Microsoft Windows
Windows Versions | Hardware Issues | Windows Experience Rating
Life-cycle of Support | Customizing & Tweaking | Security & Patches
Windows Support Resources | Learning More
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 Vista introduced the transparency of Windows Aero with larger icons and was a significant step towards better security in Windows which was refined in Windows 7 along with new productivity features. Both are a result of more powerful hardware displaying on larger flat screen monitors. Unfortunately, both releases include crippled versions (Vista Basic and Windows 7 Starter Edition) which enable them to run on older hardware, but lacked ease of use and suffered from poor performance.
Windows Versions
Windows comes in several versions, usually separated by chronological release date. Starting with Windows XP there were also different flavours (called editions) aimed at various users.
Current Windows Versions
The versions of Windows currently available (links go to separate pages with more detail about that version) are:
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
- Windows 2003 server and Windows 2008 server are aimed primarily at the big business market.
Future Windows Versions
The first looks at Windows 8 demonstrate the first major shift in the Windows platform we've seen since Windows 5 was released. Remember, this is an advance model that is probably a year away from consumer availability and there is still uncertainty about what it will or will not be there.
The first thing you'll notice, though, is the colourful graphics and sort of experience we've become used to on our smart phones and touch pads. From a developer's perspective, the use of HTML 5 and JavaScript (the programs used to build websites) could potentially open Windows 8 programing to more people. How much a company like Microsoft (which has closed much of its programming) will actually make their operating system available to the same sort of opportunities currently enjoyed with open source is yet to be seen.
- Windows 8 might turn off longtime fans
- Windows 8: The 10 biggest problems so far is based upon the issues in the Windows 8 Developer Preview (an early pre-release version).
Legacy Windows Versions
Legacy versions of Windows are obsolete because they are no longer supported (and therefore more vulnerable).
These include Windows NT and Windows 2000 (were aimed primarily at a business market) as well as Windows 95, 98 and Me — sometimes collectively referred to as Windows 9x — (were aimed primarily at the home user).
Hardware
New Hardware Performs Better
Each generation of Windows is more demanding of hardware than previously so recent hardware is generally going to outperform older (particularly legacy) hardware. Here's some of the reasons why:
- Most recent computers are capable of running 64-bit versions of Windows (or other operating systems) which are capable of addressing vastly larger amounts of RAM, limiting the need for the Windows to store volatile information on the hard drive rather than in RAM.
- Many systems now run dual- or quad-processors. These provide faster computing without huge increases in heat (a huge problem particularly in laptops).
- Newer hardware is much more energy efficient in spite of increased performance.
- Display adapters have become much more powerful and capable of running much larger displays in brilliant colour — even modern digital TVs.
- Newer DDR3 RAM is more efficient and less expensive than legacy models.
Flat screen displays have largely replaced CRT (tube) monitors except for CRTs larger than 21 inches because:
- flat screen monitors have dropped drastically in price;
- the wide screen provides much more desktop real estate, particularly when gaming or watching videos (although this does not favour editing large word processing documents); and
- LCDs only change pixels when needed, so they are easier on the user's eyes than the old CRT monitors.
The Future? We're using the tablet format that we've become used to on our iPads and smart phones
32- or 64-bit?
Both current hardware and software is broken into 32- and 64-bit classes (older 4-, 8- and 16-bit classes are obsolete). The larger number of bits allows more information to be simultaneously transferred.
If you run 64-bit software, you'll need to be sure your hardware is 64-bit and you'll notice that there are some programs that no longer run in the 64-bit environment such as 32-bit programs that were built for Windows 98 or earlier. More importantly, not all hardware has 64-bit drivers and many older devices won't run in 64-bit environments at all.
64-bit Not Ready Fully Developed
While 64-bit hardware can address much more memory at a time, most software is not yet available in a 64-bit version.
For example, 64-bit Windows 7 comes with 32- and 64-bit versions of Internet Explorer (and you can download 64-bit versions of Firefox) but few of the plugins like Flash are available for 64-bit browsers (64-bit Java is an exception), limiting their practical use at this time.
As a result, few people will benefit from 64-bit hardware. However, the investment in future potential suggests that it will benefit you to purchase 64-bit hardware. As more people demand 64-bit software (and as Windows XP machines begin to be replaced) there should be much more software that takes advantage of this hardware.
64-bit Advantages
Generally, a 64-bit version of Windows has the following advantages:
- The main advantage of 64-bit hardware and software is the amount of memory it can manage. 32-bit systems cap out at 4 GB (effectively 3.5 GB) but 64-bit systems can see 128 GB (much more than is available at the present time). This is useful if you run multiple programs and switch between them frequently, particularly if the programs require large amounts of memory, like imaging programs.
- Increased program performance for programs that are written to take advantage of a 64-bit operating system. There are not a lot of these yet (because most users still run a 32-bit version of Windows, there is little incentive for most software vendors).
- Enhanced security features.
64-bit Disadvantages
The disadvantages include the following:
- 64-bit device drivers may not be available for one or more devices in your computer or connected to your computer (e.g. older USB scanners).
- Device drivers must be digitally signed.
- 32-bit device drivers are not supported.
- There are few 64-bit plugins for browsers, forcing you to use a 32-bit browser anyhow.
- 32-bit programs may not be fully compatible with a 64-bit operating system.
- It may be difficult to locate programs that are written specifically for a 64-bit operating system.
- Not all hardware devices may be compatible with a 64-bit version of Windows.
Learning More
The differences between 32- or 64-bit are slightly technical, but the following resources can help answer most of your questions:
- Microsoft's 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.
- Wikipedia's 64-bit article covers some of the more technical points.
- Catalogue of 64-bit software lists only 64-bit native applications (not 32-bit software that will run on 64-bit systems).
Windows Experience Rating
Beginning with Windows Vista, Microsoft has provided a tool to assess the hardware on a Windows computer. Various hardware elements are measured and rated (higher is better).
| Component: | What's Rated: |
|---|---|
| Processor: | Calculations per second |
| Memory (RAM): | Memory operations per second |
| Graphics: | Desktop performance for Windows Aero |
| Gaming graphics: | 3D business and gaming graphics performance |
| Primary hard disk: | Disk data transfer rate |
The account of my personal experience with Windows 7 lists two real-world examples of the Windows Experience Rating system.
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:
Checking Gaming Hardware Capability
You can run a quick check of your hardware to see if you meet the system requirements.
- Can your computer run that game? is a free service that automatically analyzes your computer and discovers if you can run a specific product.
Windows Life-cycle of Support
Microsoft has a stated support life-cycle policy which means they will cease to support a particular version of Windows or Internet Explorer within a predictable time period after its release.
Generally Microsoft policy provides for a minimum of 10 years support for business products (5 years of mainstream support and 5 years of extended support) whereas consumer products don't have extended support available so are limited to 5 years.
Windows XP an Exception
Windows XP proved to be an exception in that both Home and Professional versions seem to have been deemed to have the same lifespan (exact end-of-support dates can sometimes be a moving target).
| Windows Version: | Mainstream Support:* | Extended Support:* |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 95, 98, Millennium Edition, NT & 2000 | Expired | Expired |
| Windows XP Home Edition | April 14, 2009 | April 8, 2014 |
| Windows XP Professional | April 14, 2009 | April 8, 2014 |
| Windows Vista Basic, Premium, Ultimate | April 10, 2012 | Operating systems designed for consumers do not have an Extended phase |
| Windows Vista Business | April 10, 2012 | April 11, 2017 |
| Windows 7 Starter, Premium, Ultimate | Undetermined | Operating systems designed for consumers do not have an Extended phase |
| Windows Vista Business | Undetermined | Undetermined |
*Support terminology as defined by Microsoft:
- Mainstream Support: The period of availability for standard support offerings (e.g., no-charge incident support, paid incident support, support charged on an hourly basis, support for warranty claims, hotfix support, and online self-help support information).
- Extended Support: An extended period of assisted support, which may be charged on an hourly basis and can include hotfix support. Microsoft will not accept requests for warranty support, design changes, or new features during the extended phase.
- Service Pack Support: Microsoft extends support for operating system service packs for approximately 24 months from release. If no new service packs are released, the product is generally considered obsolete.
Customizing Windows
A number of the resources have been moved to the Windows XP page as they either don't apply to more recent versions of Windows or are inaccurate for those versions (written before their release).
Tweaking Settings
This involves changing the way Windows does certain tasks such as not placing the annoying "shortcut to" text in the name of new shortcuts. You can tell a shortcut by the little arrow placed on the icon (and you can remove that arrow as well).
- Annoyances.org — Customizing Windows discusses specific changes to your Windows system.
Windows Registry
Windows registry is a very complex file where Windows and programs keep track of preferences, settings and other information. Always take care when editing the registry (and back it up before making changes) because incorrect entries can make Windows unbootable or stop programs from working.
Changing the Look
These changes are more visual than functional, although many can add or enhance features already found in Windows, particularly in the newer versions. Customization can run from changing the default icons, colour schemes and wallpaper to fully redesigning the look of Windows.
- Windows Customization: A Primer discusses customizing Windows including skins, themes and alternative desktop shells.
- Window Blinds (US$19.95) permits you to "skin" Windows XP (change the way it looks). Part of the Object Desktop (US$49.95) extension suite of productivity enhancements that allow users to transform Windows to look, feel and function as they want. Highly recommended.
- WinCustomize (US$19.95) has hundreds of skins, themes and icons for changing the look of your Windows. (Also included with Object Desktop.)
- Apogee Icon Suite (US$9.95) Over 120 unique icons from renowned designer Mormegil! [Requires IconPackager 4 (US$19.95 or available as part of 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 addons 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.
Windows Support Resources
Significant Microsoft Sites
- Microsoft.com.
- Microsoft Help and Support has links to products and a searchable database of support articles.
- Microsoft's support life-cycle policy indicates when each version of Windows loses support from Microsoft.
- Install, reinstall, or uninstall Windows.
- Get the latest service pack for your version of Windows.
Other Windows Resource Sites
- Download.com archives Windows drivers, utilities and other software.
- XXCOPY is an enhanced version of the XCOPY command line utility and is available in 32-and 64-bit versions.
Learning More
For New Windows Users
Current Windows Versions
The following related pages offer information about specific versions of Windows currently in use:
General Windows Information
The following related pages offer general information about Windows:
- Windows Recovery Hints — Recovering Your Windows Installation
- Windows Backup — Options & Strategies
- Windows Security — Vulnerabilities in Windows
- Legacy (Unsupported) Windows
www.russharvey.bc.ca/resources/windows.html
Updated: February 6, 2012
