Here Comes Windows 7
by Cate Eales
Appeared September 10, 2009 on castanet.net
Windows 7 is scheduled for release at the end of
October. Here's what you need to know between now and then.
What the heck is Windows 7, and why should I
care?
Windows 7 is the new operating system from Microsoft that will replace
Windows Vista...which was the new operating system from Microsoft that
replaced Windows XP.
The operating system is the heart and soul of your computer. It manages
the hardware and software resources on a computer. It's what makes the
computer understand what you type on the keyboard, and it's what makes
your email program go get your email. On a desktop or laptop computer, you
have to have an operating system in order for anything else to work.
Windows 7 is scheduled to be released October 22. That means that new
computers sold on or after that date will have Windows 7 installed. Most
new computers now have Windows Vista. Many people are still using
computers with good old Windows XP.
You can learn
more about Windows 7 here.
Can I use it instead of Vista?
If your computer is running Windows Vista Home Premium or better, it
should be capable of running Windows 7. I strongly encourage you to run
the
Upgrade Advisor, however, before rushing into anything.
Can I use it instead of XP?
If your computer is running Windows XP, you can run the Upgrade Advisor to
see how the computer would fare under Windows 7. However, in general it is
not going to be a good idea to upgrade. As it says right on
that Microsoft page:
... if you're running Windows XP, or any other
operating system for that matter, we recommend that you experience
Windows 7 on a new PC.
That is certainly my plan.
Do I have to get it now?
Absolutely not. If you are using Vista and you are happy with it, you
don't need to do anything right now. If you want to upgrade to Windows 7,
you will need to purchase a copy, back up your important data, install
Windows 7, and copy your important data to the new installation.
I need a new computer now. Do I have to have
Vista now and buy Windows 7 later?
Many computers being sold now will include an upgrade to Windows 7 when it
becomes available. Sometimes that upgrade is free, sometimes it's not.
Sometimes it's handled right there in the store where you buy your
computer. Other stores tell you to contact Microsoft directly. Some
computers do not come with this upgrade.
Ask the sales person what the policy is for the
computer you are considering, and understand the
answer. Keep asking until you understand. Don't take it for granted that
you are entitled to an upgrade, and don't expect anyone to contact you
when Windows 7 becomes available. You'll have to take the initiative.
If you buy a computer now, even if you don't think you'll ever need to
upgrade, you should obtain the upgrade software. You never know what will
happen in the future.
I like XP. I want to stay with XP.
You can probably do that for a while. You won't be able to buy a computer
with XP installed on it for much longer, and as Windows 7 and Vista become
more dominant you will find it harder to run programs designed for those
more powerful systems on your XP machine. Microsoft will stop supporting
it.
The good news is that if you are clinging to XP because of what you've
heard about Vista, the reviews of Windows 7 describe it as "everything
Vista was supposed to be but wasn't." I'm looking forward to that...on a
new computer.
There's more to know about Windows 7, and I will write more about it in
upcoming columns.
Links
Windows 7 Home
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/home?os=nonwin7
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx
Computer Care Kelowna
http://computercarekelowna.com
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives
http://rlis.com/column.htm
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--
Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your
computer get along!
Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users
and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment
phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and
suggestions. Send email to
help@computercarekelowna.com.
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©
Cate Eales 2009 – All Rights Reserved
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