Moving back to windows, but which one?

[sourceninja]

I've been out of the windows world for the better part of 10 years using mostly linux and osx computers. I have a new job now dealing with windows products (and requiring me to study up on windows and get my MCSA) so it's time I get back on windows full time.

To that respect I bought the parts to build a decent gaming rig with enough power to run a virtual machines to study for my exams. What I can't decide on is which OS to run.

I have access though my school to windows 7 pro and windows 8. I'm thinking I should go 8 because it's the newest OS, but besides the start menu complaints (I haven't used icons to launch apps i'm years, I'm a keyboard guy) is there a compelling reason to stay with 7?

 

[Underclocked]

Windows 8 and install Classic Shell as well as Explorer Plus Plus. The Windows 8 features are still there and usable ?? but a more familiar start menu and a useful explorer addition will help you take your time adjusting to 8.

 

[seepy83]

If you're going to be studying for certification soon, then you might as well focus on Windows 8 and Server 2012. But you'll probably see mostly Windows 7 and Server 2008 (and potentially even more XP/2k3 than 8/2012) in production environments.

 

[Evander]

Why not get both and dual boot?

 

[sourceninja]

Why not get both and dual boot?

I have a license to both, but I don't see the point in dual booting. I just need to pick the primary OS and then I can virtualize the rest for the purposes of getting up to speed. I actually have legal license to basically every windows OS ever made. I plan to build a few VM environments of 2003 server/XP, 2008/w7, and 2012/w8. It's really just what OS will be the primary for my daily use.

I think however I'll take the advice above and just go with win8. If the only real difference is the start menu issue I'll get over that real fast.

 

[rasczak]

The biggest jump is the 2008 to 2012 on the server side. It's a real pain in the ass.

 

[sourceninja]

Well, new computer is built and running windows 8. So far so good. Everything is pretty easy to use, now I'm just installing a few games to put it though it's paces.