How to find out if your current PC can run Windows 7
Microsoft have made it incredibly simple to see if your PC or laptop is compatible with the new Windows 7; all you need to do is download the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It scans your PC or laptop for any potential problems with your hardware, devices and installed programs – and then makes recommendations as to what you should do if you wish to upgrade.
The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor checks for any compatibility issues.
Microsoft advise that if your PC is capable of running Windows Vista it can probably run..
Before you begin
Before scanning your PC with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, make sure you power on any USB devices or related devices, such as printers, external hard disks, and scanners, that you regularly use with the PC you’re checking.
Download upgrade advisor now http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15&displaylang=en
Having trouble deciding whether to upgrade to Microsoft’s newest version of Windows? If you are struggling to decide – you may be better off waiting. Upgrading to Windows 7 is not a simple decision for the casual user.
Microsoft has released a free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and that is the best place to begin your upgrade research. You may also want to browse the official information from the Microsoft website.
A word of warning: Vista users get to upgrade while XP users will migrate to the new OS. There is an important difference, as you can see below.
Windows Vista Users — If you have lasted this long with Windows Vista, you may be in no hurry to upgrade. People who like Vista may actually consider running Windows 7 a step backwards in some ways.
The good news is that you can upgrade a Windows Vista machine to Windows 7 with a low level of skill required. A machine currently running Vista will run faster with Windows 7.
Windows XP Users — On the Windows Upgrade Advisor page, Microsoft states: “If your PC can run Windows Vista, it can probably run Windows 7, but it’s still a good idea to use the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.”That means newer Windows XP machines can migrate to Windows 7, perhaps where you chose not to have Windows Vista preinstalled.
However, if you are running a 5-year-old XP machine, I would not expect to upgrade or to have some problems if you do.
Be aware that there is no easy upgrade option for Windows XP to run Windows 7. Here is what Microsoft has to say about it:
“The upgrade option is not available in Windows 7 Setup when installing Windows 7 on a computer running Windows XP. However, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer.
“To do this, you must first copy files to a removable media, such as an external hard drive or UFD, or to a network share. Next, you will install Windows 7 and then migrate your files back from the removable media onto your computer. When you are finished, you must install your software programs again, but your files and settings will have been copied from Windows XP.”
Corporate IT – We will not presume to tell IT Pros whether or not to upgrade. I believe many companies will find the new enterprise features of Windows 7 a valid reason to change, though many may wait until the operating system has been on the market for a while and the presumed issues have been worked out.
Small Business — I view small businesses much like consumers and, to that extent, I don’t recommend upgrading XP machines unless they are recent purchases and you don’t mind having some people running XP and others running Windows 7.
New Computer Buyers — This is definitely the best way to get Windows 7: Preinstalled on a brand new (and faster) PC. If you have had your XP machine for a while, you will be impressed with performance, features, and the low prices now available. This is how Windows 7 has the most benefits of its release.
I am not planning to upgrade my XP or Vista machines to Windows 7. Not because I do not like the new operating system, I just want to avoid unnecessary hassle of running and installing Windows 7.
Slightly older XP machines will not stand the strain of the new OS and my Vista box is finally working the way I want it to. “If it aint broke, don’t fix it”.
Windows 7 is a very nice OS, but upgrading and migrating is not as simple as it might be. Enjoy looking around for a good value machine running Windows 7.
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