Windows 7 Install on a PC

As soon as Microsoft released its latest OS, Windows 7, being a technician I started getting e-mails & calls from a bunch of people who wanted to get install this new operating system on their PC. I was a big fan of Windows XP (before Windows 7 release) and always believed that nothing can be better than XP. That is the reason, why I never tried using Windows Vista. So I’ve decided to do a complete research on Windows 7 before I wipe out my XP and install it on my PC. On completion, I found that Microsoft has done a great job. The latest Windows 7 is far better than Windows Vista and has a number of improved features.
Though, Windows 7 is a comprehensive OS, however, there are still few limitations which I’ll discuss later most probably at the end of my blog.
Windows 7 doesn’t allow you to perform upgrade also known as in-place upgrade, if you are currently running Windows XP. So does it mean you’ll have wiped out all your data? Not at all! Windows XP users can migrate to Windows 7 but they have to complete a little exercise. Windows 7 includes a Migration utility for XP users so before performing a clean installation, you must backup of your data and settings by using Windows 7 migration tool. On the other hand, existing users of Windows Vista have an advantage of in-place upgrade.
Being an XP user, I’m writing these general steps, which will help you in performing clean installation of Windows 7 on your XP PC.
Note: Before you start installing Windows 7, I would like to suggest you few things, which you must verify, such as, minimum hardware requirements to run Windows 7, availability of device drivers, a valid product key and which version to install. If you know the answers of above mentioned questions, you are on the right track.
Here are the instructions that you can follow while installing Windows 7:
STEP 1. Insert the Windows 7 setup disc into computer’s DVD/CD drive and boot from it.
STEP 2. On the “Install Windows” page click on Install now.
STEP 4. Read the “License term” page and accept it by clicking on “I accept”.
STEP 5. Select “Custom installation type” on the next page (Recommended).
STEP 6. Install Windows on a specific partition if you’ve created one.
STEP 7. After that you will notice Installing Windows 7 screen. The setup will proceed further and take several minutes to copy files, expand files, install features, install updates and complete the installation. Do not interrupt in between the process. Enter your user & computer name when prompted then select next. Enter your serial Key. Select your update settings. Change Time & Date settings if require then select your Wireless network from the list and security key if applicable.
STEP 8. On a successful installation, run Windows 7 migration tool and install Windows XP data and settings.
Features
There is a wide range of features, which have been added by Microsoft, thus giving you the reason to opt for new Windows 7. Some of its extraordinary features are: Libraries, Multi-touch technology, Instant search, Remote Media Streaming, Windows XP mode and many more.
Usability
There is no doubt that Windows 7 is more than an operating system. Its unique features and various editions will be definitely appreciated by the Microsoft consumers. This time it’s fast, secure, reliable and stylish and most importantly compatible with most of the hardware & software pieces unlike Windows Vista.
Limitation
However, there are certain limitations of Windows 7 that you must be aware of. At first in order to install Windows 7, your PC needs to be a powerful machine that is why most of the people may avoid installing this latest OS. It’s been reported that your favorite XP compatible programs might not work in Windows 7 environment. This is the reason that Microsoft has added XP mode feature. There are total six editions of Windows 7 out of which only three are available across the globe. Due to the total new GUI, you might take some time to get familiar with it.

Simple Way of Windows 7 Installation

Microsoft’s latest Windows 7 has removed the issues of software confliction and difficult user-interface of previous Windows Vista. In addition to that it has been equipped with innovative technologies like multi-core support, handwriting recognition, virtualization and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), so that you can experience the next-generation computing features.
Hence, demands of installation/upgrade to latest Windows 7 is on the rise. However, it is always important to prepare yourself before rushing for the upgrade. You should check whether your computer’s configuration will support Windows 7.
If your present operating system is Windows Vista, then you don’t need to think much. Simply go online or purchase CD/DVD of Windows 7 installation.
However, if you have a computer with earlier versions like Windows XP, Windows 2000 etc, then you need to be careful
Firstly, check the compatibility of hardware components in your computer with respect to that of Windows 7. You can easily check it with the help of Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which is available for free download in Microsoft’s website. It scans and prompts the report. If your computer is lacking somewhere, it suggests the upgrade requirement.
Following are the minimum hardware configuration to install Windows 7:
• Processor-1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• Memory-1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• Hard disk-16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• Graphic card-DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Take the backup of previous files and settings of your computer. You can make use of external hard disk or USB flash drive to take the back up. If you are not an computer expert, then don’t worry. Microsoft presents Windows 7 Easy Transfer that can be downloaded from its website. This program can take back up of your entire computer’s storage, in few minutes in an easy way.
Now, start the process of Windows 7 installation. Drop the CD/DVD on the tray of your DVD drive and restart your computer. You will be prompted to “Press any key to boot from CD/DVD.” However, if you don’t get this option, go into the BIOS and change the boot order from hard drive to DVD drive. After the file is loaded, installation wizard appears. Mention your language preferences, and then click “Install Now.” You have to accept the license agreement and select to do a custom install. Enter username and computer name, when the installation is over.

Common Features in all Windows 7 Editions

Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7, comes in six different versions with several windows 7 interesting features. This articles brings out a list of features that are common in all the editions of Windows 7.

Windows Search:
Windows Search uses the index whenever you use the search box on the Start menu – in the Search Home folder, in libraries, and in locations that are part of a homegroup.

Desktop Gadgets:
Choose from default gadgets in Desktop Gadget Gallery; you can also download and install additional third-party gadgets.

Windows shell enhancements:
Aero Snap, Jump Lists, and Windows Flip.

Power management:
Users can edit default power schemes as well as create custom schemes.

Windows ReadyBoost:
Support for multiple USB flash drives used as backup memory to improve performance.

Device Stage:
A tool for managing and configuring user installed devices such as cameras, phones, and printers.

Sync Center:
Manages synchronization with mobile devices.

Windows Easy Transfer:
Transfer files and settings from an old computer to a new one.
Windows Speech Recognition: Enter and edit text, and issue voice commands using a microphone.

Ease of Access features:
High-contrast themes, Ease of Access Center, Magnifier, Narrator, and On-Screen Keyboard.

Virtual hard drive: Create a new VHD; attach an existing VHD.

Internet Explorer 8: Default Internet browser for Windows 7.

Games Explorer with basic games: Default games in Windows 7 FreeCell, Hearts, Minesweeper, Purble Place, Solitaire, and Spider Solitaire.

Basic productivity applications: Windows 7 includes Calculator, Paint, Notepad, and WordPad.

Windows Fax and Scan: It helps you while scanning documents, sending and receiving faxes.

Windows PowerShell and Integrated Scripting Environment: Command-line shell and graphical host application for scripting administrative tasks.

XPS Document Writer and Viewer: Provides capability to create and view documents using XML Paper Specification.

User Account Control: Also includes Protected Mode in Internet Explorer 8.
Action Center: It provides messages and updates about security and maintenance issues.

Windows Defender: Defend your PC against Anti-Spyware.
Windows Firewall: Blocks unsolicited inbound network connections; includes advanced security interface to manage inbound and outbound connections.
Parental Controls: Set time limits on computer usage, and block access to specific games and applications.

Windows 7 Remote Assistance: It allows direct network connections between two Windows PCs for troubleshooting and repair.

Windows Media Player 12: Enjoy music and videos in all different formats.
System Repair Disc/Window Recovery Environment: Provides ability to access troubleshooting/repair environment at startup without requiring original installation media.

Windows Backup: Perform manual or scheduled backups by file type or location, includes ability to create a system image.

Previous Versions: Ability to recover changed or deleted files from automatic or manual restore points and backups.

SMB network connections: Maximum of 20 simultaneous connections. Because each PC or device requires two Server Message Block (SMB) connections, 10 PCs or devices can be connected at once.

Ability to join a Homegroup: Share local resources and access shared resources on other Windows 7 machines that are part of the same Homegroup.

DoDownload, share and publish files on Windows 7 PC

Get Bearshare installed on your Windows 7 PC and avail an exciting and a new file sharing program supported with a powerful search engine allowing you to find, share, download and publish various kinds of files.

How to install the Bearshare on Windows 7 PC? What are the features of Bearshare ?
Bearshare can be downloaded from the sites like:

1. http://www.bearshare.com/
2. http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/File-Sharing/BearShare.shtml
After downloading the software, you can start with the installation as follows.
Start the installation Wizard on the Windows 7 PC,Select the default system folder for its installation (Strongly recommended),Click on the Next button and then select the “I accept” license agreement checkbox,Click next button and a progress bar will displayed, It will ask to set Google and Bearshare as your default start page, click on Accept button to continue with the installation and set the new start page or click on the decline button if want to continue without setting the new page.Click on the Done button to complete the installation process and click on the checkbox to create a quick launch icon.

BearShare is an interesting and stimulating new Windows file sharing program which lets an individual or a group of people to share files from and to anywhere in the world. This technology is based on the Gnutella technology and provides a very simple and easy to use interface with a powerful connection and search engine.

It utilizes a peer to peer network, and it is the most advanced file sharing application. It can be used to transfer any type of file like music files, video files, softwares etc. Generally there are three types of Bearshare – Pro, Lite and Free.
Following are the features of BearShare:

Provides lightning fast downloads from multiple users at the same time, Provides with and advanced search option for various types of media files.Allows chat with friends while a download is in progress.Friendly interface. Provides configurable parental controls.Allows accessing and viewing shared files from friends.Media player included with playlist mode.Enhanced media manger.

Installation of BearShare demands a minimum system requirement as.
Atleast 4 MB of free disk for Bearshare program.Desired space as per the size of the shared files. 166 MHz or higher Pentium class processor. Internet connection to search, download, share amd publish files.

The users normally face a lot of problem, when they cut certain content from one file and paste it to other.

Till now you must have encountered a lot of problem to cut all the files from one folder and paste it to other but now you have the far more easier way to deal with cut and copy function from any file to other folder with merge feature in Windows 7.Now you don’t require to copy or paste the contents of two directories if you want to combine them – now they can be easily merged in Windows 7. Although this feature was included in Windows Vista, now it comes with better functioning in Windows 7.

The merging feature has the capability to merge the two folders that are differently named at the root folder level. Its very obvious that Windows will complain if you tried to rename the already existing folder; but this feature actually triggers the merge dialog confirmation window.Whenever you copy a folder with the same name into same location as another folder, Windows prompt you to merge the two folders – trigger the merge process by simply renaming one folder to the same name as the other. Then you will be prompted to replace the file with the same name, but you will have the single merged folder at the end. The Windows always prompt for confirmation before merging the folders content.Suppose you have two folders with names A1 and A3, and you have just renamed A3 to A1 the computer will prompt you about the change. This newer function in Windows 7 will now ask you to merge the folders in to one, as you have given the same name to the folders. The folders will be merged if you confirm the merging of the files of the folder. This is one of the basic folder management interaction through Windows Explorer.