Microsoft Windows

Main benefits of Windows OS

• Familiarity – it’s the most commonly used operating system (after Android)
• Available compatible software – thanks to its ubiquitous presence on the software scene for more than 30 years, there’s a huge selection of programs, systems and services specifically designed to work with Windows
• Extensive online knowledge database – there are countless guides, articles, discussion boards, and services that provide advice, education and support for Windows users accumulated over decades on the Internet
• Ease of use – Windows’ graphical user interface and user experience constantly undergoes improvements; additional options such as voice assistants and touch peripherals are also extensively developed and aimed at intuitive interactions between user and device
• Increasingly uninterrupted experience on various platforms – with its newest edition Microsoft focuses on converting Windows into a unified service across various devices (phones, tablets, PCs)

Windows products are for anyone – from casual users to enterprises with extensive complex structures.

Comparison of frequently used features of Windows 7, 8 and 10

Take a look at what features are included in the Windows releases that we sell in our e-shop in the table below.

Swipe to the side to see the rest of the table.

Feature	Windows 7	Windows 8	Windows 10
Start button
In-built web search
Simplified Task Manager
Integrated security (Windows Defender)
Microsoft account + OneDrive
Continuum (UI scaling for devices)
Microsoft Edge + Cortana

Feature	Windows 7	Windows 8	Windows 10
Start button
In-built web search
Simplified Task Manager
Integrated security (Windows Defender)
Microsoft account + OneDrive
Continuum (UI scaling for devices)
Microsoft Edge + Cortana

Would you like to know more about each feature? Tap on it!

Would you like to know more about each feature? Click on it!

Start button
The Start button allows users to easily access programs and various other options by opening the Start menu. This classic feature briefly disappeared in Windows 8 but returned in Windows 10 due to high demand from the general public.

Local and web search
Searching for files and folders has been around for decades but with Windows 8 Microsoft introduced in-built web search – users can write inquiries directly in the Start menu or the search field of the task bar and it will show results from both the local system and the Internet. Going to the webpage that contains the result still requires an internet browser though.
Local search has also undergone significant improvements – suggestions show up while the user is typing and the results show up much faster.

Task Manager
Task Manager provides monitoring and management of the processes and applications running on a computer, as well as general information about the system performance.
Windows 8 introduced a simplified look to Task Manager that helps users to immediately see what program is causing trouble without getting distracted by unnecessary details. The advanced view with all tabs and options is still accessible by clicking the “More details” button.

Integrated security
Windows 8 brought an essential feature to Microsoft’s operating systems – Windows Defender, a built-in realtime security program that guards against viruses, attacks, spyware etc. that updates its definitions daily. Windows 7 and its predecessors could use the free Microsoft Security Essentials but as it was a separate installation, many users neglected it or simply didn’t know about it. Including the security program directly in the operating system significantly improves its protection, and Defender is considered to be one of the best programs for Windows security.

Microsoft account
The Microsoft account is a single unified ID and password for signing in to Microsoft’s diverse services and products, aimed at making the user experience safe, flexible and accessible on various platforms and devices. Once an account has been created, it can be used to access a wide range of apps and Windows components such as: Cortana, Microsoft Store, OneDrive, Mail, Messenger, Skype, Office, Microsoft 365, Visual Studio, Xbox Live etc.

OneDrive
OneDrive is a data storage service created to expand Microsoft’s cloud service offering, providing a minimum of 5GB free space per user, as well as many options for expansion of the storage upon purchase. Users can drag and drop files up to 300 MB/file via the client application available for Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 10 Phone, as well as Android and iOS.
Among its numerous features is the possibility of integration with Office apps and services, as far back as Office 2010 and Office for Mac 2011, so documents can be opened, saved and edited directly on OneDrive.

User Interface
As with most modern operating systems, Windows applies predominantly visual and tactile user interface, supplemented by an expanding range of auditory options.
The advancement of interconnectivity and cloud services required UIs to adapt to diverse hardware requirements and display sizes, so Microsoft developed Continuum for Windows 10 as a response.
Continuum lets the OS detect the type of hardware it’s running on and choose an appropriate interface for it, scaling smoothly to any size and display. This allows users to interact with Windows on phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers with equal ease.

Microsoft Edge
Edge is Microsoft’s new default Internet browser, introduced for the first time in Windows 10. In early 2020 the app got a major update – it’s newly based on Chromium and holds up to modern browser standards. Users can write, type, and mark up content directly on web pages, plus it drains device batteries less than other popular browsers, as it is designed to work smoothly with all Microsoft products.

Cortana
Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana helps users by performing searches and answering questions (including voice inquiries) by using the Bing search engine, and setting up reminders. The assistant is seamlessly integrated with Edge and Windows 10 and provides location-based information such as nearest points of interest, opening hours of businesses, weather reports, traffic conditions and other similar items aimed at organising and easing up users’ daily agenda. Additionally Cortana is able to synchronize notifications and reminders across devices – this way computer users can get alerts for events saved on their phone’s calendar, for example.
Currently, Cortana responds to voice commands and answers in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

Should I choose Windows 7, 8, or 10?

Still not sure which one suits you best? Here’s a short summary that can help you decide:

Windows 7  is celebrated as one of Microsoft’s most beloved operating systems, thanks to its stable performance and classic desktop-style UI. The system offers a simplistic approach towards tasks and programs centered on one device (PC or laptop), so if you don’t require cloud services or constant synchronization between various devices, it is the perfect solution!

Have in mind, though, that if you decide to get this operating system, we strongly recommend purchasing security software products as well, as the Windows 7 extended support has already ended. Without taking any additional safety measures, you would be putting your data at a great risk of being exploited.

If you are a fan of mobile devices, Windows 8  is the OS for you! It’s specifically designed to work well not only on PCs and laptops, but also on tablets and mobile phones. Furthermore, unlike its predecessor, it comes with integrated security so there is less need for 3rd party software to keep your data safe.

Windows 10  is Microsoft’s newest operating system – and according to them, their final. The OS relies on constant updates to keep up with the latest trends in technology, continuously offering the newest features and the best in-built security so far. Windows 10 also helps you manage your daily agenda very efficiently – its wide array of preinstalled apps and features can be interconnected across devices via the cloud, so you can spend less time in technicalities and more time in creative activities!

Additionally, you can find a more detailed comparison of Windows 7 and Windows 10 in our article.