Appearance wise, they are different. But actual functionality is very much the same. My Computer menu looks the same, still have My Docs, Explorer has similar layout, start menu works the same, same accessory programs, same command line utilities, tray works the same, right-click menu is the same, etc etc etc etc. It's less of a whole new system and redesign (like 7 to 8) and more of a upgrade, with some more features and stuff but same idea. These are things that are common to both Win7 and WinXP, but not, say, Win7 to Win8 The point is Win7 had the same success with me that WinXP did, probably because they were very much the same.
As a person who hates desktop icons, I love Windows 8.1. I'll miss the start screen if they remove it.
I still love XP as well, it's my favourite OS. But I'd much rather have Windows 7, nowadays obviously.
Vista was such a fail. They were like "ooooooh if you do home and tab it looks cool and is mostly pointless!"
not true i actually like vista, just not the optimization of vista (which was really the only problem with it, was crap optimization)
I have 7 ultimate. Couldn't have asked for a better windows version. They don't lock it down like they do with the home version. Its strange but the locked down "user friendly" operating systems are a billion times more awkward.
I use 8.1 but I prefer 7. Sure, 8.1 might be a tiny bit faster but I find it overall more annoying to use. This is coming from someone who has been using 8/8.1 regularly for over a year. - - - Updated - - - Vista didn't give me any major problems. It's over hated really. Most people that hate Vista don't even know why.