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Windows 7 vs Windows 10: The better gaming OS
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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As you may already know, Microsoft has decided to finallycease supportfor Windows 7.
What this means for all Windows 7 users is that they will now have to migrate toWindows 10if they want to continue using Windows in a safe and secure manner.
However, the biggest concern when migrating to another OS is how it behaves in certain scenarios compared to the previous OS.
For example, gamers may be wondering how moving from Windows 7 to Windows 10 will affect their gaming experience, and whether or not things will run more smoothly or not.
Which is better for gaming: Windows 7 or Windows 10?
The best answer to this question boils down to what exactly do you want out ofgaming.
1. The gaming-dedicated tools
Ever since the original release, numerous updates were brought to Windows 10 that improved the way it handles games. Additionally, it is the only version of Windows to supportDirectX 12, which further enhances the gaming capabilities of the OS.
More so, Windows 10 also comes with dedicated Xbox apps and other tools, like the Xbox Game Bar. This tool can, among other things, act as a screen recording tool specifically designed for games.
2. The drivers needed to play
As you all know, games are usually veryresource-intensive, and sometimes having an outdated driver can mean you cannot run it at all. This makes installing and updating drivers rather frustrating on Windows 7.
However, this is no longer the case with Windows 10, since now drivers areautomatically updatedwhenever you update the OS as well.
More so, Windows 10 is perfectly capable of identifying what drivers your PC needs, making initial setups and clean installs a whole lot smoother.
Finally, if for some reason the driver gets uninstalled or corrupted, Windows 10 automatically deploys its own generic drivers. While admittedly they aren’t as efficient as the originals, they are better than nothing, allowing more than some basic functionality.
A good gaming benchmark tool can definitely tell you which OS is better for gaming!
3. Basic FPS
Numerous tests conducted and even showcased by Microsoft proved that Windows 10 does bring slight FPS improvements to games, even when compared with Windows 7 systems on the same machine.
Speaking of FPS, Windows 10 has a built-in FPS counter. Read more about this neat tool in thisin-depth article.
4. Switching tabs
One of the few advantages that Windows 7 has over Windows 10 is the way it handles switching tabs and exiting the game.
Gamershave arguedthat while Alt-tabbing out of a game can take about 1 second in Windows 7, the waiting times are longer in Windows 10.
5. Game compatibility
Another disadvantage to Windows 10 is that it may have problems running older titles. In fact, unless you buy an older game from a website and it clearly says it is optimized for Windows 10, chances are it isn’t.
This lack of optimization can lead to graphic error, black screens, or even causing the game not to launch at all.
Conclusion
As you can see, most arguments are in favor of using Windows 10 as an OS forgaming.
The differences may not be all that greater, but since Microsoft recommends that youupgrade your hardwareto prepare for the migration, you may end up having bettergamingexperiences anyway.
Did you find this article useful? Let us know in the comment section below.
More about the topics:windows 10,windows 7
Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.
When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.
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