Windows 7

Windows 7 is Microsoft’s latest version of its Windows operating system. Unlike its predecessor, Vista, Windows 7 offers incremental upgrades and is aimed at ensuring maximum compatibility with applications and hardware already supported in windows Vista.

System Requirements

If you are currently running Windows Vista, then you can easily install Windows 7. Tests performed by various parties have consistently confirmed that Windows 7 outperformed Windows Vista on a similar hardware configuration. If you are coming from previous versions of Windows (pre-Vista), take note of the following suggested hardware requirements:

• 1 GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor

• 1 GB RAM (for 32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (for 64-bit)

• 16 GB of available disk space (for 32-bit) or 20 GB of available disk space (for 64 bit)

• DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 or higher (for Aero. Aero is the graphical user interface and default theme in most editions of Windows 7)

Commonly available editions of windows 7

1) Home Basic

This edition is designated for emerging markets only; it is for customers who are looking for an inexpensive entry-level Windows experience (limited Aero support, no features such as Windows Media Center or multitouch support).

2) Home Premium

This edition is designed for home users and will include features like Media Center, multitouch support, the Aero Glass UI, and so on.

3) Professional

This edition is designed for home workers and small businesses, and will include features like advanced network backup and the Encrypting File System.

4) Enterprise

Includes everything that Professional includes and adds BitLocker protection. It will have the option to encrypt USB flash drives and external hard disks. It also includes DirectAccess, which allows remote workers to access a company network securely without using a VPN, and federated search.

5) Ultimate

Includes all the features available in Windows 7.

Installing Windows 7

It is straightforward—if you’re doing a clean install, simply boot up your computer with the Windows 7 installation DVD inside the DVD drive and instruct your computer to boot from the DVD (you may need to press a key, such as F11 or F12, while the computer is starting to enter the boot selection screen).

While installing you will have a choice between upgrading your existing Windows or installing a fresh copy of Windows. Installing a fresh copy of Windows is recommended.

Windows 7 32 or 64-bit?

When deciding to move up to a 64- bit operating system, you should first consider what 64- bit gets you. Knowing what software runs on 64- bit should influence your decision; you will see no advantage if you are running 32-bit software on a 64- bit OS. You also lose the ability to run 16- bit software

More bits gets you access to more memory; the processor inside your PC communicates with your system memory (RAM) with numeric addressing. Thus, the maximum amount of memory a 32-bit processor can address is 4
gigabytes. Newer 64-bit processors can address 17,179,869,184 gigabytes (16 exabytes) of RAM.

During installing

Select this for 32 bit computer (32-bit (x86) architecture)

Select this for 64 bit computer (64-bit (x64) architecture)

Some of features of windows 7

Taskbar

The taskbar is now more than just a windows-switcher—it is also an application launcher.

Libraries

The Libraries is a new feature in Windows 7. Using the Libraries, you can group your files and folders into logical units so they are easier to manage.

Desktop Gadgets

Gadgets in Windows 7 now have a new lease on life. In Windows Vista, gadgets were constrained to the Sidebar, which was never really a popular feature among people with small-screen computers (netbooks and small portable computers). In Windows 7, gadgets are free to roam about on your desktop