Below is the top Frequently Asked Questions regarding Windows 7. If you have a specific question that is not outlined below please email us at info@windows7lab.com. 1. What kind of computer do I need to run Windows 7? (Top) Below are the current system recommendations and are subject to change.
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32-bit | 64-bit |
| Processor | 1GHz 32 bit processor | 1GHz 64 bit processor |
| Memory (RAM) | 1GB of RAM | 2GB of RAM |
| Graphics Card | DirectX 9 with WDDM Driver model 1.0 | DirectX 9 with WDDM Driver model 1.0 |
| Hard Drive Space | 16GB | 20GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD | DVD |
Note: Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of "touch," may require advanced or additional hardware.
2. What can I do with a system with the minimum hardware recommendations? (Top)
The recommended hardware setup for Windows 7 is meant for average computing tasks, such as web browsing and word processing. If you plan to play graphically-intensive games or run other hardware-intensive programs, you will need more robust hardware. It will probably be possible to run Windows 7 on a less powerful system than the minimums recommend, but results cannot be guaranteed.
3. Which editions of Windows 7 are available? (Top)
The following Windows 7 editions are available from Microsoft. To learn more about the available editions click here.
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Windows 7 Home Premium
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Windows 7 Professional
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Windows 7 Ultimate
4. What features are available with each Windows 7 edition? (Top)
Each edition of Windows 7 will come with a distinct feature set. As in the past, each successive edition will include the features of the other, typically less expensive, editions.
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Windows 7 Home Premium
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Broad application and device compatibility with unlimited concurrent applications.
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Safe, reliable, and supported.
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Home Group makes it easy to share media, documents, and printers across multiple PCs in offices without a domain.
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Improved Taskbar and Jump Lists.
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Live thumbnail previews and an enhanced visual experience.
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Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing).
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Mobility Center.
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Windows Aero transparent glass design and advanced Windows navigation.
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Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices.
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Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To.
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Multitouch and improved handwriting recognition.
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Windows 7 Professional
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Broad application and device compatibility with unlimited concurrent applications.
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Safe, reliable, and supported.
-
Home Group makes it easy to share media, documents, and printers across multiple PCs in offices without a domain.
-
Improved Taskbar and Jump Lists.
-
Live thumbnail previews and an enhanced visual experience.
-
Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing).
-
Mobility Center.
-
Aero transparent glass design and advanced Windows navigation.
-
Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices.
-
Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To.
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Multitouch and improved handwriting recognition.
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Domain Join enables simple and secure server networking.
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Encrypting File System protects data with advanced network backup.
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Location Aware Printing helps find the right printer when moving between the office and home.
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Windows XP Mode enables customers to run many Windows XP productivity applications.
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Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise
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Broad application and device compatibility with unlimited concurrent applications.
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Safe, reliable, and supported.
-
Home Group makes it easy to share media, documents, and printers across multiple PCs in offices without a domain.
-
Improved Taskbar and Jump Lists.
-
Live thumbnail previews and an enhanced visual experience.
-
Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing).
-
Mobility Center.
-
Aero transparent glass design and advanced Windows navigation.
-
Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices.
-
Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To.
-
Multitouch and improved handwriting recognition.
-
Domain Join enables simple and secure server networking.
-
Encrypting File System protects data with advanced network backup.
-
Location Aware Printing helps find the right printer when moving between the office and home.
-
Windows XP Mode enables customers to run many Windows XP productivity applications.
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BitLocker protects data on removable devices.
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DirectAccess links users to corporate resources from the road without a virtual private network (VPN).
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BranchCache makes if faster to open files and Web pages from a branch office.
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AppLocker easily restricts unauthorized software and enables greater security.
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Note: Windows 7 Ultimate includes all Windows 7 Enterprise features, plus multiple-language packs.
Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise Broad application and device compatibility with unlimited concurrent applications. X X X Safe, reliable, and supported. X X X Home Group makes it easy to share media, documents, and printers across multiple PCs in offices without a domain. X X X Improved Taskbar and Jump Lists. X X X Live thumbnail previews and an enhanced visual experience. X X X Advanced networking support (ad hoc wireless networks and Internet connection sharing). X X X Mobility Center. X X X Aero transparent glass design and advanced Windows navigation. X X X Easy networking and sharing across all your PCs and devices. X X X Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To. X X X Multitouch and improved handwriting recognition. X X X Domain Join enables simple and secure server networking. X X Encrypting File System protects data with advanced network backup. X X Location Aware Printing helps find the right printer when moving between the office and home. X X Windows XP Mode enables customers to run many Windows XP productivity applications. X X BitLocker protects data on removable devices. X DirectAccess links users to corporate resources from the road without a virtual private network (VPN). X BranchCache makes if faster to open files and Web pages from a branch office. X AppLocker easily restricts unauthorized software and enables greater security. X
5. Will my programs work in Windows 7? (Top)
Click here to download a free windows 7 compatibility checking tool available from Microsoft. This tool will scan all of your systems hardware, attached devices, and programs & notifies you if there are any known incompatibilities.
6. Is it possible to test Windows 7? (Top)
Yes, if you have a Microsoft Live ID you can click here to download a free 90-day trial of enterprise, both 32 and 64 bit. It is a downloadable .iso that must be burned to a dvd as a bootable disc (or to a flash drive) before installing. It is recommended that you are an advanced user to complete the installation.
7. When does the Release Candidate expire? (Top)
March 1, 2010.
8. How much does Windows 7 cost? (Top)
Full Versions (as of 11/24/09):
- Home Premium – $199.99
- Professional – $299.99
- Ultimate - $319.99
Upgrades (as of 11/24/09):
- Home Premium - $119.99
- Professional - $199.99
- Ultimate – $219.99
There are a lot of new shortcuts to save you time in Windows 7. A few of our favorites are:
- Win + Up – Maximize Current Window
- Win + Down – Restore, or Minimize Current Window
- Win + Left or Right – Snap active window to the left or right side of the screen
- Win + Space – Aero Peek at the desktop
- Win + Shift + Up – Stretch a window to the top/bottom of the screen
- Win + Shift + Left or Right – Move a window to the left or right monitor (Multi-Monitor setups only)
- “Shake” a window by its menu bar to hide all other open windows. Shake again to restore.
- Win + Tab – Windows Flip3D (a very fancy alt-tab)
- Drag a program shortcut to the taskbar – Pins the program
- Win + T – Selects the taskbar, so you can navigate with the arrow keys
- Shift + L-Click or Middle-Click on a pinned program – Launch a 2nd instance of the program
- Ctrl + Shift + L-Click on a pinned program – Launch program with admin rights
- Ctrl + L-Click on a pinned program, cycle through the active windows one by one (similar to alt-tab)
10. Can I change the picture on my login screen? (Top)
This feature is included in Windows 7, but is intended for use by OEM’s for branding purposes. However, you can find a guide by clicking here.
Or there is a user made app that you can find by clicking here which will allow you to change the logon screen to any image you’d like.
11. How can I monitor my system's performance with Windows 7? (Top)
There are some very powerful monitoring tools included with Windows 7, like Resource Monitor, Performance Monitor, and Reliability Monitor. There is also a CPU/Memory desktop gadget. Click here to try out other user made performance monitors, which sit neatly in your taskbar.
12. Will my applications be compatible with Windows 7? (Top)
Microsoft has found over 800,000 applications that are compatible with windows 7, and 9,000 have already been given windows 7 certification & logo. Click here to download a PDF with a listing of applications that have been given Windows 7 certification. Click here to download the related release notes.