Windows 7 is the latest operating system offering from Microsoft. The previous OS, Vista, in all its various incarnations, was not without its issues, so if you are looking to upgrade to find something that is a better fit for you, then Windows 7 may be it. However, as with Vista, there are some things you need to know before you go trying to put a Windows 7 installation on your PC, whether it is your laptop or your desktop. The actual installation of Windows 7 will be fairly straightforward and easy for most users, but before you get started, there are a few choices to be made and things you need t
The first thing you need to check on is whether or not your system is actually capable of running Windows 7. If the laptop or desktop computer you want to upgrade is currently running Vista and running it well, then the answer will be “yes” - it is indeed capable of running Windows 7. Microsoft suggests that users have a minimum of 1 GB of RAM and at least a 1 GHz CPU. You may technically be able to get Windows 7 to run on a system with lesser specs, but it will probably run very slowly and you may not get to use the shiny new “Aero Desktop” interface and enhancements that Windows 7 offers its users.
For those PC users not sure of whether or not their systems can handle Windows 7, Microsoft has provided a handy Upgrade Advisor. Go to Microsoft's website to download it and run it on the system you want to upgrade. It will assess the laptop or desktop's hardware capabilities and let you know any potential issues or problems that might arise should you try to install Windows 7 on that particular machine. For example, Windows 7 needs at least 16 GB of free hard disk space. If you do not have enough available, the Upgrade Advisor will let you know. It will also tell you what sort of installation might work best for you (like the Custom Installation option), and check on other system hardware capabilities to see what features of Windows 7 may not work or work well if you try to run it on that particular computer.
Once you know that your system can support Windows 7 – or you have made the necessary hardware changes and upgrades to make sure that it will – you can choose which Windows 7 edition is right for you. There are only 3 versions that are available for actual purchase, though there are other editions available via other means, and they are Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate. Then you need to figure out whether you need the 32 bit version or the 64 bit version of the edition of Windows 7 you have decided on.
Most computers manufactured within the last few years will have a 64 bit capable CPU, but check your system carefully to be sure. There are compatibility features built into Windows 7, as well, that will allow your old 32 bit programs to still run with your new 64 bit OS, should you choose to go with that version of Windows 7. Both the 32 bit and the 64 bit Windows 7 installation disks will come in your package when you purchase Windows 7, so you can wait to decide then, but if you are ready to take the jump into 64 bit programs, then you will find that now is a good time to go ahead and do it. You will make more efficient use of your RAM and CPU, and you will be already set up when 32 bit programs begin to be slowly phased out of common use. Though these are not the only things you need to be aware of when it comes to Windows 7, they are the most important basic things you will need to decide on and figure out before you can successfully install Windows 7 on your current PC.
