Choose between Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 8.1 Pro based on your needs.
Choose between Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 8.1 Pro based on your needs.
8.1 Windows 7 can feel less advanced compared to Windows 8.1, though Windows 10 is quite similar. The search bar and Cortana don't sit as well, which affects the overall feel. After using Windows 8.1 for a year and a half, some features missing in Windows 10 make it seem out of place, especially with the search bar. The charms bar is very useful, but it's sad that it was needed to perform actions that should be available in the start menu or window, like sleeping, restarting, or shutting down.
For those who made use of the start screen, it’s largely damaged, I concur. Most users opted for third-party tools to bypass it because the mouse and keyboard feel awkward (though I like touch interfaces), it should have been an option in the start screen or menu by default. Right now I’m running the latest updates, and the shift from metro to windowed apps feels strange, plus moving from the classic control panel and main settings to the metro style is quite poor. Still, it’s a noticeable downgrade—hard to say a well-developed OS could match this one.
I'm using w7 Ultimate mainly since version 8.1 causes some issues on my PC.
I favor the start menu with a mouse and keyboard since it keeps your desktop icons visible while allowing easy hiding to maintain a tidy workspace. It also simplifies arranging frequently used apps and pinning them instead of searching through folders.
You can set up a program named Fences that allows you to conceal your icons upon double-clicking the desktop. This improves the appearance and makes them removable. It also provides unobtrusive searching and fast shutdown functionality.
That's incorrect - Pro goes Pro and Ultimate goes Pro are distinct options. Home remains the same regardless of which option you choose. Regarding Ultimate, its impact on Windows performance is limited to a few specific features, which experts say are not fully understood.