With the Windows 7 launch finally upon us, the number of questions I've been fielding about this new operating system has increased exponentially.
People seem to be very interested in Microsoft's new OS. Yet at the same time they seem apprehensive about making the move to the new OS.
It seems like a good time to offer readers seven top tips for surviving Windows 7. These tips are based on the questions that I've been asked most frequently over the past few weeks.
#1: What are the system requirements for Windows 7?
The Windows 7 system requirements are very similar to those of Windows Vista. Here are the base system requirements:
• 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) CPU.
• 1GB RAM for 32-bit OS, 2GB RAM for 64-bit OS.
• 16GB hard disk free space for 32-bit OS, 20 GB for 64-bit OS.
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.
Above and beyond these base system requirements, you'll likely want to add one of more of the following:
• Internet access.
• Depending on screen resolution, video playback may need more RAM and more powerful graphics processing unit (GPU).
• To use Windows Media Center functionality you will benefit from a TV tuner.
• To use HomeGroup you will need a network and PCs running Windows 7.
• DVD/CD burning requires a compatible optical drive.
• Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware.
• Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on.
#2: How much of a hassle is it upgrading to Windows 7?
Depends where you're starting from. If you are going to get Windows 7 with a new PC then most of your hardware issues will have been sorted out right from the start.
When it comes to loading Windows 7 onto your existing hardware then you might run into issues where either something is incompatible (if it worked with Vista, chances are good that it'll work with Windows 7), or you may have to go searching for a driver, although Microsoft has done a much better job of providing updated drivers with Windows 7 than it did with Vista. As far as software goes, again you might be OK or you might find yourself needing to seek out updates or even buy new software.
If you are upgrading to Windows 7 from Vista then, again, when it comes to hardware you should be OK (you might need new drivers). Software compatibility should also be very good, so you should be reasonably worry free there, too.
If you are upgrading to Windows 7 from XP, then beware. Here be tigers! Here's a guide to Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 written by the author of the Windows for Dummies books.
If your PC passes the basic system requirements then you should be OK to run Windows 7, but as far as compatibility of other hardware and software goes, you could find the process to be a smooth one, or you could find it impossible.
This handy bit of software will scan your PC and generate a report for you of any compatibility issues that you are likely to encounter.
#3: I've heard that you can't upgrade directly to Windows 7 from XP … is this true?
Yes, it is. If you are a Windows XP user and want to move to Windows 7 you can't carry out what Microsoft calls an in-place upgrade, where you install Windows 7 over the top of your existing OS and get to keep your applications, settings, and data intact.
Instead, you have to do a clean install, i.e. basically starting from scratch, which is annoying and time-consuming to say the least.
However, as annoying as it might be to do a clean install, it's always the route I recommend. It's best to back up your data, do a clean install, reinstall all your applications, and then copy your data back over onto the system. This method gives you the best possible start for your OS experience.
