Safe to run windows 7 as main OS?

ChrisyB87

ChrisyB87

ChrisyB87

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I have been running a dual boot (xp + 7 beta) since the 7th testing all sorts including all my drivers and various games form steam (cs:s, l4d and others).

Now my question is, is it safe to run it as my main OS and have XP as my backup drive?

How is the security and everything, and will it be stable enough to run games etc all the time?

Thanks

Chris
 
if it works fine for you, and you have no problems, then I see no reason to use it as your main OS.

Im using it as my main OS right now, and I have no complaints, other than 1 or 2 drivers that I could use, that are not available yet.
 
Hi ChrisyB87, you should never use an operating system that is in it's beta stage as your main and only operating system since you never know what sort of problems may crop up.

You are also already running a dual boot configuration so why not just leave your system the way it is and just boot into Windows 7 when you want and if you like, call it your main operating system. :)
 
They've already found one bug that potentially corrupts MP3s. I personally wouldn't want to risk all my data on any other bugs that are waiting to make an appearance.

It's a good, solid OS, but it's a beta. If it was safe and stable enough to run as a main OS, it'd probably have been released already.
 
Fire Wizard said:
You are also already running a dual boot configuration so why not just leave your system the way it is and just boot into Windows 7 when you want and if you like, call it your main operating system. :)
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I am doing, untill i'm fully satisfied thats its stable enough to run on its own without a dual boot XP partition.
 
Google et al have done the public a serious mis-service by branding most of their apps "beta". It has diluted the term to the point most people consider beta software as "trialware".

You should not use beta software to store or process any data you give a monkeys about.

The fact that you express a concern about security implies that you will be keeping data of some value on your system. I 100% recommend against it. It is madness to be quite honest.

Good luck with it.

edit - nothing personal, just having a general rant
 
Nah, its not madness. If there was any kind of serious risk of customers personal data being lost, microsoft would not release Windows 7 to the public like they have.

Software is such a state that could potentially kill all your data, is commonly refered to as "alpha"
 
Loque said:
Nah, its not madness. If there was any kind of serious risk of customers personal data being lost, microsoft would not release Windows 7 to the public like they have.
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have you read the beta disclaimer and installation reccommendations?

they EXPLICITLY state that MS is ABSOLUTELY not responsible if all your data dissappears and that the Beta should never be used as a main OS, or in a position where data loss is even possible.
 
Loque said:
Nah, its not madness. If there was any kind of serious risk of customers personal data being lost, microsoft would not release Windows 7 to the public like they have.

Software is such a state that could potentially kill all your data, is commonly refered to as "alpha"
Click to expand...
That isn't true. You clearly have zero experience in software development, and are too used to using Web-2.0 "BETA" labelled products.
 
Loque said:
Nah, its not madness. If there was any kind of serious risk of customers personal data being lost, microsoft would not release Windows 7 to the public like they have.
Click to expand...

As said already though, they've already had to patch one bug that potentially destroys MP3 files. It's a public beta largely so that they can essentially field test a fairly stable version and gather large amounts of usage and stability data.
 
TheVoice said:
It's a public beta largely so that they can essentially field test a fairly stable version and gather large amounts of usage and stability data.
Click to expand...

Exactly. The point of a public beta is to get a much bigger test environment to catch the more uncommon bugs you wouldn't see in a small test sample. That doesn't mean that the bugs are any less destructive though.
 
Loque said:
Nah, its not madness. If there was any kind of serious risk of customers personal data being lost, microsoft would not release Windows 7 to the public like they have
Click to expand...

lol, just lol. Use it then, just don't come here moaning about it if anything goes belly up *shrugs* :p
 
I wouldn't get rid of the XP partition, even if windows 7 runs perfectly for you, when they release the retail version then go ahead but to do so now would be taking a bit of a risk.
 
/Rant mode on
Is anyone else getting fed up with the child like way some people use and install software - As previously pointed out, Windows 7 is still in BETA stages (i.e. NOT ready to RTM, not even ready for RC0 stages) and as such should be treated with the respect BETA software needs - it WILL have bugs, it WILL have security holes, it WILL have incomparability issues, it Should NOT be used as a main OS ( your mad if you do).
The idea that the OP (sorry nothing personal to you) main interest in Windows 7 is mealy to run games shows that they have no idea on what a BETA Programme is.

I agree that opening Windows7 Beta to the masses will produce a much more secure and robust OS as more of the Bug and problems will be identified by the less Tech savie then the normal closed BETA testers who would mainly run testing scripts.

Anyhow, please feel free to put your computer life in he hands of a TEST OS, but don't come complaining or slatting MS when your system is screwed and your online life (banks accounts, password protected sites) are compromised.

/Rant mode Off

To the Original OP - none of the above is aimed squarely at you, just it seems to be the general feeling with MS releasing the BETA people seem to think that its Ready to replace Vista / XP now.

Rob!
 
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/windows-7-beta.ars

Ars has an interesting writeup on 7beta and has come to the conclusion that I’ve been thinking about ever since learning more about 7 – that it “is” Vista with a few changes here and there.
It runs the same, looks the same (with updated VS) and has some new GUI features which are a nice touch whilst finally sorting UAC out under an admin account for user requested tasks instead of warning on all tasks regardless of user.
There are bugs, it is beta so just get Vista64 – you will run the same apps in Vista as you will 7 and vice versa, if something doesn’t work in vista it won’t work in 7 either and 7 isn’t out until next year anyway so why use a BETA as a main OS for a year that has no technical support should it tank itself from a flaw?
 
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