windows 7 desktop

[ruble]

do I need to run windows 7 on desktop & laptop. To get them to connect.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, each machine needs its own OS.

What are you actually trying to do?

 

[orlbuckeye]

How do you want them to connect? If on the same network no they don't have to be the same OS. A windows 8 machine will connect to a Windows 7 machine if the network is properly set up.