardware, increased reliability, tighter security, and better performance." However, the greatest benefits are aimed at Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions and some home users may even see a slight degradation in their computer's performance.

As with most service packs, Vista SP1 should be installed unless you have a compelling reason not to. Using Windows Update, only the necessary patches are downloaded and installed.

Don't Buy Vista “Basic”

In my opinion, Vista Basic was a sell-out to hardware vendors with computers lacking the capacity to run Vista. I recommend looking at alternatives to Vista if your computer cannot handle the requirements for Vista Home or better.

Windows XP

Windows XP has been very successful and for good reason. It proved very reliable and had resolved many of the problems that people experienced with earlier versions of Windows. It came in two editions, XP Home and XP Professional, the primary differences being negligible for most users.

Microsoft's Windows XP came initially only in the first two editions, but others were added later:

Windows XP continues to provide an excellent platform for most Windows users. If you are running older hardware, you'd be better purchasing a new computer designed for the new Windows (but don't get caught with crippled solutions like Windows Vista Basic).

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Hardware Requirements

Today's Windows software is more demanding of hardware than previously, so you might want to ensure that you can run a particular program. Newer hardware is generally going to give you a better opportunity to outperform older (particularly legacy) hardware. Here's some of the reasons why:

As a result, I don't generally recommend installing a new operating system on an old computer. You'll also want to be aware of the challenges of running newer software titles (particularly games and other programs more demanding of the graphics processor) on older equipment.

Check for Recommended Requirements

Most programs tell you what is required to run them. Ensure that you have the recommended capability rather than the minimum requirements to ensure that you can run the program as intended and to avoid frustration with slow responding programs.

Speeding Up Windows

The quickest way to speed up Windows is to add more RAM and to control the number of unnecessary functions starting with Windows, particularly those showing in the taskbar to the right near the clock. Almost every program now is configured to start with Windows but this can be altered in the options for each program.

These articles and utilities can help to speed up your Windows:

CCleaner - Freeware Windows Optimization

Checking Gaming Hardware Capability

You can run a quick check of your hardware to see if you meet the system requirements.

Customizing Windows

Tweaking Settings

This involves changing the way Windows does certain tasks, such as not placing the "shortcut to" in the name of new shortcuts (you can tell a shortcut by the little arrow placed on the icon—although you can remove that as well, if you like).

Broadband and Networking Tweaks

Windows Registry

Command Line Resources

Changing the Look

These changes are more visual than functional, although many can add or enhance features already found in Windows. XP is much easier to customize than earlier versions (see the first article, below) and provides some of this capability natively. Customization can run from changing the default icons, colour schemes and wallpaper to fully redesigning the look of Windows.

Object Desktop

As you might have noticed, Object Desktop (US$49.95) is probably the best route to take as it provides a whole set of tools and add-ons to customize your Windows. It gives you a one-year subscription with all the updates for that year being free (after which you get to keep whatever is installed), and provides for a discount on other packages such as the Toon-XP [with Object Desktop Discount] (US$7.95—regularly US$8.95).

I've owned Object Desktop for a number of years and find many of the features valuable additions. Strongly recommended for those with a desire to customize their desktop's look and feel. Object Desktop provides an extremely customizable and powerful tool set to accomplish pretty much anything you want to change both the looks but also underlying functionality in Windows.

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Security

Windows is not known for its inherent security. You'd be doing yourself (and your privacy and the safety of your data) a favour by learning more about the vulnerabilities and what you can do.

In the same way that locking car doors, keyed ignitions and seat belts are necessary, security is an annoyance that provides benefits to your piece of mind.

Windows XP Security

Windows XP is still used by most people. These tools and resources are recommended

Other Bugs and Patches

Daylight Savings Time Changes

Beginning in 2007, many countries (including Canada and the U.S.) have changed the dates for Daylight Savings Time to start 3 weeks earlier in the spring and end one week later in the fall.

Microsoft's Daylight Savings Time Resources

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Searching for Answers

Significant Microsoft Sites

Other Windows Resource Sites

If you don't find what you want, try Google's specialized Windows search tool:

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www.russharvey.bc.ca/resources/windows.html
Updated: October 26, 2009