Windows gets a lot of criticism. Microsoft in general get a lot of criticism, and you could be forgiven for thinking that their operating system (OS for short) is an insidious attempt to spread ruin throughout the homes and offices of the world. Or, at least, you could be forgiven for thinking that an alternative OS would be a better idea - most likely by replacing PCs with Macs, although Linux and Ubuntu certainly have their supporters as non-Microsoft systems to run on a PC.

So yes, given the various bad press, bad reputations and bad jokes, anyone could be forgiven for shying away from Windows. Yet, forgivable as it may be, is it really a wise decision for your business? If we're talking about previous versions, particularly the much-maligned Vista, then there's a debate to be had. But with Windows 7, there's no argument - it really is the best option out there. Trust me. Not happy with just trusting me? Okay, I'll have to try and persuade you.

The universal OS

If you're unsure about your business using Windows - or continuing to do so, if you're looking at an upgrade and weighing your options, as many organisations frequently do - then that's probably grounded, at least in part, in your own experience. And why can I make this assumption? Because everyone, at one point or another, uses Windows. Computer shops are full of software for Windows. Homes and offices everywhere are full of PCs running Windows. We've all had some kind of practice at using Windows. And as much as Windows 7 improves upon its predecessors, it's still used in essentially the same way as earlier versions.

So, for instance, if your staff already use a form of Windows - XP, most likely - and you're planning on upgrading your company's technology, then giving them a new OS to get to grips with will inevitably create questions and confusion as people learn to find their way around the software. Give them Windows 7, and they'll be able to pick it up in no time - the same techniques will be needed to use the same tools in the same locations. They just work better this time.

And existing software continues to work as well. If you're looking at upgrading rather than constructing an IT network from scratch, this can be vitally important. You might be able to find a way to make the programs you already use to work on Linux/Ubuntu, or you might be able to obtain of something that does the same job on a Mac. But even if you can get around these problems, it's still a waste of effort, perhaps of money, when Windows can run them without a hitch. Whereas, if you're starting afresh, you'll find not only that Windows-compatible software is easier to come by, but most of the other companies you do business with will be using Windows - and you don't want compatibility to be an obstacle to trade. Quite simply, Windows is far, far better for business.

What about Vista?

Okay. Vista was a bit of a disaster. The visual improvements (and it certainly looked a lot better than XP), the better security and the new and more effective performance tools were dwarfed, in the eyes of many, by a slew of nuisances and a startup time that seemed to drag on interminably. However, times have changed, and Windows has thankfully reformed.

Firstly, that startup time: it's been slashed significantly, now being a matter of seconds rather than minutes, and certainly no longer enough time for you to get up and make a cup of tea (bad news for tea lovers, perhaps, good news for everyone else). And if there was anything else that tended to make Vista users bang their heads against the wall, and see that as a better idea than continuing to use Vista, it was the User Account Control warnings - those little boxes that kept asking if you were sure you wanted to open the program you just asked it to open. They've been replaced with a more sensible system that will only ask if the situation demands it, and if you want it to: you can now control just what level of warning you receive. And the frequently irritating gadget sidebar is also gone; now, if you want gadgets on your desktop, you can position them wherever you want them to go.

Yet Windows 7 isn't just about ironing out old irritants. For those whose experience lies mostly with XP or earlier versions, 7 offers a huge improvement. Apart from the look of it - which is a great improvement, it must be said - 7 is much more secure, easier to personalise, and simpler to use. For example, favourite programs can now be pinned to the taskbar for easy access, and the files you frequently open with them pinned to the button: so, if you have a spreadsheet you regularly open in Excel, you can pin the application, and hovering over it brings up a menu of actions which include opening your spreadsheet.

Another big step forward is in just how much easier it is to find what you need on the desktop. If you've lots of windows open, Alt+Tabbing between them now makes it much clearer which is selected and which you're going to; you can clear the desktop in an instant via a little button in the bottom right corner of the screen or by shaking the top bar of an active window; and taskbar items have a preview, allowing you to see what's going on in any minimised window at any time.

There are many other tweaks which improve the experience in their own way. Searching for a file is simpler and quicker. Office or home networks can be constructed with just a couple of clicks (and secured just as easily). Security warnings are flagged up together, so you can always check what might be a problem for your system without having to track multiple dialogue boxes. And I could go on, and on... there are so many small improvements that, counted together, make for an OS that offers more for your business - and more easily - than any rival. To ensure that your organisation is taking the most advantage of the tools available, you might also consider a short Windows 7 training course; whatever approach you take, whatever the reason that you need a new OS, you can be confident that 7 really is the lucky number.