Windows 7

Windows 7 – Fresh start

From the very start, then: installation. Windows 7 is configured to be a markedly less bulky and resource-intensive operating system, so the installation should be relatively quick, and there’s a especially lightweight version for netbooks. The 1st thing to note is that it doesn’t sound all that different from Vista.

How to upgrade to Windows 7?

The troubles that plagued upgrades from XP to Vista are gone, since the structure of Windows 7 builds on the changes made in Vista. Evenly, however, that will make upgrading from XP difficult.

If you are aiming to upgrade immediately from Windows XP to Windows 7, be aware that Microsoft doesn’t recommend it. Not only is it probably to take significantly longer, the directory structure is different between the two and many applications may not work if not run after a “fresh” installation.

The release offers many new personalisation choices like desktop PCs. If installing Windows 7 on an older computer, it’s likely best to check with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor program to see whether your PC is compatible or if you are likely to see the improvements in speed that the OS can in essence offer.

For the most part, software that runs on Vista will run on Windows 7; many big-name software vendors of programs that don’t upgrade easily have free of charge upgrades available on the web.

Microsoft promises that its Windows Easy Transfer will smooth the process of moving your files from an older machine to your new Windows 7 computer.

However, be aware that many simple programs for handling things like instant messaging are missing from Windows 7 on install; instead, the idea is that users will begin to use the cloud-based services that form Windows Live.