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Introducing Windows 7
Windows 7 is Microsoft's newest operating system. It's the first new release since Vista in 2006. If you are not satisfied with Vista you may want to consider upgrading to Windows 7. I am not advocating one operating system over the other; however, this information may prove useful to assisting you in making a decision. I personally downgraded to Windows XP with when I purchased a new laptop because of the issues I had with Vista.
General Opinion:
The general concensus of the reviews that are available is that Windows 7 is not everythig that XP is, but it does have some improvements over XP ( no longer supported by Microsoft) Its upgraded user interface, yet low-key, minimalist approach, it offers a much altered experience to that of Vista.
Enjoy new user interface enhancements like the reorganized Taskbar. Additional features like Jump Lists keep the most recent things you've used close by for fast access and the Pin feature lets you "pin" programs or files to your Taskbar or Jump Lists.
Aero Peek, a new management tool that provides thumbnails of all open windows, allows you to keep your desktop organzed and you can scroll over thumbnails to get a peek of the full view window. This may take a little getting used to because Windows 7 has omitted the Sidebar, the portion of the screen that Vista reserved for gadgets. Now you'll find your gadgets such as your calendar, pictures, weather or games directly on the desktop.
A few other changes worth mentioning are enhanced security with less annoying UAC (User Access Controls), easier network sharing with HomeGroup, and XP Mode for programs that require a PC running XP.
There are 6 Editions - which one is right for you
?The Edition chocies are Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, OEM, and Enterprise. However, the three editions that will be most marketed are Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate.
For most Realtors the Professional edituoin will be the most popular choice. While Home Premium has all the cool user interface enhancements and updated Windows Media Center, it lacks the tools needed for working in XP mode, backing up to a network, and joining a network domain - all of which are activities many professionals may require. For an additional $20 you can get the Ultimate edition that includes BitLocker, a security enhancement that encrypts all computer drives, including USB flash drives and portable hard drives to protect your data and passwords.
The Hassles of Upgrading from XP:
You also need to determine if you'll be doing a clean install or an upgrade. This may be decided for you, depending on the operating system you're currently running. If you have XP, like I do, you will need to do a clean install. This will require reinstalling ALL your software including printers, and any other accessorites you may use. Please on several hours and lots of hassel if you choise this route. If you have older printers and external devises their drivers may not be compativle with Windows 7. Call tech support or go online to find out if there are downloads that are available for your devises before you decide to upgrade. It may take a year or more before these companies adapt to Windows 7 with the right drivers, etc. If you do a clean install from XP make sure you back up all your files to that you can transfer over all your data once you reinstall the software.
Windows Vista users: Depending on the Vista edition you currently have installed, you may be able to do an upgrade to Windows 7 rather than a clean install. The benefit of doing an upgrade is that it requires less free space for installation and transfers over your existing programs and user data. View the chart below to see if you qualify for an upgrade.
These charts were designed and provided by the Tech Helpline from Florida Realtors and are very simple to understand.
Should you upgrade? For those who have recently purchased a computer running Vista, the decision is a bit tougher. A Vista machine running Service Pack 2 is a stable, efficient operating system. However there are some Vista computers that would benefit from the upgrade, such as laptops with a single core processor or computers with less than 2 GB of memory because of the built-in memory management that Windows 7 provides.
Check your requirements:
Before you start your installation, please make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements. These will vary slightly depending if your machine is a 32 or 64 bit.
Before you start the upgrade you should run the Windows Upgrade Advisor ( http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15) The advisor tool will scan your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues and will advise you how to resolve potential issues.
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5 comments • Kim Bregman • December 16 2009 10:11AM