When I bought my new laptop, my plan was to install Linux back on to it without even considering Windows as a viable OS.

Windows XP had been usable, Vista unbearable – however, here I am several months after buying this machine and it still loaded with Vista. Of all the OS options at my disposal, I have probably the worst one installed. There were, and still are, reasons behind this – the main being, the complexity involved in reinstalling an OS.

1. Backing up data
2. Proprietary software installed on the OS that cannot be reinstalled.
3. Compatibility with preferred software

Preference

So, Windows 7 is coming out next week; maybe it’s time to ditch Vista for 7… but there are a few doubts in my mind:

1. Windows Media Centre – I’ll be using vlc, iTunes, Picasa etc instead
2. Improved Search – does this work with non-Windows applications / documents?
3. Home Group – sounds like this is only compatible with Windows 7 products

How flexible is Windows when it comes down to customisation. I mean, total customisation, addition, and more importantly, removal of junk that we don’t use; how well do modern operating systems handle that?