Windows 7

Posted on 15 Sep 2009 at 10:50

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Whereas Vista introduced broad sweeping changes, Windows 7 focuses on the details. Here we explain how to get the most out of the brand-new update.

Windows 7 is the operating system everyone hoped Vista would be. It irons out the problems experienced with its predecessor, and is easier to use - and on the 22nd October you can try it out. In this comprehensive guide to Windows 7, we explain why you should upgrade, how to install it and how to use the new features.

Version territory

Vista's mess of versions made it difficult to identify the one best suited to your needs. With Windows 7 your choice is considerably easier. There are just three main editions - Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate - plus a Starter Edition, which will be sold with netbooks only. Every higher edition adds new features but, crucially, doesn't remove any. For example, every version of Windows 7 has Media Center built-in, whereas the Business Edition of Vista did not.

The Home Premium edition will be the best choice for most users. The Professional edition just adds features for business networks, while Ultimate has everything (including BitLocker drive encryption) but is the most expensive.

By the buy

As we went to press, there had been no announcements made about OEM editions - where you buy the software with hardware and forgo Microsoft support for a massive discount - so you must decide between the full and upgrade editions. While they are similar, the upgrade edition requires a valid version of XP or Vista and is slightly cheaper. The table below has full details on pricing, but you should hunt around for deals online.

Finally, you can upgrade any edition using Windows Anytime Upgrade without having to reinstall the OS.

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