OPERATING SYSTEMS

OPERATING SYSTEMS
Mohammed Abdullah Ghori

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Operating systems

CONTENTS
Operation Systems
Windows XP
Windows 7
Features of Window XP and Windows 7

Windows XP
Windows 7

Differences between Windows XP and Windows 7

Advantages of Windows XP
Disadvantages of Windows XP
Advantages of Windows 7
Disadvantages of Windows 7
Academic Honesty Policy
References

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Abstract

An operating system (OS) is software that manages computer hardware and software resources and
provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is an essential component
of the system software in a computer system. Application programs usually require an operating
system to function. The report includes the background, overview, differences, advantages and
disadvantages of Windows XP and Windows 7.It also includes the features of both Windows XP and
Windows 7.

Keywords: Windows XP, Windows 7

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Windows XP

Windows XP is an operating system which is developed by Microsoft as part of the Windows

NT family of operating systems. Windows XP was officially released on October 25, 2001.
The initial development of Windows XP was focused on two individual products;
"Odyssey", which was supposed to succeed Windows 2000, and "Neptune", which was intended
to succeed the MS-DOS-based Windows 98 with a Windows NT. However, the project, was too
ambitious.
In January 2000, both projects were shelved under OS codenamed "Whistler", which would
serve as a single OS platform for both consumer and business markets. Windows XP was a major
advance from the ms-dos in terms of security, stability and efficiency. Windows XP had a
restructured graphical user interface and it was the first product to use product activation which
was helpful in reducing software piracy.
Windows XP generally received positive reviews for its more intuitive user interface, improved
hardware support, and its expanded multimedia capabilities. Despite poor initial public reception,
often centered on driver support and security restrictions, it ultimately proved to be popular and
most widely used in consumer and business market. It was estimated that at least 400 million
copies of Windows XP were sold globally within a span of five years from its release. And at
least 1 billion copies were sold overall by April 2014.
Windows XP remained popular even after the release of latest versions such as Windows Vista,
Vistas 2009 etc., Sales of Windows XP licenses to original equipment manufacturers was
ceased on June 30, 2008, but continued for netbooks until October 2010. On April 8, 2014 the
extended support for Windows XP was ended. (Wndows XP, 2014)

Desktop view of Windows XP

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Windows 7

Windows 7 is an operating system which is also developed by Microsoft as an advancement to

Vista, a version of Windows NT. In 2006, Windows Vista was released and in a span of six
months following the public release of Vista, it was reported that Vista had some performance
issues, and long development time. Microsoft decided that the next version of Windows would
now be codenamed Windows 7, with plans for a final release within three years. Development of
windows7 was started in early 2006 under the codename "Blackcomb."
Windows 7 along with windows 7s server counterpart and windows server 2008 R2 was initially
released on July 22, 2009, and became available on October 22, 2009.
Windows 7 was primarily intended to be an incremental upgrade to the operating system, which
can address the issues faced by Windows Vista (such as performance improvements), while
maintaining compatibility with hardware and software designed for Vista. While retaining a
similar appearance to Vista, windows 7 interfaces was simplified, with the addition of a
redesigned taskbar that allows applications to be "pinned" to it. Some new libraries were added.
New window management, new file sharing system, and support for multi touch input are some
of the other features that are added in windows 7. An interface that provides an overview of
system security and maintenance information known as "Action Center" is also added ,
Windows 7 is also dispatched with updated stock applications, such as Internet
Explorer, Windows Media Player, and Windows Media Center.
Windows 7 was a major success for Microsoft; By July 2012, over 100 million copies along
with 630 million licenses were sold. In next two years the market shares were almost 51%, thus
making windows 7 the most widely used versions of Windows. (Windows 7, 2014)

Desktop view of Windows 7

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Features of Windows XP and Windows 7

Windows XP:
Windows XP introduced many user interfaces and appearance features that were not found in
previous versions of Windows. Some of them are as follows

GDI+ graphics subsystem

DirectX 8.1 upgradeable to DirectX 9.0c
Improved Taskbar
New features (task panes, tiles, improved sorting and grouping, built-in CD player,
Autoplay, Simple File Sharing, etc.)
Kernel enhancements
Faster start-up
Ability to discard a newer device driver in favor of previous one.
More user-friendly interface
Fast user switching
ClearType Font rendering mechanism.
New networking features (Windows Firewall, Internet Connection Sharing integration
with UPnP, NAT traversal APIs, Quality of Service features, IPv6 and Teredo tunneling,
etc.)
Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop features.
New security features
Side-by-side assemblies
Improved media features
Handwriting recognition, speech recognition and digital ink support.
Improved application compatibility and shims compared to Windows 2000
Updated accessories and games

Windows 7
Some of the new features included in Windows 7 are

Touch and handwriting recognition

Support for virtual hard disks
Improved performance on multi-core processors
Improved boot performance
Direct Access
Kernel improvements
Taskbar
New version of Windows Media Center
XPS Essential Pack
New calculator

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Jump Lists
Show desktop button shifted to right-hand size
13 Additional Sound Schemes
Window borders and the taskbar do not turn opaque when a window is maximized
Allows more customization
A new version of Microsoft Virtual PC, newly renamed as Windows Virtual PC
Supports the mounting of a virtual hard disk (VHD) as normal data storage.
The Remote Desktop Protocol supports real-time multimedia application.
Shadow Copy.

Improved backup and restore.

New Extended Linguistic Services API. Better support for solid-state drives, including
the new TRIM command.

New networking API with support for building SOAP-based web services in native code.

Differences between Windows XP and Windows 7

Windows XP

Windows 7

It supports IA-32, x86-64 and Itanium

platform

It supports IA-32 and x86-64 platform

It requires 4 GB -128 GB physical

memory depending on the version and the
architecture.

It requires 2 192 GB physical

memory depending on the version and
architecture.

Processor is 32 for 32-bit and 64 for

64-bit

Processor is 32 for 32-bit and 256 for

64-bit

Shutdown and start-up is very slow.

Shutdown and start-up is fast

Less graphical components when

compared to Windows 7.

Good Graphical User Interface.

Drivers needs to be installed.

No need to install drivers.

Kernel is good.

Kernel is much better when compared

to kernel of Windows XP.

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User defined themes cannot be

implemented.

User defined themes can be

implemented.

Windows defender feature is not

present.

Windows defender feature provides

the maximum security

Networking is worsen.

Networking is better.

(Differences between Windows XP and Window 7, 2013)

Advantages of Windows XP

Windows XP is very fast and quick response generative in nature.

As a multitasking operating system it allows the users to switch between various
applications and resume working with other applications even if one of the applications
has stopped working suddenly. Moreover, the boot process is so quick that within seconds
the applications open up.
It has quick delete function.
Automatic updates to XP take place without delay in a time-bound manner and they do
not interfere with browsing activity.
XP also presents an exemplary error notification report as whenever there is any problem
within no time an error report is sent to Microsoft for solutions thus preventing any
system hang.
Runs many games and commercial software packages.
Windows XP comes with the default installation of firewall settings that is a boon for the
users as it has stopped the previous unavoidable attacks by numerous malicious software.
(Advantages of windows xp, 1999-2014)
Disadvantages of Windows XP

It reduces user privacy.

Due to the presence of the .Net frame work, it consumes significant system resources.
It is expensive to purchase and it lacks support from Microsoft.
Vulnerable to X number of zero day exploits.
Multiple security issues.
(Disadvantages of Windows xp, 2014)
Advantages of Windows 7

The graphical user interface is upgraded in the windows 7 operating system.

Windows defender was proved to be best in giving protection to the system.
Fast start up and shut down.
Windows update feature for all the software and components.
Attractive themes implemented.
Automatic defragmentation of the hard disk.

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Windows media player version proves to be great.

Performance of internet explorer 8 is good which comes along with the operating system.
Remote desktop connection provided along with the operating system.
Sticky notes and the gadgets of the windows 7
Faster than the other operating systems like windows vista and windows XP.
Disadvantages of Windows 7

Windows 7 needs RAM capacity of at least 1 GB.

Windows 7 cannot be easily upgraded from windows XP.
Some driver support is not providing for the old systems and the old version of
motherboard. This disables some of the features in the windows 7.
If there is a change in the software and the hardware many users encounter the problem
of BSOD with windows 7.
Only the high end computers can install the windows 7 and it can be used only in highly
configures systems.
Various old softwares that are into existence will not work in the windows 7 operating
system.
(Advantages and Disadvantages of Windows 7, 2014)
Academic Honesty Policy
Academics Honesty Policies clearly defines responsibilities that are supposed to be

carried by each student and also faculty member of the institution to maintain the good academic
environment. Student responsibility is to maintain complete honesty (dignity) in all the tasks that
are assigned to him. Also report any such incidents to faculty members or an academic dean.
As a student of University of Houston Clear Lake I must abide by the Academic
Honesty Policy. It is a protocol which states about how a student at UHCL must behave and
follow all the activities and tasks that are carried out at the institution. These policies are
designed for each and every student as well as faculty It is the responsibility of the faculty
members to make sure that the student understands and follows the academic honesty policy
.

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Below are some principles thats need to be followed as a Academic Honesty Policy:

I am not encouraged to follow any kind of plagiarism like copying others ideas/ copy
righted information without acknowledging the source of the work.

I should give references to the information which I have taken from and at the same time
i am not supposed to acquire information that is completed by others.

I am not authorized to provide/reveal any kind of information to any student during the
examination.

I am not supposed to make any kind of modifying/changes in answers, representing for

others during examination etc.

I should not try to get a credit for others work which are forms of information abuse.

Failure to report any incident is also a violation of the honesty policy.

I completely understand that all of the above policies must be followed by me to

complete any kind of task given to me without fail and I am also completely aware that any kind
of academic

policy violation

will lead to severe punishments

like Disciplinary

Suspension/Expulsion.

I will be honest in all my academic activities and will not tolerate dishonesty.
(Academic Honesty Policy, 1994)

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References

1.Academic Honesty Policy. (1994, July 8). Retrieved from 1.

http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/DOS/Documents_and_Forms/Academic_Honesty_
Policy.pdf
2.Advantages and Disadvantages of Windows 7. (2014). Retrieved from
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_Windows_
7
3.Advantages of windows xp. (1999-2014). Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/about_4810986_advantages-microsoft-windows-xp.html
4.Differences between Windows XP and Window 7. (2013, November 17). Retrieved from
http://www.techulator.com/resources/2768-Difference-between-Windows-XP-Windows7.aspx
5.Disadvantages of Windows xp. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.ask.com/question/what-arethe-disadvantages-of-windows-xp
6.Windows 7. (2014, September 28). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7
7.Wndows XP. (2014, September 19). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP