Windows 7 vs Windows 8 vs Windows 10

I'm a Mac person...

What is the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8 and Windows 10?

I've learned that newer is not always better. Also, I believe Windows 7 or Windows 8 was considered a bomb, right?

The content of this question is I am trying to figure out which OS would be the best for an accountant I am working with.

For example, would his computer be more secure if it was hardened using Windows 7 or should I tell him that you *must* upgrade to Windows 10 or you will die!

I understand the downsides of sticking with dated technology, yet I work by day for a major company, and they still use Windows 7 Enterprise.

Look forward to people thoughts...

Hi,
The only "bomb" was win-8
8.1 brought a little better interface but still pretty much requires classic shell or start 8
Win-10 pretty much requires the same classic shell or start10 workarounds to get out of the win-10 newer interface
Depends on what hardware is being recommended win-7 can be fun to install on it now that MS has deemed 7 as unsupported on it.
Create a Windows 7 USB flash installation with new drives for new MB's - Windows 7 Help Forums

It doesn't make much difference.

10 is more secure by default and required by some hardware but what is puzzling is whether are you really planning to insist your accountant uses a specific OS. Presumably they would know better what OS they need for their software than you or anyone else on this forum.

If they don't perhaps you should find another accountant.

The current Windows OS is Windows 10. It has more security built in that previous versions. Its what is, primarily, being supported by current software. Commercial companies are slowly abandoning older OS in favor of the "current" OS. But because of the $$$ investment required many companies are dragging their feet. It was the same way with older OS, because of the $$$ involved in new hardware/software/employee training they lagged in switching from XP to Win 7 or Win 8.

I recently installed Quicken QuickBooks for a client. The client's PC was a new Win 10 machine. They had an older version of
QuickBooks that they were using on an old Win 7 machine but it would not install on Win 10. The new version of QuickBooks was designed to take advantage of Win 10 (not sure if or how well it worked on earlier OS).

Speaking from experience one needs to be aware that accountants frequently need to run older programs such as QuickBooks or Sage [formerly Peachtree] according to what their clients need. For one such client I've installed/reinstalled versions of QB from early 2000 through the current version on the same computer. In such a situation it could require the 32-bit version of Windows instead of the 64-bit version. Also becoming more involved [critically] is printer support from manufacturers for older versions of the OS.

If you can still purchase Windows 7 Pro - then I would do that. Install and activate it, then upgrade to Windows 10 immediately while it is still free. Then you have the license for both 7 and 10 (but only one at a time, either 7 or 10, not both). Then if you find that Windows 10 won't work, you have the Windows 7 that can be re-installed to fall back to.

Skip Windows 8. It was the bombshell.

Keep in mind, Microsoft is going to support Windows 10 way beyond the end of Windows 7 - but once you do the free upgrade to Windows 10, you should always be able to the upgrade again (or clean install).

ThrashZone said:

Depends on what hardware is being recommended win-7 can be fun to install on it now that MS has deemed 7 as unsupported on it.

Sounds like Windows 10 is the way to go.

Sorry if this dates me, but what I am trying to avoid is going from Windows XP (most people liked) to Windows ME (a real turd)....

lx07 said:

It doesn't make much difference.
10 is more secure by default and required by some hardware but what is puzzling is whether are you really planning to insist your accountant uses a specific OS. Presumably they would know better what OS they need for their software than you or anyone else on this forum.
If they don't perhaps you should find another accountant.

I am thinking of going with a new accountant, and he mentioned he might be interested in letting me secure and manage his computers.

I am also thinking of asking him if I could buy a Windows laptop, secure it to my liking, and have him use that for my taxes.

So part of all of that is figuring out which is the best OS to go with - assuming it is a choice.

fireberd said:

The current Windows OS is Windows 10. It has more security built in that previous versions.

How much more secure?

If a business had Windows 7, would they be foolish to stick with it?

fireberd said:

I recently installed Quicken QuickBooks for a client. The client's PC was a new Win 10 machine. They had an older version of
QuickBooks that they were using on an old Win 7 machine but it would not install on Win 10. The new version of QuickBooks was designed to take advantage of Win 10 (not sure if or how well it worked on earlier OS).

That is a good point!