Windows 7 V Windows 8

[poisondwarf]

I am running Windows XP and want to upgrade. Should I go for Windows 7 or Windows 8? I am 77 years old!
Thank you

[twofeathers]

Dont know how computer savvy you are. But Ive just moved to 8.1 from windows 7. and was previously to that on xp im in my 70's but i have been working with computers pretty much from the beginning.(the days when you could calculate quicker by paper.than machine.)

I think it really all comes down to what you want from PC.

Bibblebub and Buenchico are pretty good with this stuff perhaps they may help you?

good luck poisondwarf

[Old_Geezer]

I think it personal choice. I liked XP, I tolerate Win 7, I simply hate the look of Win 8.

[ubasses]

The thing to think about is windows 7 will stop receiving support before 8.

[bibblebub]

With Windows 8, the start screen is a set of tiles that are simply shortcuts to your programs which, combined with the menu that pops up when you right-click at the bottom-left of the screen, means that you don't need a start menu button on the desktop. With 8.1 there is a setting to go avoid the start screen and go straight to the desktop at boot up, and in the update next month you won't even need to set that because having a touchscreen will be detected automatically.

Running a program in W8+ is no different to running it in XP and overall you should find that everything runs that bit quicker.

Some people are obsessed with having a start menu button on the desktop taskbar and if you are one of those then you should perhaps go for W7 although there are 3rd party programs that will give you one for W8+.

[jeffa]

Definitely Windows 8.1. Forget the nonsense of a start button - you don't need one.

[galeck1947]

If you have been using XP I would go with Windows 7 as you will find it much like what you have been used to. Windows 8 or 8.1 is a lot different and still has many issues .

[jeffa]

What issues does Windows 8.x have?

[Jeza]

I recently upgraded from XP to Win 7, it's driving me crazy. Though not that savvy I really am struggling.

[rosyposy]

I had XP on my old desktop and loved it, but bought a new laptop which had Windows 8 on it, which I hated, just couldn't get away with it at all. Luckily for me the new laptop was faulty so got a refund and bought another one which had W.7 on it. I found it quite like XP and got used to it pretty quickly -rosy

[AB Editor]

I would go for Windows 8 regardless of your age. You could go try one out in a store somewhere if you're really unsure.

[berniecuddles]

agree with Ab Editor

[Khandro]

I'm fond of XP and wondering how seriously difficult it would be to keep on with it after support is withdrawn.