• Windows 7 Starter Edition: First Look

    Windows 7 Starter Edition: First Look

    Rohan Naravane, Jan 10, 2010 1000 hrs IST

    Know what's good and bad while getting the latest version of Windows in your netbook

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Windows XP can be nicknamed as Microsoft's ageing workhorse. People were reluctant to shift to Windows Vista since it was a system resource hog that would crawl on slower machines. Last year when netbooks had picked up steam, manufacturers bundled Windows XP Home instead of their newer OS, because they knew Vista would be too much for these paltry-powered machines to handle.

In October 2009, Microsoft tried to set things right by launching Windows 7 - a revamped, near-perfect Operating system. Tech experts roared that it was what Windows Vista should have originally been. Microsoft had earlier released with "Starter" editions of XP and Vista. These versions were stripped of many features available in higher "Home Premium" or "Ultimate" versions. They even had a ridiculous limitation that did not let users open more than three applications at a time. Probably this is the reason why they did not do so well.

In order to show how optimized Windows 7 was for low-power devices, Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky showed the first working version of the OS running on a netbook. With just 1GB of RAM and ultra low-voltage Atom processors, it was a relief to see Windows 7 smoothly working on these devices. They also committed to replace XP Home edition with Windows 7 Starter edition on netbooks after its launch. Finally, the most ridiculous facet (the 3 application limit) has been removed in Windows 7 starter.

Netbooks coming to the market from now on will come either with Windows 7 Starter or XP Home pre-installed. Let's face it, XP's interface was becoming ancient and a fresh change is always welcome. So how advantageous is this upgrade to the end user? This is a first look at Windows 7 Starter; we look at what's good and bad about this version of the OS.

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Discussion Board
(10) Comments
Helen Buchanan
,Hopetoun. , on Jul 07, 2010 01:44 PM
Could someone please tell me what programs are installed with Windows 7 Starter Edition? is microsoft works installed, or only a free trial?
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scarlett
,south gate, on Mar 03, 2010 11:44 AM
i can't do anything with windows 7 starter. it doesn't let me put backgrounds and it doesn't let me use my own webcam. it says i have to buy this new software for it so use it. recommend not getting windows 7 starter edition.
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Neil Moran
,Sault Ste. Marie, on Jan 11, 2010 07:22 PM
Does Windows starter edition include a word processing program?
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Matthew
,Tak, on Feb 10, 2010 09:27 AM
It does include Wordpad, which actually received a nice refresh in Windows 7. Depending on your needs, it may be sufficient. Then, some netbooks will come preconfigured with Works, so that gives another option. Otherwise, Office 2007/2010 or an alternate suite will run fine.
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Sandeep Murthy
,Belgaum, on Jan 11, 2010 07:36 AM
tried installing and working this on my friends netbook. runs quite smoothly. MS are on track with Windows 7(in different flavors), probably ?!?
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JohnSmith
,Lancaster, on Jan 11, 2010 04:47 AM
You claim at the end it's a good replacement, saying it adds a lot of functionality. However, you didn't actually demonstrate any significant improves functionality. Also, it imposes absurd limitations. As far as I can tell, windows 7 starter is a disgusting ploy to get people to spend $80 on an upgrade after they've already paid for an operating system and received far less than they should have gotten. I will be purchasing another netbook this year, and the one I want only comes with windows 7 starter. I will be promptly formatting its hard drive and installing windows xp, rather than letting it persist with this foul excrement posing as an operating system.
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mihedin
,dubai, on Jan 10, 2010 09:56 PM
so good
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sri
,chennai, on Jan 10, 2010 08:18 PM
better go with ubuntu or joliecloud or mobilin. better than windows 7 comparison in performance. because netbook works with small and medium apps well.
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adisal
,Pune, on Jan 10, 2010 07:36 PM
No wallpaper customization, is just ridiculous! Even windows 95 had the feature, then where is the problem?
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Aditya Mundra
,Jodhpur, on Jan 10, 2010 07:17 PM
In my office Windows 7 RC is installed and the comp confi is 700 Mhz processor and 256 Mb RAM!!! :)
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