WINDOWS 7 UPGRADE / UPDATE QUESTIONS:

What’s the minimum hardware needed for Windows 7?

Windows 7 RC System Requirements:

 

• 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

NOTE: Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of "touch," may require advanced or additional hardware.

BLAKE NOTE: 1 to 2 GB memory is not enough – I recommend at least 4GB.

 

Will my computer support Windows 7?

Microsoft’s Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor program scans your PC to see if it’s ready for Windows 7, and tells you about any known compatibility issues.

Will my computer support the 64 bit version of Windows 7?

Will my computer support Windows XP (compatibility) Mode?

SecurAble, by Steve Gibson, quickly tells if your computer supports the 64 bit version of Windows 7, as well as "Hardware Virtualization" which is required for Windows XP Mode. 

Will I be able to upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7?

No (sorry) you’ll need to perform a "clean" install of Windows 7 (More Info)

Will I be able to upgrade the Windows 7 RC to the full release?

No (sorry) you’ll need to perform a "clean" install of Windows 7 before the RC software expires on June 1, 2010. (More Info)

 

How long can I use the current Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) Beta?

The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. (More Info) 

 

When is Windows 7 going to be "officially" released?

October 22nd

 

 

 

WTF! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE __________ PROGRAM ????   

Where’s Email?

While Outlook Express was bundled with previous versions of Windows, it’s been replaced by Windows Live Mail available as a separate download.  Click Here –> Windows Live Mail 

 

Where’s Microsoft Calendar?

While bundled in Window Vista, it’s now available as a separate download. Click Here –> Windows Live Calendar 

 

Where’s Movie Maker?

While bundled in Window Vista, it’s now available as a separate download.  Click Here –> Movie Maker

Where’s NetMeeting?
Where’s Windows Meeting Space?

Windows Vista replaced NetMeeting with Windows Meeting Space — however Windows 7 RC does NOT currently include Windows Meeting Space. No word from Microsoft "if" this feature will return.

Where’s Photo Gallery?

While bundled in Window Vista, it’s now available as a separate download.  Click Here –> Photo Gallery

 

 

 

WHICH ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE WORKS WITH WINDOWS 7?

 

• AVG Internet Security
• AVG Anti-Virus 
• F-Secure Internet Security
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows 7
• McAfee Total Protection Beta
• Panda Antivirus Pro 2009
• Symantec’s Norton 360 Version 3.0
• Trend Micro Internet Security for Windows 7

 

 

WTF PART II – AM I MISSING SOMETHING?  

What happened to Windows Vista Ultimate’s DreamScene Animated Wallpaper?

It’s been removed from Windows 7 — but can be added using this 3rd Party add-on from the Windows 7 Center.

 

I cannot add lyrics to My Music – where is the "Advanced Tag Editor" within Windows Media Player 12?

While you can add lyrics from the "Advanced Tag Editor" within the previous version 11 of Windows Media Player — this feature is NOT part of Windows 7 RC’s Windows Media Player 12. No word from Microsoft "if" this feature will return.

 

Where’s the Quick Launch Toolbar?

While I agree with Microsoft the new Windows 7’s Taskbar is better than the old Quick Launch Bar — you can restore the old Quick Launch Toolbar.

1. <Right-Click> on the Taskbar
2. From Toolbars  select New Toolbar…
3. In the Folder: box type: %userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch 
4. <Click> on Select Folder

The Quick Launch toolbar will appear.

What happened to the "NET PRINT" function in Windows 7?

The "NET PRINT" functionality no longer exists in Windows 7.  "The decision to deprecate the functionality was based on usage data and the fact that there were multiple ways to perform the same tasks".

 

Although "NET PRINT" funtionality was removed, there’s a VBScript prnjobs.vbs that performs similar tasks.

prnjobs.vbs is located: %windir%System32Printing_Admin_Scriptsen-US

 

NOTE: Run  prnjobs.vbs –?  to display the help info.

 

Where’s the "Administrative Tools" on the Windows 7 Start Menu?

By default, the "Administrative Tools" menu is not displayed in Windows 7 – the "Administrative Tools" needs to be manually added.
 

What happened to the "animated" Network Activity Indicator Icon in the System Tray?  

Ed Bott’s blog has a simple method of restoring this Windows XP Feature.