Windows 7

Finally, Windows 7, the version of Windows I've been waiting for. This version is a great improvement from previous versions. From just the outside looking in, you'll notice it's much more cleaned up looking. The user interface is tidy, and the best thing I like is when looking for a program, it finds it lightning quick. When buying the DVD, it includes 32 bit and 64 bit installations.

Here is a look at the Windows 7 desktop.

For those of you that have Windows Vista, the look and feel is very much the same, almost identical. The big difference between the two is I find Windows & uses a lot less RAM, and CPU to achieve everything that we got in Vista.

The way that Windows 7 really uses RAM to make a system user interface faster is really impressive. For this reason I simply wouldn't run it with less than 4GB or RAM, just make sure you have a 64 bit version of Windows 7 so you can use this memory.

When it comes to networking, Microsoft finally got it. I setup up a bunch of different configurations rebooted any one of the computers at random and everything consistently came back online without any further input from me. This is a first.

Now for the test of time, usually I have to do a reinstall of Windows every year or so. It's been a month with no hitches, I'll let you know as soon as I know if they got that right as well.

It's a brand new operating system, are you running into trouble, try our online computer help.

Installation

I've broken this installation into a step by step format complete with screen shots. The first steps are the input stage that will give Windows the required information to install. To start this, simply put the Windows disk into the drive and restart the computer.

Step 1 - Select time, language, and keyboard.

Step 2 - Start the install.

Step 3 - Read the license agreement, click if you agree, the click next to continue.

Step 4 - Select custom.

Step 5 - Select the drive you would like to install windows onto, the click on drive options.

Step 6 - Click on new to make a new disk partition.

Step 7 - Leave the size at it's default and click apply.

Step 8 - If you get a dialog box that pops up saying windows might create additional partitions, click OK.

Step 9 - You'll see your partitions, click next.

Windows is now installing, give it about 30 minutes then it should be ready for your next input. The next steps are the final steps to get you a desktop.

Step 1 - Type your user name and click next.

Step 2 - Type a password and something to remember it by, click next.

Step 3 - Enter your Windows product key then click next.

Step 4 - Click on use recommended setting.

Step 5 - Adjust your time and time zone for your location, then click next.

Step 6 - Click on the location that matches your computers location.

Step 7 - Update Windows.

That's it, customize it, install the rest of the programs you like to use and enjoy it. If you want some more speed on your new install, you may want to consider using Windows readyboost to make your computer even faster.

Go to Update Windows
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