Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

The next operating system from Microsoft is called Windows 7. It’s not the 7th version of MS Windows, it’s just a name. The big debut is October 22nd, if you buy a new computer now, you can get a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it’s released.

Should you upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 7 when it comes out? The short answer is yes! Windows 7 is the most polished and finished product Microsoft has released in a long time. 7 was beta tested by millions and even when the beta version came out, it was a very stable platform. Many have said, “It’s what Vista was meant to be.”

If you’re already running Vista your hardware will run Windows 7 no problem. Most modern computers running XP shouldn’t have a problem. Windows 7 can run on a 1 mhz processor with 1 gb of ram and you only need 16 gb of free disk space. That’s for the 32bit Windows 7, 64 bit requires a little more, but not much. Don’t get the 64 bit unless you know what your doing. The majority of people only get the 64 bit system because they think more is better.

If you don’t have more than 4 gb RAM in your machine a 64 bit system is a waste. Even with more RAM only certain programs will take advantage of a 64 bit system. Unless you’re doing a lot of video editing and converting, you probably don’t need a 64 bit system. Your Internet won’t run any faster on a 64 bit than a 32 bit. And there are still reports of certain programs having problems with 64 bit systems. If you really want one, I’d wait another year.

If you have Vista, find Windows 7 on sale somewhere, buy it, install it and enjoy your computer again. I actually like Vista now. After a couple of Service Packs for Vista, it runs good, not great, but better than before and I didn’t mind the User Access Control prompts, they may have been a pain, but they kept you safe. Get 7, be safe have a fast computer again with all of the eye candy of Vista and more.

If you have XP, find Windows 7 on sale somewhere. Seriously, unless your machine is seriously under-powered and doesn’t meet the minimums, get 7. Windows 7 is more stable, safer and faster than XP. Yes, faster.

The hardware and device driver problems that plagued Vista’s release are non-existent for Windows 7 because any driver for Vista, can be used in 7 and by now, most hardware has a driver for Vista. If you have some ancient program that will only run in XP, Windows 7 will come with an XP emulator. Actually a Virtual Machine that will run real XP so you can run your program. You need an extra gigabyte of ram if you have to use that feature.

Microsoft says you can upgrade from Vista to Windows 7, but you can’t upgrade from XP. Reality is – You should really start fresh no matter what version you’re upgrading from. Backup all of your data, Install 7, reinstall programs and data. If you pick a Custom install, Windows will move your old Windows system to another directory and give you a choice when you reboot, if you want to use Windows 7 or your “Old Windows”. In my opinion it’s the best way to install 7. Backup your data, just in case.

Microsoft has also entered the anti-virus game. When your current anti-virus subscription runs out or if you’re not running any anti-virus program download Microsoft Security Essentials. Antivirus, spyware, and general malware taken care of. It runs silent and won’t bug you unless it’s necessary. It won’t slow your system down and you won’t even notice it. You should have Windows Firewall, Security Essentials and Windows Update all turned on and doing those three will protect you from most anything out there and you can dump all of the Norton and Mcafee or whatever security your paying money for. If you’re at home get a router to use as a hardware firewall.

There are a few things left out of Windows 7, like Outlook Express, which is a good thing. After installing Windows 7, if you want email on your local PC instead of online – go to http://get.live.com and download an email client, photo gallery and a few other programs you may need and don’t forget Microsoft Security Essentials and download extra themes at Personalization Gallery.

Also, don’t be confused by what version, if you have any version of Windows get the upgrade and get Home Premium. If you’re using it at home and even on a home network, you only need Home Premium. The other versions have corporate features like Active Domain which unless you have a Windows Server at home, you won’t ever use.

Windows 7 – Definitely worth the upgrade and it’s worth the time to backup your data and install a new operating system, you’ll be glad you did. If you have any questions about Windows 7 or upgrading let me know in the comments or the contact page.