IT Pro is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Windows 8.1 vs. Windows 7 – Which is best for you?

As Windows 10 draws nearer and Microsoft distances itself from older OS, we look at the best option for your PC

6. Task Manager

The Task Manager for Windows 8 displays more information in a visual form, with coloured charts for heat, CPU, memory, disk, Ethernet and wireless consumption. There's even a breakdown of how each program effects boot time.

Winner: Windows 8 Who doesn't want more informative graphs and charts?

7. USB 3.0 support

Windows 8.1 sports OS-level support for USB 3 devices. Instead of relying on manufacturers or updates to add support for devices, any Windows 8-enabled device can now enjoy faster speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s.

Winner: Windows 8 Getting faster transfer speeds is always a positive thing.

8. Data transfers done right

Copying and moving data on Windows 7 was handled in the wrong way. When encountering a name collision between two files, for example, the transfer was interrupted with a prompt asking how to proceed, stacking individual windows for each transfer.

This has thankfully been cleaned up with Windows 8, putting all transfers into one window and pushing name collision dialogues to the end of the process. Windows even tried to make the time estimations on transfer more accurate.

Winner: Windows 8 Not only does it transfer data faster, but Windows 8 ensures less interruptions and more accurate time estimations.

9. Daemon Tools is obsolete

Windows 8 finally added support for native mounting of ISO, IMG and VHD disk images. We can now access the content of virtual disk files and write them to physical CDs without any third-party programs like the now-obsolete Daemon Tools.

Winner: Windows 8 - Finally helps to put the nail in the coffin ofphysical media.

10. 3D printing support

Microsoft added native support for 3D printing in Windows 8.1, allowing you send files to a MakerBot Printer straight from the Charms bar.

Winner: Windows 8 - It's not a necessity yet but, in the future, the ability to print 3D prototypes could be invaluable to businesses.

Featured Resources

ZTNA vs on-premises VPN

How ZTNA wins the network security game

Free Download

The global use of collaboration solutions in hybrid working environments

How companies manage security risks

Free Download

How to build a cyber-resilient business ready to innovate and thrive

Outperform your peers in your successful business outcomes

Free Download

Accelerating your IT transformation

How Cloudflare is innovating for CIOs to start 2023

Watch now

Recommended

Microsoft Security Copilot could be a seismic success for the tech industry
Security

Microsoft Security Copilot could be a seismic success for the tech industry

29 Mar 2023
Microsoft set to block emails from unsupported Exchange servers
Security

Microsoft set to block emails from unsupported Exchange servers

28 Mar 2023
Microsoft launches collaboration platform Loop, its answer to Notion
collaboration

Microsoft launches collaboration platform Loop, its answer to Notion

23 Mar 2023
Microsoft 365 Copilot aims to transform meeting prep and productivity
artificial intelligence (AI)

Microsoft 365 Copilot aims to transform meeting prep and productivity

17 Mar 2023

Most Popular

Tech pioneers call for six-month pause of "out-of-control" AI development
artificial intelligence (AI)

Tech pioneers call for six-month pause of "out-of-control" AI development

29 Mar 2023
Getting the best value from your remote support software
Advertisement Feature

Getting the best value from your remote support software

13 Mar 2023
Microsoft Security Copilot could be a seismic success for the tech industry
Security

Microsoft Security Copilot could be a seismic success for the tech industry

29 Mar 2023