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What you need to know
when choosing a PC. (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

There's a lot to consider when deciding the best way to upgrade. That's why we put together this quick answer guide to some of the top Windows® 7 questions. Your question not answered here? Not to worry! Ask an EasyTech expert at your local Staples or call 1-800-378-2753.

Compatibility:

Can my PC run Windows® 7?
Will my current devices work with Windows® 7?
Will my current programs work with Windows® 7?
What should I do if I'm having trouble with a recently installed device?
What Anti-Virus software will work with Windows® 7?

System Requirements:

What does it take to run Windows® 7 on my PC?

Upgrading:

What does Windows® 7 give me that Vista® and XP don't?
How do I upgrade from Vista® to Windows® 7?
How do I upgrade from XP to Windows® 7?
What is Windows® 7 Starter and should I upgrade it?
How can I find out if there are potential issues of upgrading to Windows® 7?

Compatibility

Can my PC run Windows® 7?

Download the free Windows® 7 Upgrade Advisor. It'll scan your PC for potential issues with current hardware, devices, and installed programs, and make pre-upgrade recommendations. As a general rule of thumb, PCs that can run Windows Vista®, can probably run Windows® 7. However, you should still use the Windows® 7 Upgrade Advisor to make sure.

Note: Information about your PC will be sent to Microsoft®, but no information will be used to identify or contact you. Before scanning your PC with the Windows® 7 Upgrade Advisor, be sure to plug in and power on any USB or other devices (including printers, external hard drives, and scanners) that you regularly use with your PC. In addition, Windows® 7 Upgrade Advisor requires .NET Framework 2.0. If your computer doesn't have it installed, you will be prompted to install it.

Will my current devices work with Windows® 7?

Windows® 7 was designed to be compatible with many existing devices, and chances are good that yours will continue to work. To find out for sure, check out this handy compatibility tool which includes compatibility details for thousands of devices. You can also see if what you're currently using will work with the Windows® 7 automatically, or if you'll need a software upgrade or new driver.

Will my current programs work with Windows® 7?

Most programs written for Windows Vista® also work in Windows® 7, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, you can try changing the compatibility settings for the program manually or by using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter within Windows® 7. If changing the settings doesn't fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer's website to see if there is an update for the program.

To run the Program Compatibility troubleshooter:
1) Click Start, then click Control Panel.
2) Type troubleshooter in the search box.
3) Click Troubleshooting.
4) Under Programs, click Run programs made for a previous version of Windows.
5) Follow the instructions in the troubleshooter.

If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the troubleshooter, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The troubleshooter is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.

What should I do if I'm having trouble with a recently installed device?

Try using the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter within Windows® 7. It checks for common issues and makes sure that any new device or hardware attached to your computer was installed correctly.

1) Click Start, then click Control Panel. 2) Type troubleshooter in the search box.
3) Click Troubleshooting.
4) Under Hardware and Sound, click Configure a device.
5) If prompted, type your administrator password or confirmation.
6) Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

What Anti-Virus software will work with Windows® 7?

The following consumer security software is compatible with Windows® 7:

Norton 360 v3.0, Norton Internet Security, Norton Anti-Virus and more!

Staples recommends Norton 360, all-in-one protection that keeps you, your family, your information and up to 3 PCs secure. Learn more.

Important: Before you install Anti-Virus software, check to see if you already have an Anti-Virus product on your computer. If you do, be sure to remove that product before installing the new one, as having two different Anti-Virus products installed at the same time can create computer issues.

System Requirements

What does it take to run Windows® 7 on my PC?

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some features may require advanced or additional hardware:

Internet access (fees may apply)
Video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware (depends on resolution)
Some Windows Media Center functionality may require a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
Windows® Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware
HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows® 7
DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
BitLocker™ requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2
BitLocker To Go™ requires a USB flash drive
Windows® XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
Music and sound require audio output

Upgrading

What does Windows® 7 give me that Vista® and XP don't?

Here's a quick overview of the key features you'll get with Windows® 7 and how they stack up to Windows® XP and Windows Vista®:

Chart for comparing differences in key features between Windows®7, Windows Vista® and Windows® XP.

How do I upgrade from Vista® to Windows® 7?

Since your computer is running Windows Vista®, it meets the minimum system requirements for Windows® 7. To get step-by-step instructions for upgrading your PC with Windows® 7 software, download the upgrade guide.

See our Windows® 7 software assortment.

How do I upgrade from XP to Windows® 7?

Upgrading your PC from Windows XP to Windows® 7 requires a custom, or "clean," installation which doesn't preserve your programs, files, or settings. This can be a complex and lengthy installation, but if you'd like to give it a try, download the upgrade guide (PDF) to get step-by-step instructions.

To get the most out of the new Windows® 7 operating system, we strongly recommend that you consider purchasing a new Windows® 7 PC. See our complete assortment of laptops, desktops and netbooks.

What is Windows® 7 Starter and should I upgrade it?

Windows® 7 Starter is the most basic Windows® 7 edition and often comes preinstalled on small notebook PCs and netbooks. Windows® 7 Starter runs only the programs you need for a faster, more efficient experience.

We recommend upgrading from Windows® 7 Starter to Windows® 7 Home Premium to get the best entertainment experience, the latest technology and the ability to personalize your PC. With Windows® 7 Home Premium you can:

Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation
Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup
Watch TV shows for free using Internet TV*
Watch, pause, rewind and record TV on your PC with Windows Media Center**

*Internet access required. Free Internet TV content varies by geography. Some content may require additional fees.
**May require additional hardware

How can I find out if there are potential issues of upgrading to Windows® 7?

Before upgrading your existing PC, download and install the free Windows® 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft. It'll scan your PC for potential issues with current hardware, devices, and installed programs, and make pre-upgrade recommendations. Follow any recommended steps for a smoother upgrade experience.