PC Tech Support Blog

  I am sure this will be an interesting topic. My opinion is this, we are at the cross roads again and I am feeling a kind of deja vu. I remember back in September 2001 when Windows XP was released. Microsoft was in a kind of funk after the Windows Millennium Release. Manufactures continued to sell Windows 98 SE over Windows ME & Windows 2000 which was adopted by businesses. Consumers had a comfort level with Windows 98. Some people do not adapt well to change. So there we were at hurdle from Windows 98 to windows XP Now we are at the hurdle of Windows XP to Windows 7. Strange how Windows XP had Windows Millennium as a predecessor and Microsoft Windows 7 has Windows Vista. Once again we have the consumer and a comfort level. Some of you embrace change while and others do not. There is a big shift in the way Windows XP appears to how Windows Vista & Windows 7 Appears. The Start Menu has been changed again this was a factor in XP that Upset a few Windows 98 Users. The new search feature in Windows Vista and Windows 7 makes finding programs easier when there are lots of them to choose from.

 So why adopt Microsoft Windows 7 and face change again. Well if you are still running Windows XP it is likely your PC is 4-5 years old and do for replacement. If your PC is a later PC you may have 64 Bit Processing technology, but only running a 32 Bit OS so an upgrade to a new OS would be a performance gain. The good news is those of you who have purchased a new Windows Vista PC recently may have a free upgrade path to Windows 7. The problem here is you have to do a clean install and be sure you have a backup. Then we have to  choose a 32 Bit or 64 Bit version of the OS. If your PC is 64 Bit capable then I recommend upgrading to the 64 Bit Version. if you have 32 Bit applications to be concerned about then the option of loading Window XP in a Virtual Machine is the answer. XP Mode in Microsoft Windows 7 is available for download from Microsoft. This will not be pre installed with the Windows 7 installation. There are two components the Virtual Machine and the XP Mode Image. The downside to this is you now have two Operating Systems to maintain. Virus software is needed for the Virtual Machine and Critical Updates must be kept Current. One of the benefits of XP Mode is that a 32 Bit application will open the Virtual Machine in a normal window transparent to the user knowing the virtual machine is running. Second benefit is Microsoft is making XP Mode available for download for free and a License Key is not needed. One draw back of XP Mode is that it requires a Processor that supports virtualization.

For more 64 Bit Info: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/64-bit-support

 Now that we have discussed 32 Bit and 64 Bit versions we can talk about the Flavors! It seems Microsoft is going the Baskin Robins approach with 31 Flavors. I am just kidding but there are serveral releases that may or may not be for you. The releases are as follows:

• Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition (for Netbook Use Only)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic (for Internet & E-Mail use)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (for Power Users & Multimedia)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (Business Use & Domain fuctionality)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise (Business Use & Multimedia, Domain Funtionality)

 For more details visit: http://windows7center.com/news/major-features-of-each-windows-7-version-sku-revealed/

I hope that my brief discriptions will help minimize any confusion on what flavor is right for you. As an OEM system builder I adopted Microsoft Windows Vista early on and watched it mature into a useable product. In the past 2 months of evaluating Microsoft Windows 7 I am happy with it and using it as my primary machine in my own business! I hope that shows my comfort level in the product. There are still lots of Microsoft Windows XP PC’s that come into our service center for service mostly due to infection of Viruses, Malware & Spyware. XP has come a long way and has become as secure as possible, but Windows Vista & Windows 7 are far more secure if the default windows settings are used and security software is up to date and running. In general a Windows Vista or Windows 7 Machine should it be infected are much easier to clean up. Good House keeping on any computer will help prevent malicious code from infecting any computer.

If you are interested in ordering a custom Microsoft Windows 7 PC with XP Mode Preinstalled. Then contact PC TechSup for Advanced orders for Delivery in October. We will build to your specifications. A free consultation will be provided of what version would best suit your needs. 

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