Why should I upgrade my computer to Windows 7?

The information in this document covers some common reasons to consider upgrading your computer from Windows Vista to Windows 7.

Note: The term "upgrade" in this document refers to the general action of switching from a prior Windows operating system to Windows 7. At Indiana University, Windows 7 Ultimate edition is available for retail purchase; see Windows 7 at IU.

New features

Windows 7 has a variety of new features that improve usability, and make it easier to accomplish everyday tasks. For more, see What's new in Windows 7?

Improved performance

By most accounts, Windows 7 performs significantly better than Vista, and can even run adequately on some older systems (though UITS still recommends the latest technology; see About Windows 7). Windows 7 boot and startup times are greatly improved over Vista, and memory management is better, which makes most programs load more quickly. For more, see Windows 7 features.

Fewer security prompts

Many Vista users have complained about excessive prompting by the User Account Control (UAC), which forces you to confirm whether or not you intended to perform certain actions. Although Microsoft designed this security feature to protect your computer from malware, many users feel there are too many prompts. In Windows 7, the number of UAC prompts is significantly reduced by default (nearly 30 percent fewer, according to a Microsoft executive), while maintaining a high level of security. Windows 7 also lets you customize the number of UAC notifications you receive, while Vista lets you only enable or disable UAC notifications. Windows 7 has four available settings from "Always notify" to "Never notify."

Better power management

Windows 7 is designed to conserve power and extend battery life. It reduces power consumption by using the latest advancements in hardware power management, and by efficiently managing background application processes. Sleep mode has also been made more reliable, which results in better long-term power savings. For more, see Windows 7 power management details.

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