Windows 7 Secrets Review

Another author, another book on Windows 7. This time, it’s Paul Thurrott’s and Rafael Rivera’s turn to share their knowledge on Microsoft’s latest operating system with the world. Paul Thurrott is a technology reporter and is well-known throughout the blogging atmosphere. He maintains his own site at SuperSite for Windows. Rafael Rivera is a software developer and is a Certified Reverse Engineer Analyst. Need I say more? He maintains his own site at Within Windows.

With the author introductions out of the way, you would expect this book to be packed with nothing but, well, secrets on Windows 7! However, sometimes titles can be a bit misleading. Depending on what type of user you are, you’ll either be sorely disappointed or you’ll walk away feeling like the Windows 7 geek within your inner family circles. This book in my opinion should not be called Windows 7 Secrets. Why? Because as a avid Windows operating system user, I expect this book to be packed with hardcore tips, tricks and crazy hacks to maximize Window’s 7 true potential. What I got instead was a book that felt like it was giving me the grand tour of the operating system. The book consists of 26 chapters each focusing on a different portion of Windows 7. For example, installation, network and security, digital media, mobility, and much more. All of that is good and all but the book basically just goes over how to perform key functions of each area. It doesn’t go into deep details on how to tweak settings or secret things you can do that will provide you with an alternative experience from the default. The authors pretty much just explains what each of the settings do and provide some recommendations. Throughout the book though, there are many “Secret” quote boxes that provide some additional information on the topic at hand but sadly, nothing is truly mind blowing.

Not all is bad though. The book is well written and is easily readable by novices and expert users alike (although I doubt hardcore users would want to waste their time reading a computer book they most likely already know the information to). In my opinion, this book can be actually compared to Ed Bott’s popular Windows 7 Inside Out edition because both books explain how to use Windows 7. While I’m not proclaiming to know every single bit of information presented in Windows 7 Secret, it’s just that I expected a entirely different type of book, that is all. I’ve definitely gained some cool knowledge. Novices to intermediate users will gain the most by reading this book as they will walk away feeling more confident in navigating and working with the various features in the Windows 7 operating system. Veterans and experts alike will want to stay away.

Purchase here:
Windows 7 Secrets