Deciding whether to downgrade depends on your goals and constraints.
Deciding whether to downgrade depends on your goals and constraints.
You're weighing options between Windows 7 and a newer version. It's understandable to feel conflicted, especially since you enjoyed Windows 7 for its customization and smooth performance with certain games. The new Windows 10 setup is functional, but you're considering a return to Windows 7 for its familiarity and features like custom visuals and Aero effects. The update process for Windows 7 is still possible, though support has ended. If you're concerned about compatibility with your 8th-gen CPU and DX12 games, it's worth checking if the latest updates can still deliver a stable experience. The trade-off is between modern features and the comfort of a known system.
I had to adapt to using Windows 10, and it quickly became second nature. Removing all the unnecessary programs and swapping in third-party applications turns into a regular process after a few attempts, making the difference negligible. Windows 10 is also marketed as faster than Windows 7, though I’m not sure about that. If you’re thinking about Windows 7 because of concerns about Windows 10, they do the same on Windows 7 too, but they’ve acknowledged it now.
It could seem odd but my goal is to tweak the look a bit, not mimic Windows XP. I’ve changed the window style, added the start button and customized the icons like I did in W7. I’ve stripped out all but the media player, and after the latest update it keeps playing the same tracks repeatedly. I tried AIMP once, but it didn’t have the same features Groove Player offers.