While Microsoft seems to be doing everything it can to make us all upgrade our operating systems to Windows 11, is that really a good idea? Is Windows 11 really Microsoft’s best operating system simply because it’s the latest one released? Actually, what’s new is, in general, far from the best option possible, but does that principle also apply to the best operating system that Microsoft has to offer? We’ll try to find out in this article!
The first independent version of Windows came out in 1985. That was almost four decades ago, and it marked the beginning of an incredible tech journey for Microsoft. As for 2024, the majority of people out there who use a PC have a Windows operating system installed on them. That’s because operating systems such as Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 7 are a lot faster and more easy to use than Linux distributions, meaning the main competitors.
There has been a lot of debate among Microsoft users regarding which operating system is the best, so let’s cut to the chase:
Windows 10:
Windows 10 is the most popular version of the Windows operating system. There’s no wonder why, as users prefer it due to its features, a modern user interface, frequent updates with new features and security enhancements, as well as extensive compatibility with software and hardware. Windows 10 brings many improvements over its predecessors, including better performance, enhanced security features, as well as built-in support for virtual reality and 3D graphics.
Windows 7:
Despite reaching the end of support in January 2020, Windows 7 remains very popular among users because ot its stability, familiarity, as well as compatibility with older software and hardware. Windows 7 brought the iconic Aero user interface, improved taskbar functionality, as well as various other enhancements compared to its predecessor, Windows Vista, which was widely considered a disaster. However, it’s important to keep in mind that using an unsupported operating system such as Windows 7 can pose security risks because of the lack of security updates and patches.
Windows XP:
While outdated and no longer supported by Microsoft since 2014, Windows XP still holds nostalgic value for many users who grew up with it and appreciate its efficiency. Windows XP introduced several significant improvements compared to its predecessors, including a more user-friendly interface, better hardware compatibility, and better stability. However, XP is known for having security vulnerabilities and a lack of support, making it unsuitable for modern computing environments.
Windows 8/8.1:
Windows 8 brought a significant departure from the traditional Windows user interface with the introduction of the Metro UI and removal of the Start menu, which received mixed reactions from the public. Windows 8 was generally received pretty badly, but the 8.1 version brought some important perks. Windows 8.1 addressed some of the criticisms of its predecessor by reintroducing the Start button and making other usability improvements for the users to enjoy. Even so, Windows 8/8.1 struggled to gain widespread adoption due to its polarizing interface changes.
It’s obvious that the best Windows operating system for you depends on your specific needs and what you prefer from such software. In the case of most users, Windows 10 offers the best balance of performance, features, and compatibility with modern software and hardware, while Windows 11 brought some slight improvements such as the power to use Android apps directly on the PC. However, users with older systems or specific software requirements may still prefer older versions such as Windows 7, despite the lack of official support.
Tim M. Hill helped bring Digital-Overload from a weekly newsletter to a full-fledged news site by creating a new website and branding. He continues to assist in keeping the site responsive and well organized for the readers. As a writer to Digital-Overload, Tim mainly covers mobile news and gadgets.