Traps to Avoid When Buying Windows 7

[MrFawlty]

If you buy the upgrade version but find you can't do an in-place upgrade (Like from XP or the RC edition of 7) then do a clean install, but DON'T put the product key in. Then, when it has finished, put the disc back in and do an 'upgrade' from that. Works like a charm!

 

[JimmiG]

Speaking of hardware, Windows 7 is the first Microsoft OS that does not require a faster processor or more RAM than its predecessor (Vista).

Not true. Vista required an 800 MHz CPU and 512MB of RAM, Win7 a 1 GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM (2GB for 64-bit). Win7 also requires 1GB more free HDD space than Vista.

The reason Win7 is faster at launch than Vista is because the hardware requirements have not gone up *as much* as they did from XP to Vista, allowing even the low-end to catch up. But contrary to popular belief, Win7 is not "slimmer" or smaller than Vista.

 

[Guest]

GPedit.msc is available on Windows 7 Professional (as well as on the Ultimate and Enterprise versions). It is not available on either of the Home versions, nor the Starter version. It's one of those things that makes popping for Professional worth it. Don't bother buying Ultimate unless you need BitLocker as there are no Ultimate "Extras" this time around i.e. no Texas Hold'em game, nor special themes nor wallpaper etc. etc.

 

[Guest]

Wow... are you guys still stuck with Windows?