How Do You Upgrade Your Computer To Windows 7

Lesson 2: Upgrading to Windows seven

/en/windows7/exploring-windows-vii/content/

Introduction

Now that y'all have explored what Windows 7 has to offer, nosotros can assist you understand what's involved in moving to this operating system.

In this lesson, we volition review the various versions of Windows 7 and the organisation requirements for running the operating system. We will discuss the process of upgrading and whatever considerations you need to exist aware of before switching to Windows seven.

Note: Windows 10 was released in July 2015. Since it uses the same system requirements as Windows seven, yous might consider upgrading to Windows ten instead. Visit our Windows 10 tutorial to learn more than.

Windows seven versions and pricing

The major upgrade versions of Windows 7 are Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. Home Premium is the nigh popular version of Windows seven and will likely suit the needs of about users. The Professional version may appeal to owners of small to medium-sized businesses considering it has extras like Windows XP mode and networking backup features. Ultimate is the well-nigh powerful version, with added security features like Bitlocker and the flexibility of use in 35 languages.

Windows 7 Desktop Major upgrade versions

You may come up across a Windows vii Starter version. This version is made for smaller laptops (sometimes called netbooks) and will accept limited operation and features compared to Dwelling Premium.
There is likewise a Windows seven Domicile Premium Family Pack ($149.99) for upgrading up to three PCs in a home.
Full versions of the above products are more expensive but will only be required if y'all are non already running Windows XP or Vista.

Windows 7 requirements for upgrade

In order to run Windows 7, your PC must have the post-obit:

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-fleck) or 2GB RAM (64-scrap)
16GB available hard disk infinite (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit)
DirectX ix graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Additional Organisation Requirements may be needed to run certain features.

Windows seven Upgrade Counselor

Microsoft is providing a tool called the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor so customers tin can determine if their PCs are able to run Windows 7. Information technology is a good idea to download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before upgrading. Information technology will analyze your figurer'south processor, memory, storage, graphics capabilities, and any other compatibility problems. If possible, it will also provide guidance for resolving bug.

Please notation that you should plug in and connect all USB devices, printers, and external hard drives when running the Upgrade Counselor. This will provide the best analysis of your system.

Windows Experience Alphabetize

The Windows Feel Index is another indicator of how well your estimator will reply to Windows vii. The Windows Feel Alphabetize tests your system and rates it with a score of betwixt 1 and vii.9. The college the score, the meliorate your computer's functioning. Some Windows vii features, like Aero, demand a score of at least 3 to run.

To check your Windows Experience Alphabetize, click the Start Menu and select Computer. The Computer window will announced.
Select System Properties in the push button bar at the top of the screen. The System Window displays your computer'southward Windows Experience Index rating. It also shows other organization info, including whether your estimator has a 32-bit or 64-scrap processor.
Viewing Organisation Properties
Select the Windows Feel Alphabetize link to view the ratings of the individual estimator components that are scored. The rating is determined by the lowest subscore.
Explanation of Windows Feel Index

In this case, a score of 4.3 should exist sufficient to experience most of the new Windows 7 features. If your organisation scores lower than a three, you lot may miss out on some of the digital media and graphics features, including Window's Aero.

What to consider earlier you upgrade

Once you take run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and reviewed your system's Windows Experience Alphabetize, yous volition accept a ameliorate idea of how Windows vii will perform on your reckoner. Merely to be sure, hither are a few things to consider:

Do you have a 32-scrap or 64-chip processor? The 64-chip processor can handle larger amounts of data and increment the responsiveness of the computer. Windows 7 can run on 32-bit and 64-fleck computers, merely some features may not perform as well on 32-fleck computers.
Will you be upgrading from XP or Vista? Windows 7 was designed to be upgraded from Vista. If you lot are currently using the XP operating system, your upgrade experience may be complicated. You will have to support your current files, programs, and settings and do a custom (clean) installation. Microsoft has subtly suggested that XP users should consider getting a new PC for Windows 7. If this is not an option and you are going to practise a custom (clean) installation, yous may want to go help from a computer service professional.
Are you interested in gaming, multimedia, and Windows Touch? With Windows seven, Microsoft improved graphics capabilities for gaming and the multimedia features of Windows Media Player. Additionally, Windows 7 has touch-screen capability. If these digital media features are important to y'all, make sure to review the Additional System Requirements before upgrading.
Using Windows vii on a touch screen
Do you lot currently use Windows Mail or Outlook Express? Windows Postal service and Outlook Express are not bachelor on Windows vii. Yous will need to supervene upon them with Windows Alive Mail or another email program.

What kind of upgrade do you need?

If you are currently using Windows Vista, your upgrade experience should be easy. If you have XP, upgrading will probable be more complicated. Either way, information technology is probably best to download and run the Windows Upgrade Advisor before proceeding.

Based on the current version of your operating system, you will need to figure out if you take to perform a unproblematic upgrade or a custom (clean) installation. Yous can visit Microsoft's Upgrade to Windows 7 page to determine which type of upgrade you demand and what boosted information should be considered before performing the upgrade.

Even if you practice non need to do the custom (make clean) installation, information technology is a good idea to back up your files before upgrading. For more data, read Protecting Your Computer in our Computer Nuts tutorial.

Microsoft provides instructions for doing a custom (make clean) installation. Even so, you may desire to consider using a figurer service professional person if you are not comfortable with this process.

Windows versions

Once yous accept determined which Windows seven version you want and what kind of upgrade yous need to perform, you can go to a retail outlet or visit the Microsoft Shop online to purchase your upgrade.

Conclusion

At present that you know what it takes to upgrade, you accept a better idea of whether Windows 7 is right for you. Depending on your circumstances, upgrading may be an easy or complicated process. Equally previously mentioned, you should weigh whatsoever complications you may feel with your desire for the improvements and features Windows seven has to offer. Time and toll are also factors, specially if you lot are because purchasing a new computer.

Windows 7 Desktop