Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Upgrade Edition for XP or Vista users (PC DVD), 1 User

I have been looking forward to the release of this edition.
I refused to upgrate from Windowns XP Pro to Vista on such poor remarks from everyone so I jumped in on the first day of release and went for the Pro version again.

The advantage of the Pro version is, even for home users, is that you get so much more and if like me you have several computers and a newish TV that you can connect to a home network, the possibilities are much more broad.

With my kids and my wife and a dedicated 2nd comp for my website stuff we have a home network of 5 computers, we then have a Sony TV in the loungh which is connected to the network, even the Sony BlueRay DVD machine has a netword connection so this also is connected to the home network. (If you even look at the back of your Sky HD-TV box you will find a network connection for future expansion - so much more is being connected to other computers and linking together). Easily now I can pass files, photo, music whatever to my kids computers, you can connect a hard-drive to the network and everyone can back up files to it, even to an other computer in your kids bedroom easily. Dont ever let your comp go down now without at least 2 other backups in the house.

So apart from Win7 being just fantastic as a interface with your comp, this version after 3 weeks working with it is just so really really brill. Miles better than XP and that is still cracking!

The way I did my upgrade, well not an upgrade really but a total install from scratch.
Back up your documents/important files, I then did a format of the hard drive I was going to use to install Win7 onto so it would be fresh/new. Installed clean version of Win7 to the hard drive and then re-copied my documents and files back.

Win7 Pro comes with 32 bit and 64 bit DVD's. I installed the 64 bit version as its the future and it can recognise more memory than 3.5gb. I have now installed 4gb extra memory and run at 8gb. Check if you are thinking of the Home version as it is 32bit version only and as such can only read a max of 3.5gb. Win7 also lets you add a USB memory devise as a booster. Stick in a USB module (I put in a 4gig stick into a spare USB port at the back of the computer) this is then used to swop/page files to by windows to boost performance as it can read USB memory cards faster than hard drives.

The only problem I had with the 64 bit version was (a) Flash on websites do not work. Wait though cos Win 64 version installs a 32 bit and 64 bit version of Windows Explorer 8. So even from your 64 bit version of Win7 you can run Explorer 32bit version and full flash content is on site. Adobe website says it is working on a 64 bit version of flash that will be available soon, then you will be able to run the 64 bit version of Win Explorer and get flash content. The speed of Win7 64bit is the future and more and more programmes will be formulated in 64 bit format for super speed. There was 1 other slight problem with a Family Tree programme I was running but the site had a 64bit fix and now runs great.

Install of the 64 bit version went like clockwork, I did not have to download a single system driver and I can honestly recommend Win7 Pro to anyone.

I have heard some horror stories on other reviews here but I just cannot comprehend those remarks as I just think this programme is FANTASTIC.

I give Win7, 7 out of 7.

Thanks.
Colin.

Seems to be a better product than is predecessor (Vista) which had a number of problems running older software. I don't think there are many benefits at the moment over Windows XP so if you are running XP satisfactorily then stick with it for a while yet.

Vista was a good operating system but had problems that could cripple ones head! This new Windows 7 version is a nice polished cleaner product that doesn't hog your system's memory and its directx 11 is a nice bonus as it enhances the graphics of your system. The install is an easy process, and a internet connection is needed to recieve any updates from microsoft. I did a upgrade install, which is an install from vista buissness to windows 7 proffessional, though a clean install option is given. Be sure to backup your system before you install(you need a external hard drive or lots of DVDs as backup takes up huge space) and the install software will check if your system can even install windows 7(which you should check before buying) and after a few minutes of checking any software conflicts, which a few came up (like itunes), the install process br=egan. This takes a couple of hours which you are not prompted to do anything so just leave it be as it installs. just make sure your system is not sceduled to go into standby or anything. After install i checked out the features which were great! stuff like the taskbar and windows media player looked cool and the system seemed faster doing things. Another thing new is the media center which is beyond cool and takes time seting up but its worth it. invest in a tv tuner and you reap its benefits.
overall great features like windows peek and shaking are alright if not heartstopping! windows flip 3D is still there along with other vista stuff. Great product!