Downloads Show Strong Interest In Windows 7

Know What You’re Getting Before You Install Windows 7 RC

The freebie isn’t without some issues, however. If you want to install Windows 7 RC, you’ll need to give up the operating system you have. Installing the release candidate isn’t a matter of installing it on top of whatever you’re running. The required “fresh” installation of Windows 7 RC means that you’ll lose all of your applications and settings.

You’ll need to reinstall everything once you’ve got the new OS loaded.
Microsoft also says that there will be no “upgrade” from the release candidate to the actual release, meaning that you’ll have to do another install. Windows 7 RC has other potentially irritating “features” you’ll want to be aware of. The release candidate license expires on June 1, 2010, and when Microsoft says “expires” it means “expires.” Your system will no longer boot on the release candidate after that point, and you’ll need to upgrade or revert to a licensed version of the OS.

Beginning on March 1, 2010, installed versions of the Windows 7 release candidates will start to reboot every two hours. By itself, this will be a tremendous nuisance, but it should also assure you that Microsoft plans to have a fully operational version of Windows 7 on the market by that time. If you plan to purchase the actual licensed version of Windows 7, this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you were planning to use the freebie release for a long time, think again.

For the most part, you should be able to use Vista drivers with Windows 7 RC. Windows 7 is built on Vista, so there should be a high degree of compatibility between the release candidate and the final version. Don’t expect manufacturers to release much in the way of drivers prior to the actual release, but rest assured, they’re working on any updates that need to be made to enable their products to work on Windows 7.

If you’re concerned about the Windows 7-readiness of your computer, check out the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, preferably before you download the release candidate. The Upgrade Advisor will let you know exactly what you need to do to your computer to get it ready for the Windows 7 product. Microsoft hasn’t yet announced a firm release date, but many analysts believe that the fourth quarter of 2009 is a good bet, and Windows 7 on store shelves in time for the Christmas holiday almost a sure thing.

Photo Credit: Raul P.

Windows 7 Tool Tells You If Your PC Is Windows 7-Ready

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Microsoft has created a Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor tool to help you determine what you’ll need to do to your PC to get it ready for the next release of the Windows Operating System. Like the Windows 7 Release Candidate, the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is a beta, but it will work well enough to guide you through the process of getting your PC ready for Windows 7.

Right now, Windows 7 Release Candidate is available as a free download. Unlike previous release candidates, this one comes with a full license that expires August 1, 2010, so you’ll have more than a year to work with the OS before you decide what you want to do.

If you download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, the software will scan your existing computer setup, including hardware and software, looking for issues that may prevent your current equipment or your favorite applications from working properly.

You can find the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor here. Once you have it installed, it will take just a few minutes to determine whether your computer needs upgrade work or is already good-to-go. For the most part, if you’re already running Windows Vista, you shouldn’t have any migration issues – at least not that are related to the hardware you’re running!

When the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor is running, you’ll be asked to connect all of your peripheral devices so that they can be included in the scan. Don’t forget to connect the devices that are connected to your computer only periodically, like digital cameras and MP3 players.

After the scan is complete, the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will let you know what will still work and what (if anything) should be upgraded. You’ll see a variety of upgrade options and information on how to correct any potential issues the Upgrade Advisor turns up before you install Windows 7.

One side note: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor does send information about your computer back to Microsoft, but nothing that will be used to identify you or contact you. Microsoft will use the information it receives to plan and improve the production version of Windows 7.

Photo Credit: Microsoft