Things to Consider before Upgrading to Windows 7
October 26, 2009 
13 Comments
As you may be aware, it is our goal to pass along our experiences with Windows 7 in order to give you an honest assessment of the operating system. We are going through the process of figuring out Windows 7 just like any other user, so if you are thinking of getting the new OS you can take advantage of our insights and blunders. With that in mind, here are a few things you need to know before upgrading:
Will you be upgrading from XP or Vista? Windows 7 was designed to be upgraded from Vista and Microsoft is subtly suggesting that XP users should consider getting a new PC for Windows 7. If you are an XP user, the process of upgrading will be more complicated and may require the help of a computer service professional. At the minimum, it will require backing up your current files, programs and settings and doing a custom (clean) installation.
Are the digital media features important to you? Streaming TV on Windows Media Player, experiencing high quality gaming graphics and interacting with a Touch Screen are all cool Windows 7 features that have been marketed by Microsoft. However, these digital media features may require additional hardware and a computer with higher performance standards. If you are interested in these features, then it would be wise to research their additional requirements before buying.
How well will Windows 7 perform on your computer? If your Windows Experience Index rating is less than 3, then the graphics and Aero features of Windows 7 will not work. In addition, you may have less performance if you have a 32-bit processor rather than a 64-bit processor. To see how well Windows 7 will perform on your computer, you can download and run the Windows Upgrade Advisor. It will assess your system and offer any possible trouble-shooting advice.
To find out more, visit our Windows 7 Topic Page.
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Hello, I downloaded a Windows 7 “advisor”, from Microsoft, it scans your computer to see what you need in order to upgrade, and gives you a checklist.
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To change your password – press the CTRL+ALT+DELETE keys at the same time, then select “Change Password”. This works the same in most versions of Windows.
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