How to Upgrade to Windows 7

Microsoft’s much anticipated Windows 7 operating system is now on the scene and many XP and Vista users are ready to make the switch. Reviews have been very positive and it appears Windows 7 will be a refreshing change for Vista users.

If you are running Windows Vista now, your computer will probably be able to run Windows 7 without problems. If not, follow these steps to see if your PC, laptop or netbook will be able to run Microsoft’s latest operating system.

• Plug in and turn on any external drives, printers, cameras, scanners or other USB devices that you normally use with your computer, and then download and install the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft’s website. The download is 6.3MB and will take about 4 minutes on a 256K DSL/Cable connection.
• If you don’t have .NET Framework 2.0 installed on a Windows XP system, you will be prompted to download and install it. After .NET Framework is installed, restart the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor installation. After the installation is complete, launch the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and follow the directions. Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will scan your hardware, programs and devices to see if your system can run Windows 7.
• After a few minutes, Upgrade Advisor will tell you if your computer meets the minimum system requirements to run Windows 7, and if there are any compatibility issues with your programs or devices. If there are issues, Upgrade Advisor will tell you what you can do to fix the problems. For example, it may let you know that you need updated drivers for your video card or printer, and where to get them.
• If your computer is compatible with Windows 7, Upgrade Advisor will give you specific Windows 7 upgrade options for your computer. If your PC does not meet the minimum system requirements, and you really want to try Windows 7, consider upgrading your memory, video card, processor or hard drive as necessary, or purchase a new or used computer or laptop that can run Windows 7.

System requirements for Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:
Windows Vista or Windows XP Service Pack 2 with .NET 2.0 Framework or higher.

Basic system requirements for Windows 7:
1GHZ CPU (processor), 1GB RAM, 16GB free hard drive space, DirectX 9 graphics card with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.

About the Author

Kim Linton is a freelance writer who covers a wide variety of topics including Christianity, technology and industry trends. Her work has been featured on major news outlets including The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and has been published on a variety of niche sites including Woman's Day and Intel.