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 Introduction
The operating system is the heart of any computer system. It controls input/output, peripherals, and provides the platform on which all applications and processes run. This research considers two operating systems that are used widely: windows 7 and windows XP. It tries to see the common different between these two operating systems and discover the users' opinions about them. Also, it tries to see the references description for them.
 Definition of operating system
An operating system is a program that manages the computer hardware.
An operating system (OS) is a collection of system programs that together control the operation of a computer system.
 Definition of windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, and media centers. It was released in 2001. The name "XP".
 Features of windows XP
Windows XP introduced several new features to the windows line, including:
1. Start Menu and Taskbar improvements
2. A number of new features in Windows Explorer
3. Faster start-up, logon and logoff.
4. A new, arguably more user-friendly interface.
5. Fast user switching.
6. Remote desktop functionality, which allows users to connect to a computer running windows XP Pro.
7. Support for most DSL modem connection.
 Advantages of windows XP
There are many advantages of windows XP a few of them are given below:
1. It supports most of the hardware without need of external drivers.
2. It offers good GUI as compared to older versions.
3. It supports wireless networking.
4. Many applications are developed for windows only.
5. The availability of this is very high.
6. Windows XP is user friendly as compared to other OS in market.
* Disadvantages of windows XP
Although there are numerous disadvantages of windows XP some of them are:
1. It is expensive to buy.
2. Many flaws and bugs are present in it.
3. It is very heavy system and old hardware can’t run it.
4. Older DOS programs may not run on this version.
5. Comes with single user license so it can't be loaded on multiple PCs.
 Definition of windows 7
Windows 7 is the latest operating system by Microsoft is similar to Microsoft vista but not the same.
 System requirements
The system requirements include a processor clocked at 1GHz, 1GB of RAM and 16 GB of available disk space.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of windows 7
1) Windows 7 is faster than XP.
2) Windows 7 has a lot of new and very nice features that aren't in other versions.
3) Windows 7 looks nice, is designed for touch screen interaction.
4) Windows 7 has compatibility mode with XP.
5) Windows 7 is not easily upgraded from XP.
The survey
I plan for a survey questioning people opinions about these two operating systems windows XP and windows 7. To avoid the annoying the questioned people and to get a real result I design the survey with only 10 short questions. The following questions are included in my questioner:
1. Which is the fastest operating system?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
2. Which is the best operating system?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
3. Which is the best operating system in terms of security?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
4. Which is more complicated when using operating system?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
5. Which one has better protection against viruses for the operating system?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
6. If you have a computer with 1 GB Ram and 40 GB hard disk, which Operating system do you prefer for these configurations?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
7. Which is better for beginner users of computer?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
8. What is the best operating system that has a lot of new features?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
9. Which is the best operating system to support new applications?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
10. Which is more reliable operating system?
a. windows 7
b. windows XP
* The analysis of the survey's results
I distributed the survey to 20 people from different fields. The target people are those who experienced both operating systems windows XP and windows 7. Then I collected them and analyzed the results as the following:
1. 18 of 20 people agree that window 7 is the fastest operating system.
2. 19 of 20 people support that windows 7 is the best operating system.
3. 19 of 20 people support that windows 7 is the best in terms of security.
4. 19 of 20 people agree that window 7 is more complicated when using operating system.
5. 18 of 20 people support that window 7 has better protection against viruses for the operating system.
6. 12 of 20 people prefer to install windows XP in a computer with this configuration (1 GB ram and 40 GB hard disk) more than windows 7.
7. 14 of 20 people agree that windows XP is easier for beginner users than windows.
8. 19 0f 20 people support that windows 7 has a lot of new features.
9. 18 of 20 people support that windows 7 is the best operating system to support new applications.
10. 16 of 20 people support that windows 7 is more reliable operating system.