Upgrade Windows 7 smoothly with proper set of hardware configuration.
Microsoft’s latest operating system is quite demanding as far as hardware configuration is concerned. It needs fast processor and lots of free available space, without with it may freeze during booting or may not install at all.
You can take assistance of Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see whether your system meets the minimum requirements. Get it downloaded from the official Microsoft website. You need following hardware for Windows 7 installation :
a) 1 GHZ or faster 32 bit or 64 bit processor
b) 1 GB RAM (32 bit)/2 GB RAM (64 bit)
c) 16 GB (32 bit) or 20 GB (64 bit) available free space.
d) DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
From above, you can easily decide which version of the Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) your system processor can support. And also the virualization mode is available on your system or not. This allows you to run Windows XP software in Windows 7 ‘Compatibility mode’.
Windows 7 can be downloaded from Microsoft’s own e-store or from a DVD. After downloading Windows 7 you can create a bootable USB drive. You can follow step-by-step instructions how to create a bootable USB drive. You can also make use of your friend’s external DVD drive.
Always follow the clean install for Windows 7. Take a back up of all your data to CD’s or DVD’s. In most simple way you can take a disk image of your XP machine.
However you can make use of Macrium Reflect and DriveImageXML software to take back up of your computer. This software runs on XP and creates an image of your hard drive on CD’s or DVD’s.
The Windows version which are available in different prices are – Windows 7 Home Premium ($120), Windows 7 Professional ($200) and Ultimate ($220). These are the prices as of July 2009. The 32-bit and 64-bit versions are included. For step-by-step instructions how to perform the upgrade you can visit Microsoft’s step-by-step Windows 7 Upgrade and Migration site.
After the complete installation of the OS and all application software, check if all your XP software will run on Windows 7. If any software does not run, enter the ‘compatibility mode’ by right clicking on the program icon and select ‘Properties’, then click ‘Compatibility’ tab. Next check the ‘Run this program in compatibility mode’ box. In the drop-down list, choose Windows XP. Remember your processor has to support virtualization mode as outlined in step 1.
If your PC can’t run in ‘compatibility mode’ you can install free virtualization software on Windows 7, such as Sun’s VirtualBox.
How to Upgrate to Windows 7 Smoothly?
Microsoft To Launch Windows Mobile 7 In Early 2010
Microsoft has been quiet about its plans for Windows Mobile 7, but Microsoft could launch the long-awaited mobile operating system next year.
A new product called Office Mobile 2010 is described as a "mobile companion" for Excel, Word, Powerpoint, OneNote and Sharepoint in a presentation shown to partners. Microsoft has said that Office Mobile 2010 will run on Windows Mobile 7 and Windows Mobile 7 will be launched to manufacturing in early 2010.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's has said that Microsoft would ship Windows Mobile 7 sometime in early 2010. Also, Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha has said that Motorola will focus on Windows Mobile at the time of Windows Mobile 7 launch.
Windows Mobile 6.5 was launched by Microsoft in May 2009, but the devices with Windows Mobile 6.5 were not available until October 2009. Windows Mobile 6.5 includes features such as 'Touch-Screen' user interface and navigation.
Some of the Microsoft partners have been unhappy with Windows Mobile 6.5 and they are hoping that Microsoft can deliver a better mobile operating system than Windows Mobile 6.5. One partner of Microsoft has said that everyone is trying to hold their breath for Windows Mobile 7.
Windows Mobile 7 devices won't arrive until spring 2010 unless Microsoft finds some way to speed up the time between RTM and devices hitting store shelves and that could cause Microsoft to comedown further back in the smartphone market.
In some ways, the situation is similar to the one Microsoft now faces with Windows 7. Microsoft had to come through with a solid follow-up with Windows 7 after giving a calamity of Windows Vista. Scott Stanfield, CEO of Vertigo Software, expects the same pattern to hold true with Windows Mobile 7 and also expects that Windows Mobile 7 will be well received as Windows 7 has been.
