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Why Windows Vista was Destined to Fail
It’s no secret that I love Windows 7. As I’ve been thinking about exactly why I love it so much more than Windows Vista, I’ve come to the conclusion that Windows Vista needed to happen for Windows 7 to be what it is and what it will be: The perfect step up from Windows XP.
I’ve been able to sell Windows 7 to many of my friends and followers by painting it in a light which seems befitting enough to grab their attention and pique their interests: Windows 7 is the encompassment of the performance of Windows XP combined with the aesthetics of Windows Vista. After all, at this point, Windows Vista has – for the most part – ended up being a solid OS. Not that it wasn’t before, but it’s in this where I find that Windows Vista just had to happen.
Between the version checking issues, the driver issues, the new user experience (not just the user interface, but how one goes about using the OS) learning curve, the continuation of ironing out the kinks of migrating to 64-bit client, UAC, and the overall headaches and hatred for Vista that ensued – yes, the OS to follow XP was destined for damnation. It makes me think that even IF Microsoft had completed Windows Longhorn as it was pre-reset, many of the issues that plagued Vista would have plagued Longhorn just the same. After all, most of what Microsoft was aiming to achieve in Longhorn did find its way into Vista in some form or fashion (those of us on the forefront of hacking those builds to death know just about more than anyone else all the things that didn’t, though), so even IF the Longhorn vision had been carried through to completion, it would have more than likely met the same fate as that which it gave birth to in Windows Vista.
Even being a Microsoft enthusiast, it still took me until early this year to switch to Vista because I just didn’t like the new user experience. I didn’t feel like it flowed, many of the little ways I used XP that I, personally, found the most productive had been removed, and I honestly read more into the anti-Vista hype than I should have. Once I finally received a copy to review for another website, I took the leap and was pleasantly surprised! Sure, there were some small issues I needed to figure out and get past, but those didn’t last long. Regardless, I entered the Vista game at a point well-past the majority of the issues Windows haters and Windows enthusiasts alike were experiencing with drivers, etc., so my shift to Windows 7 wasn’t too bad where usability was concerned.
I don’t know about you, but there’s been a driver for damn-near everything I’ve thrown at Windows 7 so far and whatever I *have* had to install driver-wise, it has either just worked or using compatibility mode just works. It just works. That’s one thing I did have an issue with in Vista – compatibility mode. Oh, and UAC? Brilliant now. It never gets in the way (most importantly, when I’ve told it not to… and it didn’t take an act of congress to make it happen). Although there are some minor gripes that I do have with Windows 7, I think it’s exactly what *should* have followed XP, but would have never been due to the lessons that still would have needed to be learned.
Now, this isn’t to say that Windows Vista was just an all-out horrible OS, because it wasn’t! There was plenty of innovation that went under the hood into Windows Vista and it all went into Windows 7. Of course, Windows 7 got the best of it and improved upon it, but there is PLENTY of Windows Vista in Windows 7… and that’s a good thing. Leave it to Apple, though, and they’ll tell you that Windows 7, “is just another Windows Vista” simply because it utilizes much of the same code… annnnd because Apple apparently doesn’t have enough going for its OS to market it properly, so instead, they take cheap shots at Windows to sell their product (hehe).
Taking all of the aforementioned into consideration, I posit that Windows Vista HAD to happen to ensure what will be the success of Windows 7 and everything that actually makes Vista a good OS. Yes, I’m going to step out on that limb and be so brave as to call Windows 7 a success a little over a month prior to its official launch date. For all of the businesses who decided they would wait until Windows 7 to upgrade from XP, well… Windows 7 is here and it’s exactly what you wanted Vista to be (and so much more). While XP users will still have a bit of a learning curve with Windows 7′s usability, it’s filled with the performance from XP and the looks of Vista to make it an enjoyable experience; not an arduous one.
-Stephen
http://msftkitchen.com
Agree!
YUCK!
It was the whole transition from XP to Vista that created most of the negativity for most of the Windows fans.
When I got my first Vista laptop, I was just disgusted with the little things like the extra click it took to get in to display properties. I hookup external monitors regularly and most of the time I'd have to go and set the resolution on them or change whether they are on the left or the right etc. So this was (and still is) pretty annoying.
But I stuck with it. Had no option actually. Mine was a Tablet PC and XP Tab PC Edition was too far behind Vista's Tab support.
And now, 2 years and 2 service packs and another laptop later I just shudder every time I see a XP machine.
The exaggerated Luna toolbar and that over stated blue
But, most of all I'd miss the Vista's super address bar on Win Explorer. I'd miss app search on the start menu and the search as you type on Win Explorer.
Little things still; but they do make the difference.
You are mostly right, vista had to happen. But the so-confusing versioning scheme didn't have to, the intel video chips scandal, the partial switch to the new control panel applet style, the broken driver support because of late delivery to OEMs.. thankfully that's all over in 7
If it is soooooo wonderful, then …
I want my money back for the damages Vista has done.
By the way, the first comments about the new Vista ware mare or less equaly nice. Don´t belive everyting you read.
I purposly never upgraded my XP machine due to all the negativity of Vista. Eventually that machine died and I had to buy a Vista Machine. Now, I'm glad I never upgraded it.
You could save Vista is an in complete version of Windows 7. Microsoft rushed to get Vista out with out fixing everything and leaving out features.
From What I've seen with Windows 7, it looks good.
"there is PLENTY of Windows Vista in Windows 7"
Well said!
@Anonymous:
Well taken out of context! Now, let's put it in perspective to see what I really meant, shall we?
"[t]here is PLENTY of Windows Vista in Windows 7… and that's a good thing. Leave it to Apple, though, and they'll tell you that Windows 7, "is just another Windows Vista" simply because it utilizes much of the same code…"
There, that's better. Let me guess… you're a Mac user? If not, you should really look into joining their advertising division!
-Stephen
they both are fail
7 is just refined version of Vista and now people have had it with hating vista
and they immediately jump on Win7 wagon. and ofcourse its nicer its refined and a bit
different so lets all say 7 is already better !
c’mon… if we take out the GUI changes from XP to Vista/7, what do you have
at the end from Win7 ?, you still get sluggish OS, you still get 6-7 GB huge install
as opposed of XP’s 800-900 MB, you absolute LOSE control of your OS and on top of all that
you gained nothing except OS that has only better HW support because it is newer
and nothing else. the illusionary security is still terrible, backdors in NT system still
exist as they always did, now even more since DRM is integrated in OS since Vista
so only casual user can say “yeah it has nice GUI it is bit faster than Vista and WOW it has DirectX 11), but functionality side it is POS as Vista, unless Windows from 8 to 9
don’t get the Lightness of XP and its REAL quick functionality, Windows as OS will fail…
OpenSpace: SS, DD.
Once again, you’re repeating age-old mythical nonsense. Just as I said to someone else who said the same crap, SHOW US THE PROOF that Windows 7′s security is terrible. SHOW US THE PROOF that backdoors in NT are still exploitable and SHOW US THE PROOF that DRM has done anything at all to contribute to any negativity in Windows 7.
SHOW US THE PROOF.
See, if you take away the messageboards and all the crap people continue to regurgitate about Windows that’s not even true, what do you have by the end of your comment, OpenSpace? You’ve got open space, that’s what, because your comment wouldn’t be there at all. Now, if you actually have something UNIQUE and LEGITIMATE to complain about, by all means, please let us and Microsoft know. No Windows enthusiast out there will tell you Windows is perfect. People like you are the ones who seem to think the OS should be FLAWLESS and absolutely future-proof. What a ridiculous standard to hold to an OS to that you actually know nothing about, yet you help spread false rumors about it as if you know it all.
Just as I always end up doing with every single non-Windows-using know-it-all who comes through here, I’ll await the proof of all your ignorant claims. Until then, I refuse to allow that nonsense to go unaddressed here on my website. Go preach to the choir on some Linux forum where every other know-it-all will agree with you and tell you you’re right. At least you’ll feel better not having to actually have any proof of your bogus claims.
-Stephen
@Open Space
Geez! you’re such a tech retard! Do you even know what you said? Remove the GUI and what you get is an OS that is more secure & more light. Since you’re understanding of GUI is limited to Aero and thereby I can gauge your understanding of computers, you do not realize features like Device Stage & Auto Troubleshooting. I don’t really see the point of listing you features of Windows 7 since you’re obviously here to flame.