Windows 7

[Ex_Brit]

Originally Posted by Rich_Guy

Well I haven't had any experience with Windows 7 yet myself so I can't say for sure. However it does list that the complete computer backup is contained in the Professional and the Ultimate versions on Windows 7 versions comparison list on the Windows 7 site.

I know I really like the complete computer backup in the Vista Ultimate edition, it is probably the only thing I really miss on my Vista Home Premium versions that my Ultimate version has.

The article you linked does not get into the specific versions so I think that the article was mostly based on the lesser versions, but the article does mention that Windows 7 expanded on what Vista offered in "Windows Back Up and Restore".

Take a look at your Windows 7 Ultimate "Windows Back Up and Restore" and see what you find.

The Vista Ultimate version contains two types of backups, one which backs up files and one that completely backs up the entire computer, while the lesser versions only has the file back up.

You prompted me to boot into my Win 7 once again. I see that Windows Help & Support is expanding rapidly now that release is officially imminent.

The attached thumbnail should answer your question hopefully.

Edit: I see that this forum alters the size of attachments. So here goes copying and pasting:

Windows provides the following backup tools:


File backup
Windows Backup allows you to make copies of data files for all people that use the computer. You can let Windows choose what to back up or you can select the individual folders, libraries, and drives that you want to back up. By default, your backups are created on a regular schedule. You can change the schedule and you can manually create a backup at any time. Once you set up Windows Backup, Windows keeps track of the files and folders that are new or modified and adds them to your backup. To set up file backup, see Back up your files.

System image backup
Windows Backup provides you with the ability to create a system image, which is an exact image of a drive. A system image includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard drive or computer ever stops working. When you restore your computer from a system image, it is a complete restoration; you can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced. Although this type of backup includes your personal files, we recommend that you back up your files regularly using Windows Backup so that you can restore individual files and folders as needed. When you set up scheduled file backup, you can choose whether you want to include a system image. This system image only includes the drives required for Windows to run. You can manually create a system image if you want to include additional data drives.

Previous versions
Previous versions are copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saves as part of system protection. You can use previous versions to restore files or folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. Depending on the type of file or folder, you can open, save to a different location, or restore a previous version. Previous versions can be helpful, but should not be considered a backup because the files get replaced by new versions and will not be available if the drive were to fail. For more information, see Previous versions of files: frequently asked questions.

System Restore
System Restore helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos. System Restore uses a feature called system protection to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses. You can also create restore points manually. For more information about System Restore, see What is System Restore?

[Rich_Guy]

OK after looking further I think that all versions of Windows 7 will now have the complete computer backup.

But only Windows Professional and Ultimate can back up and save to a network connection. The other versions I believe will be capable of a complete backup but only save the Full Backup to another drive or to disk.

Quote from Windows 7 comparison site (for Professional an Ultimate):
"In addition to full-system Backup and Restore found in all editions, you can back up to a home or business network."

This makes me feel good as one of the Vista Home Premiums I have is going to be updated for free to Windows 7 Home Premium. I think after updating to Windows 7 it will have the complete backup I really appreciate on my Vista Ultimate edition.

Also it looks like the
"System image backup" is what they are now calling this backup, which can clone a complete hard drive (partitioned drives on the hard drive as well)

[mobiushky]

Originally Posted by Ex_Brit

You prompted me to boot into my Win 7 once again. I see that Windows Help & Support is expanding rapidly now that release is officially imminent.

The attached thumbnail should answer your question hopefully.

Edit: I see that this forum alters the size of attachments. So here goes copying and pasting:

That system image back-up seems to be exactly what I was looking for.

[Ex_Brit]

Well good luck folks!!

[oblioman]

Originally Posted by Ex_Brit

My personal experience is that Windows 7 is less resource hungry than Vista which in turn is less resource hungry than XP...but that is only my opinion and my machine is pretty state-of-the-art so nothing much would slow it down anyway.

Core i7-975 at 3.86ghz on Asus P6T Deluxe V2 M/B
12gb RAM, nVidia GTX295 Graphics ... etc. etc.

Do you do any HD editing and rendering with this machine?

[Ex_Brit]

I don't and am not very familiar with that, sorry.

[oblioman]

Thanks ex-brit. You be running a robust machine and was just wondering what type of apps you run to put it to work. Cad programs perhaps??

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Ex_Brit

In all fairness to Microsoft, many problems people experienced were with incompatible software, no drivers etc. etc., and Microsoft can hardly be blamed for that because these developers had years to get ready for Vista and many of them just simply ignored it or dragged their feet. There are still some manufacturers who haven't yet made their products Vista-ready, let alone Windows 7-ready.

Having worked for years in a software/hardware development environment, writing requirements and testing results, I would be surprised if having a clear understanding of the requirements that were given was not also an issue for many developers.

Originally Posted by Ex_Brit

Also many people were taken by surprise thinking that systems with minimal resources that handled Windows 95, 98, and XP OK would handle newer OS's in the same way.

Many people operate their systems with minimal capacity or reserve.
And they wonder why things slow down, or why they often have to reboot. I think that has always been a problem for the 'less techy' as hardware got faster and software more capable.

Originally Posted by Ex_Brit

I realise many people aren't fortunate in having the spare cash to invest in new systems or upgrade when they want to. It's tough I know.

I don't think money is the big issue. (Granted, maybe more so TODAY) But folks upgrade Office Suites, add other software and hardware to their systems. Sure, it is not a free pass, but certainly one that should be expected with a totally new OS.

I am tend to be optimistic, and hope W7 succeeds. While it may prove to be less than practical to upgrade from XP those planning to maintain a PC platform will adopt it eventually, no doubt.

[sprkeng]

I haven't looked too far into the Win 7 upgrade from Vista, but does anyone know if it will come with 'Microsoft Security Essentials'....MS did something right with that security software, I tried a lot of security programs and MSE is the best I've had on a computer...

[Ex_Brit]

Originally Posted by oblioman

Thanks ex-brit. You be running a robust machine and was just wondering what type of apps you run to put it to work. Cad programs perhaps??

At the moment I just use it for testing beta software mostly but I do run multiple shared-computing type applications Seti@home, LHC@home, and several others around the clock.

Originally Posted by daleb

Having worked for years in a software/hardware development environment, writing requirements and testing results, I would be surprised if having a clear understanding of the requirements that were given was not also an issue for many developers.

Many people operate their systems with minimal capacity or reserve.
And they wonder why things slow down, or why they often have to reboot. I think that has always been a problem for the 'less techy' as hardware got faster and software more capable.


I don't think money is the big issue. (Granted, maybe more so TODAY) But folks upgrade Office Suites, add other software and hardware to their systems. Sure, it is not a free pass, but certainly one that should be expected with a totally new OS.

I am tend to be optimistic, and hope W7 succeeds. While it may prove to be less than practical to upgrade from XP those planning to maintain a PC platform will adopt it eventually, no doubt.

Good comments, thanks.

Originally Posted by sprkeng

I haven't looked too far into the Win 7 upgrade from Vista, but does anyone know if it will come with 'Microsoft Security Essentials'....MS did something right with that security software, I tried a lot of security programs and MSE is the best I've had on a computer...

I tried MSE in one of my spare partitions and it took out my ethernet/LAN completely...weird. Not only that but it wouldn't allow me to reinstall it. So I dropped it.

[junehhan]

Originally Posted by DonnyDC

Definitely not. Even without aero mode Vista is a hog(compared to xp)
Tried putting it on a 1gb single core cpu computer and it could not run youtube or multitask.

That is why I was wondering about that statement. My Vista laptop originally came with 1gig of memory(which i've maxed out at 2gigs) and multitasking was completely impossible when it had 1 gigs. Even with 2 gigs, it is very slow and irritating as there is a lot of hard drive thrashing that goes on.

If Windows 7 can run better with less memory, I will probably upgrade as I cannot increase the memory on my laptop anymore beyond 2 gigs. I wish I could go back to Windows XP on it, but getting the drivers to work would be a nightmare since everything is proprietary on most laptops.

[Ex_Brit]

All I can give you is what I've already posted and what H & S offers:

File backup
Windows Backup allows you to make copies of data files for all people that use the computer. You can let Windows choose what to back up or you can select the individual folders, libraries, and drives that you want to back up. By default, your backups are created on a regular schedule. You can change the schedule and you can manually create a backup at any time. Once you set up Windows Backup, Windows keeps track of the files and folders that are new or modified and adds them to your backup. To set up file backup, see Back up your files.
System image backup
Windows Backup provides you with the ability to create a system image, which is an exact image of a drive. A system image includes Windows and your system settings, programs, and files. You can use a system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard drive or computer ever stops working. When you restore your computer from a system image, it is a complete restoration; you can't choose individual items to restore, and all of your current programs, system settings, and files are replaced. Although this type of backup includes your personal files, we recommend that you back up your files regularly using Windows Backup so that you can restore individual files and folders as needed. When you set up scheduled file backup, you can choose whether you want to include a system image. This system image only includes the drives required for Windows to run. You can manually create a system image if you want to include additional data drives.
Previous versions
Previous versions are copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saves as part of system protection. You can use previous versions to restore files or folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. Depending on the type of file or folder, you can open, save to a different location, or restore a previous version. Previous versions can be helpful, but should not be considered a backup because the files get replaced by new versions and will not be available if the drive were to fail. For more information, see Previous versions of files: frequently asked questions.
System Restore
System Restore helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos. System Restore uses a feature called system protection to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses. You can also create restore points manually. For more information about System Restore, see What is System Restore?

[mobiushky]

Just finished my Win 7 install. Got to say, impressive so far. Took FAR less time to install than I expected. I found myself in and running in about 30 mins.

So far I like the way it runs. Really slick. And it plays my AVCHD files without a 3rd party codec!!!!!! I can finally watch and stream my HD vids in Media Center and to my PS3!! Love that. If nothing else, win 7 is worth it for that alone to me.

[Rich_Guy]

Originally Posted by mobiushky

Just finished my Win 7 install. Got to say, impressive so far. Took FAR less time to install than I expected. I found myself in and running in about 30 mins.

So far I like the way it runs. Really slick. And it plays my AVCHD files without a 3rd party codec!!!!!! I can finally watch and stream my HD vids in Media Center and to my PS3!! Love that. If nothing else, win 7 is worth it for that alone to me.

Good to hear, I am still waiting for my Windows 7 upgrade to ship.

Myself I have no problems with Vista but I am beginning to look forward to Windows 7. I got the Windows 7 upgrade completely free from HP not even any shipping charges which surprised me.

[Emil]

Did an XP to Win 7 Home Premium install on one of my two machines, all in all it's positive.
Of course I'm one of the millions who don't know how to read which added a bit to the install time .

I wanted to go from 32 to 64 bit so of course I put in the 64 bit DVD. I clicked on setup.exe and got it's not a valid win32 something or other. I figured something was amiss and I booted off the CD which allowed me to install. There wasn't an option to not save my old system in windows.old and it also left the non-system root folders intact but locked as read-only. I figured out the permissions thing and got them unlocked and cleaned up what I didn't want.

I did read the booklet but missed where it was clearly stated use the 64 bit disk only if you have a 64 bit system already installed - not if you want to install a 64 bit system, duh.

It's actually nice to get a fresh start and it seems everything I'm adding works so far. I even have an old DOS bills program that I ran in XP working in DosBox (although I need to run with administration rights to get the disk writes unlocked).

It looks great, runs nice and quick. The second machine install will go even smoother.



BTW,
I do have a shutdown issue where I have to actually push the button for it to completely shut down but it's an Asus board problem which I have a supposed solution to that I'll try when I get home.