So I'm starting to put together a new computer and one key choice is the operating system.

Currently I'm running Vista Ultimate edition so I've got a choice between advancing to Win 7 or Win 8.


Normally one would just go for the latest software edition due to its longer supported lifespan and support of new features in software and hardware. The thing is Win 8 appears to be suffering, namely with its interface change, which as I understand it is quite significant (eg no windows start button!).

I'm also not as sure as to how compatible either are with older games in general. Not just on GOG (as GOG does patch for older games) but in a general sense as I've older games not sold on GOG. Thus far on Vista the only game I couldn't get to run is Homeworld Cataclysm and I'd dislike seeing more games lost to future windows editions.



So which would be the best choice? Win 8 appears to be another Vista - that said my own experience with Vista (with user account control turned off) has been generally positive and much of Win8 hate could be more bluster than actual reason (combined with a lack of actual need to upgrade for those already on Win 7)

64bit windows 7
Yep!

Apparently Windows 9 is coming next year - hopefully that will be better than 8!

Unless you have a system that can't run Windows 7 64 bit for some reason, like an x86 tablet, stick with Windows 7 64.

I don't think you're going to find any disagreement here - Win7 x64.

Both have an issue running older games, though for win7 I believe that's mainly an issue with the 64-bit version. For instance, I could install Bad Mojo Redux on my win7 computer if I had the 32-bit version, but it won't even start up on my 64-bit system.

I'd heavily recommend staying away from win8 for several reasons. First off, it's not very good. Whoever decided a phone/tablet-based OS was good for computers needs a headcheck. Second, it has compatibility issues even with somewhat recent games. Third, win9 (or 8.2, whichever they decide to make) is only about a year or 2 away.

Windows 8 is objectively superior to Windows 7 in every area due to various technical improvements. If you really hate the interface you can use Classic Shell (free) or the like for a Windows 7-equivalent interface while retaining its other advantages.

Compatibility is mostly equivalent to Vista so everything should work as expected.

I use Classic Shell (mentioned above) on my second computer, a Win 8.1 laptop. I regarded the OS as intolerable before that, but now it's alright. I still prefer 7 though, in part because that's what I've got on my primary computer.

I prefer 7. My brother has 8 and has all sorts of crazy problems with USB devices.

I hate Windows 8.whatever for a number of reasons:
1) I bought Just Cause 2 but it cannot run it.

2) There appears to be twice as many OS programs now and the majority of the new ones seem to be absolute arse. The photo viewer in particular.

3) Every time my new computer (which should be performing about 20 times better than my old one) starts to judder or stall up I cannot help feeling that it is because they rammed a tablet/ Xbox interface over what was a perfectly good OS and did not bother with any of the cleaning up they should have done.

4) I have read that there is no going back. If you didn't have 7 on your laptop before installing 8 then trying to put 7 on it will wind up deleting very important files and basically bricking both OS's.

Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Service Pack 6a.

Because why not!? Although I hate it because it doesn't have Program Manager, so I am considering "upgrading" to Windows NT 3.51 Service Pack 5.

Assuming your license is transferable, stick with Vista if you're content with it, otherwise upgrade to Win 8.1. With a fully upgraded Vista Ultimate I don't see one getting much from a 7 upgrade beyond SSD TRIM support and built-in Aero Snap.

Windows 7 x64bit for the ordinary user/gamer

There is close to no difference for any normal user. I tried 8 recently and had a massive 5 seconds increase in boot time (technically "superior", in practice worthless to me), considerable instability and massive problems getting software (both old and new) to work that works perfectly in Win 7. All in exchange for a subjectively terrible interface. There is no technical improvement that will have any real impact on a typical home user software or hardware wise for years - by which time a new Windows will be out anyway.

If you like Metro get Windows 8, if you don't there no reason to ever get it as a new Windows will come around long before you have to upgrade. Just my opinion of course.

When I first tried Windows 8, I hated it, couldn't makes sense of it and was cussing Microsoft like a drunken sailor. Then I came to realize that I hardly used the start menu when I had vista anyway. I pretty much have been creating my own menus for programs and features that I mostly use via toolbars.

I'm on my gaming computer (anything other than than games is kept minimum), so the picture attached is my games toolbar. Normally I would have a basic programs toolbar, but on this machine those are being handled by RocketDock.

EDIT: Forgot to add that I've gotten used to how win 8 functions.

Just look at this image to get my recent experience as a Windows 8 user when you try to do anything but the most basic of stuff... 3 bloody settings menus! Sorry to bang on about it but stay far far away from Windows 8 if you can help it!