Windows 7 – The real info you want.
- Release Date – Expected October 22, 2009.In reality, it will probably be officially released in the first quarter of 2010 to finalize tweaks and positioning within retail stores.
- Can you upgrade to Windows 7? Windows XP users cannot directly upgrade to Windows 7. Instead, they’ll need to back up their files and install Windows 7 fresh. Windows Vista users may make the upgrade jump, especially since Windows 7 only requires only 1GB of RAM as its main requirement.
- Will your software be compatible? Yes, Vista software will be compatible and XP software will be compatible with 7’s “Windows XP mode,” providing a revolutionary virtualization feature to run Windows XP software.
- Should you upgrade to Windows 7? No. Unless you are a computer enthusiast, you should not upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7. Why? Windows 7 is so new and doesn’t validate an upgrade on an existing computer due to possible upgrade quirks and issues. That being said, buying a new computer with Windows 7 preloaded is a good option since the operating system is backwards-compatible with Windows Vista and XP and you’ll enjoy the cool tricks and features.
- What new features are in Windows 7?
- Multi-touch: Use your fingers to click and drag instead of your mouse.
- Taskbar: Hover over an application icon and get a screenshot of the window.
- Music Library: Set up music on your hard drive and external hard drives while appearing only in one Music library folder.
- Windows Media Center: Send video and music to your stereo or other PCs; and play Internet TV.
- Device Stage: Assembles all of your hardware specs in one page and provides helpful vendor guides and support.
- What do the experts think of Windows 7?
We have tested the beta version of Windows 7 and like the speedy startup and shutdown as well as overall stability.
Microsoft 2003 Word, an XP operating system software, actually works in this operating system which is two thumbs up right there. Further, we find the screenshot feature to be very helpful for checking out what info is behind an application window without actually opening up the window. Further, the Device Stage feature worked well when installing a new printer. It provided the latest driver software to install. Overall, we like Windows 7, but as with all new operating systems, feel that it is a good solution when buying a new computer for enthusiasts or home users. But, offices and businesses should wait awhile before standardizing their network with a new operating system since networking and business systems have yet to be tested on this new platform.
