Before the process began, Mike removed all the data on the machine just in case anything went wrong. The installation itself took 42 minutes and 30 seconds and was a fairly easy and painless process.

Windows 7 promises to have a faster boot up and also promises to reduce the number of clicks needed for common tasks. Mike found that the boot up time is indeed faster than Vista and that several of the new features really would allow for the easy completion of tasks.

One of the most noticeable features is the taskbar. The quick launch toolbar is gone, but the new taskbar is very speedy and user-friendly. In addition, it allows you to pin and unpin programs for your own personalization. Windows 7 also has a snap feature that makes it very easy to compare two windows. Security is also enhanced with 7 and gives users the power to manage the much-hated User Account Control from Vista.

There are many more features and tasks still to be tested, but for now, Windows 7 does seem to be an improvement over Windows Vista. But then again, is there anything that could be worse?

Vista’s predecessor, XP, did not sell nearly as many copies when it was first released.

“We are encouraged to see such a positive consumer response to Windows Vista right out of the gate,” said Microsoft’s Bill Veghte.

Vista aims to provide better search functions and is said to promote internet advertising. The software also boasts security enhancements and more user-minded features.

The system offers six versions Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate, plus a Starter Edition.

“Since the launch of Windows Vista, Dell consumer customers have overwhelmingly chosen premium versions of the operating system that enable them to have a richer experience with music, video, photography and other computing applications they choose,” said Neil Hand, vice president of Dell’s Consumer Product Group.