Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade see short title
User Reviews
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Review Date: 2009-11-24
If you are currently running Windows Vista you owe it to yourself to upgrade to Windows 7. This operating systems runs so much faster than Vista and everything is just easier to work with. Just powering up my desktop only takes about on one and a half minutes. Upgrading was simple but you will need to reinstall all of your application software, but everything works fine. Don't wait any longer, just do it!
User: Jesse D. Hare
Rating:
Summary: Don't wait any longer!
Helpful Votes: 0
Total Votes: 1
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Review Date: 2009-11-24
Bought this to upgrade a HP laptop that I use at the house. Install was very fast and flawless. All device were detected and drivers loaded. System runs faster and more stable than when Vista was on it. Battery life also seems to be longer. All in all seems to be a great upgrade from Microsoft. Will be purchasing more copies the other systems.
User: J.Phipps
Rating:
Summary: Great so far
Helpful Votes: 0
Total Votes: 1
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Review Date: 2009-11-24
Microsoft released Windows 7 on 22nd October 2009. Its last OS release Vista was not well accepted in the Market. Many choose not to upgrade to vista from XP. Now MS will soon de-support XP. Many like me still on XP were wandering if it's worth upgrading to 7. I am not a OS geek but above average computer user. I did some research on upgrade. I decided to go for 7 and this is my story... may help other who plan to upgrade.
I have been using XP since 2002. I was on XP SP3 prior to 7. I had tons of XP applications and data- over 100GB. XP to 7 is no direct upgrade although you can use the upgrade License. It is basically 2 step process where 7 is installed and then you have to manually re-install/migrate your application and data.
My Concerns: My biggest concert was migrating applications since I had so many of them. I wanted them to work on 7. I wanted to avoid reinstalling them on 7 again. I had most installation CDs but some were hard to find in my basement. My XP would take 7 minutes to start - it used to be 1 min 3 years ago when I bought the machine. All application vendors think their application is the most critical for your PC and must be in your startup or running in background! I had norton-360 which allowed me to get rid of some of them but had no idea why it was still so slow. My machine is dual code 2.2 Ghz with 2GB RAM and 512MB video card.
Pre migration Steps: I ran widows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft. This told me that my machine is compatible. It knows MS programs but had no to little information about other programs installed. Also went through Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 article on MS website [...]. This is useful and also tells you if you can use 64 or 32 bit version of 7. It asks you to use Easy transfer for migration. Easy transfer does not migrate your applications so its useless as far as I am concern. I choose 7 professional because of its XP compatibility mode. There is very good application I found called PCMover by Laplink that helps you migrate application, data and all settings. I'll tell you more about it.
Migration Steps:
1. Took a full back-up. I wanted to be absolutely sure to recover 100% to XP in case upgrade fails or some applications do not run. It is not possible to undo the install. I used NTI backup which comes with Toshiba external HDD. I also used Laplink Diskimage which is very easy to use. I made sure that boot disk it created was able to run and can start recovery.
2. Then I run windows easy transfer as per XP-7 upgrade guide. You can download it on XP and run it. Remember, at this point I did not know how PCMover will work. I did not have to use it later.
3. I used Laplink PCMover one time version that costs less than $20. I followed the instructions for PCMover. Note that this is NOT a backup software. It gives you option to choose your applications for migration. I choose the ones I was familiar with, did not care about the ones I did not know as I suspected these are the ones slowing down my PC. It creates a moving-van file on your local drive that has all your settings, application information etc. It was fast.
4. Disabled Norton-360.
5. Install windows 7. Details are in the XP-7 upgrade guide on MS. Follow PCMover user-guide instructions for upgrade whenever required.
6. Re-install PCMover and run the moving van. I was impressed as all my applications, almost all settings showed up in the menu. Some thing just came as menus/readme(e.g. some games) since I did not choose them while migration. I deleted them. PCMover also had a startup utility were I disabled some of the startup item.
7. I had to go each migrated application one by one and sample data files. Here are some examples. Norton-360 when restarted immediately crashed but then it took me to their website to download upgrade and after that it is OK. HP printing software did not work either but the download for win 7 worked. Many games when run in XP mode run fine. Chessmaster 10 starts but gives display problem. Ran in XP mode with game settings - low end video card and 2D chess board makes it OK. Very poor display on Chessmaster 10 now. They do not have any patch for 7 yet. Nero 6 crashed on 7 as well. It works fine with XP mode-they have a upgrade which costs you. Itunes thought it is windows Vista and asked to change some settings. But ran fine in XP mode. I did not have to register for my purchased songs again. I think PCMover did some magic because MS website says differently. My major issue was with my Logitech Orbit webcam that does not work now in spite of many attempts. This is an expensive camera and Logitech does not provide 7 support for it yet. Blackberry needs a patch to work.
It took total about 15 hours for migration, obviously I was not stuck to my PC all the time when some processes were running. I still have some minor applications to verify.
Outcome: The speed to start the individual applications is little slow now but they run steady. My machine starts up in about 1-2 minutes now. The windows interface is visually pleasing. The Aero interface looks good but that is not a selling factor for me. I liked the new functionality with task bar and jump lists. Now, there is much more information about what's going on in the system. The controls and procedures are user friendly. Saved searches are time saving. Go through the top 10 features book that came inside the retail box. I do not have a high end machine but I ran many applications simultaneously and found that CPU and memory was handled pretty well. I like some gadgets they provided out of the box.
I am still learning things on Windows 7 but overall I am pleased. I wish MS had made it easier and I do not have to buy PCMover. I would like 7 more friendlier with non MS applications obviously following security norms. It did not give a good tour after installation and the link it gave on MS website was useless, will they fix it.
Overall, I recommend windows 7. Do not buy from unreliable people who claim to give you just the key. I have heard stories that they stop working. Make sure your machine and applications are compatible before upgrade. Take a good disk image. Use PCMover if possible. Good Luck!
User: S. raut
Rating:
Summary: My Experience - Upgrade from XP
Helpful Votes: 0
Total Votes: 0
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Review Date: 2009-11-21
Don't buy this unless you have Windows Vista Business or have plenty of time to deal with a laborious and potentially unsuccessful custom install. Any other Windows (XP, Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate) will NOT allow you to automatically upgrade!!! You will have to do a "clean install."
The advertising for this product should make it WAY more clear what you're getting into if you buy this. I would NEVER have bought this product if I had known it wasn't a simple upgrade!!! Had the information been more clear, I would have chosen the Windows 7 Ultimate for just a few dollars more. Now I'm stuck with software I can't use, and I just lost $200. I can't return it even though I never actually installed it, as I opened the package before discovering this upgrade issue :( I can't sell it to anyone either, because who's going to want opened software.
I phoned Windows customer service to see if they could help me exchange it or provide me with a way to guarantee to another purchaser that I had never used the license key, but they would not help me with that.
I wish the reviews I'm reading here now were available before my purchase, it would have saved me a lot of time, money and grief. A clean install can be a real hassle, and potentially fraught with all kinds of glitches and even more software incompatibilities. I can no longer afford to buy another version, and truthfully, after all of this hassle, and the lousy product backup and customer service at Windows, I no longer want to.
Here's a link I didn't see until I began my upgrade: [...] (I think some of the other reviewers have given similar helpful links.) The chart and info on "STEP 2" of this link shows clearly the real situation. Really, take the time to check out some of the links on these reviews before you make your purchase. You'll be glad you did.
Bottom line, if you're looking for the upgrade that includes virtual XP mode so you can use your old software, and an upgrade that installs automatically, saving your files, programs, setting...and you're DETERMINED to use Windows 7, then BUY THE WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE.
Good luck :-)
User: Janet
Rating:
Summary: $189.00 just thrown away
Helpful Votes: 2
Total Votes: 3
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Review Date: 2009-11-21
I am an eightyone year old man and if I can do it you can but I would not buy anythang less than Microsoft Windows 7 "Professional" Full or Upgrade.
User: Clarence M. Despain
Rating:
Summary: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade
Helpful Votes: 0
Total Votes: 4
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Editorial Reviews
Upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. With Windows 7 Professional, fewer walls stand between you and your success. You can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network. You can also connect to company networks effortlessly and more securely with Domain Join. With all the exciting entertainment features of Windows Home Premium, it's a great choice for home and for business. Need to use multiple languages on your PC or help protect your data with enhanced BitLocker security? Get Windows 7 Ultimate. Windows 7 is designed to make your PC simpler--to be more reliable, more responsive and to make the things you do every day on your PC easier. Click to enlarge. |
Upgrade to Windows 7
All editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista qualify you to buy an upgrade license.1. Choose your edition of Windows 7
Explore key features and choose the edition that's best for you. Be sure to check the expanded list of extended features in Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate. System requirements vary for each edition of Windows 7 because some features might require special hardware.
2. See if your PC has what it takes to run Windows 7
In general, if your PC can run Windows Vista it can run Windows 7. To make sure, download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to do a quick check. If you want certain features, such as HomeGroup or Windows Media Center, check to see if your PC has the hardware that's needed.
3. Check which operating system your PC is currently running
How you make the move to Windows 7 depends on your current operating system.
- Windows Vista
The transition to Windows 7 should be pretty smooth, although you may need to update your system to the latest service pack first.
- Windows XP (or any other operating system)
Windows 7 is best experienced on a new PC with the latest hardware, but if your computer meets the minimum specifications, you can install Windows 7 on a PC running Windows XP. Windows 7 must be "custom" installed (also known as a "clean" installation) over Windows XP. Before beginning the installation, you'll need to copy your files and settings to an external drive. After Windows 7 has been installed you will need to re-install all of your programs using the original installation media and then copy over the files and settings you backed up to your external drive. Because Windows 7 requires a custom installation, we strongly recommend that you get help with this process from your local computer service provider.
 More work, more play, and more of everything in between. Click to enlarge. |
 Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows. Click to enlarge. |
 With Snap you can arrange two windows side-by-side just by dragging them to opposite sides of your screen. Click to enlarge. |
 Open files you use regularly in just two clicks with Jump Lists on the improved taskbar. |
Everything you need for work and home
Easiest Windows to use ever
- Simplify your PC with new navigation features like Aero Shake, Jump Lists, and Snap.
- Customize Windows to look and feel the way you like by changing themes and taskbar programs.
- Easy to network (with or without a server).
- Back up your complete system over a network.
Faster and more flexible
- Windows XP Mode gives you the business flexibility you need.
- Designed to make your PC sleep and resume quicker.
- Takes full advantage of 64-bit PC hardware and memory.
Best PC entertainment experience
- Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with Windows Media Center.
- Blu-ray read/write support for data files.
- Includes integrated video and Dolby audio codecs.
Simplifies Everyday Tasks
Simple to use
Preview
Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows.
Pin
Open files and get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar. You can easily pin programs you use often to the taskbar and launch them in just one click.
 Windows 7 lets you peek behind open windows to get a quick look at your desktop. Click to enlarge. |
 Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC right from the Start menu with Windows Search. Click to enlarge. |
 Turn your PC into a TV with Windows Media Center, and enjoy your favorite videos and music with Windows Media Player. Click to enlarge. |
Jump Lists
Open files you use regularly in just two clicks with Jump Lists on the improved taskbar.
Snap
Windows 7 has simple new ways to manage open windows. For example, with Snap you can arrange two windows side-by-side just by dragging them to opposite sides of your screen.
Peek and Shake
Windows 7 lets you peek behind open windows to get a quick look at your desktop.
Windows Search
Instantly locate and open virtually any file on your PC, from documents to emails to songs, right from the Start menu, with Windows Search.
Easy to connect
 Setting up wireless connections is easier with consistent, one-click connections to available networks. Click to enlarge. |
 Enjoy the photos, music, and videos on your home PC when you're away from home with remote media streaming. Click to enlarge. |
 Windows Touch makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use. Click to enlarge. |
 Manage Backup and Restore and other features through Action Center. Click to enlarge. |
 Search, organize, and edit files across a network in the same way you would a single folder.Click to enlarge. |
Wireless setup
With Windows 7, setting up wireless connections is easier with consistent, one-click connections to available networks, whether those networks are based on Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, dial-up, or corporate VPN.
HomeGroup
Connect Windows 7 PCs on a home network in just four clicks and easily get to the photos, music, and files on each one--even share printers--with HomeGroup.
Easy to browse the web
Internet Explorer 8
Visual search helps you quickly find the information you want by adding visual cues and previews to search results from top search providers including Live Search, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Amazon, and others.
Internet Explorer 8
Use Web slices to conveniently keep up with changes on frequently updated websites, like eBay auctions or traffic sites, directly from the IE8 toolbar.
Easy to communicate and share
Windows Live Photo Gallery
Windows Live Photo Gallery makes share your photos to your favorite photo site easy.
Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Mail makes managing multiple email accounts easy.
Windows Live Family Safety
Keep your child safe by managing what sites they can visit and who they can send/receive emails and im communications from.
Note: Windows Live components need to be downloaded separately.
Works The Way You Want
Faster and More Reliable
Resume from sleep
We designed Windows 7 to help PCs sleep and resume from sleep more quickly by improving the way Windows 7 manages drivers, programs, and power.
Faster and more reliable
We reduced the amount of memory your PC needs for open windows and to execute commands to help it be more responsive to commands.
Fewer clicks and less interruptions
Makes New Things Possible
Media on your terms
Windows Media Center
Turn your PC into a TV with Windows Media Center.
Windows Media Center
Watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV.
DirectX 11
DirectX 11 technology delivers breathtaking game graphics so real, it's unreal.
New ways to engage
Windows Touch
Windows Touch makes PCs with touch screens easier and more intuitive to use.
Media on your terms
Windows Media Player
More and more consumer electronics, from TVs to digital photo frames, can be connected to home networks. With Play To in Windows 7, you'll be able to easily send music, photos, videos from your PC to a networked device throughout your home.
You can enjoy the photos, music, and videos on your home PC when you're away from home with remote media streaming.
Work anywhere
Location Aware Printing
Windows 7 will automatically pick the right printer for you when you move from home to work networks.
Work anywhere with less effort.
- Get connected in three clicks wherever there's a wireless network connection.
- Keep documents on your PC and on network servers in sync automatically.
- Your PC will automatically use the printer you prefer for whatever network you're on.
- Simplify making presentations special settings that keep your PC from sleeping and turn off messages, notifications, and screen savers.
- Instantly locate virtually any file, email, or document on your PC just by typing a word or two.
- Get around your PC faster with the improved taskbar.
- Open programs you use regularly in one click and files you use regularly in just two.
- Manage lots of open programs, documents, and browser windows easily with thumbnail and full-screen previews of open windows.
- Manage multiple email accounts, including Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo! Mail Plus, all in one place with one simple program.
- Get to the files, photos, and music on any PC with Windows 7 in the house from any other.
- Print to any printer in the house from any PC with Windows 7 in the house.
Safeguard your hard work.
- Advanced Backup and Restore makes it easier to keep your work safely backed up to external or network drives and accessible if you need it.
- File encryption helps keep proprietary and confidential information on a PC secure if it is lost or stolen.
- Preserve your investment in programs designed for Windows XP with Windows XP Mode.
- Windows Internet Explorer 8 helps keep your PC safer from malware and you safer from fraudulent websites designed to fool you into divulging private information.
- Easily add your PC to a secured, managed, network with domain join capabilities.
- Group policy controls help administrators more easily and effectively manage the security and configuration of multiple PCs.
Choose the Windows 7 Edition That Is Best For You
Features |
Windows 7 Home Premium |
Windows 7 Professional |
Windows 7 Ultimate |
| Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation. |  |  |  |
| Start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often. | | | |
| Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8. | | | |
| Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC. | | | |
| Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup. | | | |
| Run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode. | | | |
| Connect to company networks easily and more securely with Domain Join. | | | |
| In addition to full-system Backup and Restore found in all editions, you can back up to a home or business network. | | | |
| Help protect data on your PC and portable storage devices against loss or theft with BitLocker. | | ||
| Work in the language of your choice and switch between any of 35 languages. | |
Product Details
- Windows 7 Professional (includes 32 & 64-bit versions) lets you run Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode, recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network, connect to company networks effortlessly and more securely
- Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation; start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often
- Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8
- Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC
- Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup
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