Windows 7 - 14 reasons to upgrade

Faster loading
Windows 7 definitely loads a lot faster than Vista. If you've installed it on a clean hard disk it will run more quickly too - but mostly because you've yet to clutter things up. On a regular computer it will run only marginally quicker or even the same speed as Vista, although it does feel nippier thanks to its streamlined interface.

Enhanced taskbar
The most noticeable change to Windows 7 is the icon-only Taskbar, which allows considerably more items to be squeezed into the same space. Hover your mouse over a program icon and it will display thumbnails of every file or website that's open in it.

Improved UAC
Microsoft has listened to the various complaints levelled at Vista's UAC and, although Windows 7 still has the feature, it's been toned down and made less annoying, with a choice of four user settings. At its most secure, it will prompt you when programs are installed or uninstalled, or you make any kind of system change.

Touchscreen technology
Windows Touch is easy to use and highly intuitive. Zooming in is just a matter of placing two fingers on the screen and spreading them apart. Pinch inwards to zoom out.  All the important icons have been enlarged to make them easier to target and you can also indulge in a spot of finger-daubing in graphics program Paint.

Easier networking
Windows 7 automatically detects when you add a new computer and asks you if you want to make it part of your HomeGroup. Assuming you do, choose the libraries and hardware you want to share (your printer for example). Enter the password, and that's it - you're connected.

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