As people get ready to buy Windows 7 a question mark may still hang over whether your PC is capable of running it. Fortunately, as with previous editions of Windows, Microsoft have released an upgrade advisor that you can download here.
They say…
In general, if your PC can run Windows Vista, it can run Windows 7. But if you’re not running Windows Vista, or are just not sure if your system is ready to run Windows 7, there’s a quick way to do a simple check.
Just download, install, and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta. You’ll get a report telling you if your PC can run Windows 7 and if there are any known compatibility issues. If an issue can be resolved, you’ll get suggestions for next steps. For example, it may let you know that you need an updated driver for your printer and where to get it.
and the very sensible advice.
Before you run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta, be sure to plug in any USB devices or other devices such as printers, external hard drives, or scanners that are regularly used with the PC you’re evaluating.
Although still in beta it’s extremely capable and very user friendly. After installing it you simply have to click a Start Check button and within a couple of minutes you’ll get a plain and simple report.
I have to say this is a much better upgrade advisor than Microsoft have released previously. The information it provides is clearer, simpler to read and understand and, as in the example below, completely accurate.
The acid test is to be certain yourself that Windows 7 will run on your PC. Microsoft say the minimum requirements are…
For quick reference, here are the Windows 7 System Requirements:
- 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1GB RAM (32-bit) / 2GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Which I would say, on past experience, is what you need to have Windows 7 run like a lame dog. Ideally, and this is only my opinion, you should have a 1.6GHz processor and 2Gb of RAM to get a happy experience.
On performing the upgrade itself they say.
And while we don’t recommend it, should you choose to upgrade your current PC from Windows XP or another operating system to Windows 7, we recommend that you get help with this process from your local computer service provider. You’ll need to back up your current files and settings, perform a custom (clean) installation, and then reinstall your files, settings, and programs.
Which, apart from being written in terrible English, is sound advice.
Microsoft also make the point that this is not a finished product so it might, just might, get something wrong with your hardware and/or software.
