On October 22nd, Microsoft officially released Windows 7, the highly anticipated replacement for Windows Vista. Roughly half of the engineering workstations here at CCEx, have been running Windows 7 since it was released to manufacturing on July 22nd.  While Windows 7 is a great improvement over Vista, it is most likely not ready for your organization just yet.

Before you start purchasing Windows 7 PCs and Laptops for your business or organization, we recommend having CCEX perform a software and hardware compatibility audit to make certain that all software and equipment in your organization is compatible.  Many copiers, printers, scanners, and cameras that currently work with Windows XP may not have compatible drivers available for Windows 7.  The current anti-virus software (McAfee or Symantec) on your PCs most likely will not work with Windows 7 and will need to be upgraded.

Here are some products that are currently not compatible with Windows 7:

• Microsoft Office XP and earlier
• QuickBooks 2009 and earlier
• Peachtree 2009 and earlier
• McAfee 8.5 and earlier
• Symantec Endpoint Protection 10.0 and earlier
• Konica, Minolta, and Xerox copiers older than 5 years

Frequently asked questions about Windows 7:

Can Windows XP systems be upgraded to Windows 7?

No, there is no direct upgrade path from Windows XP to Windows 7. Windows XP needs to be completely removed from the PC before installing Windows 7.

Should I consider purchasing a Windows 7 PC for Home use?

Windows 7 has been much improved over Windows Vista and is a stable Operating System for home use.  For most home users, Windows 7 is perfectly adequate. If you’re planning on using your home PC to access your business network, we recommend making sure all corporate software is compatible.

What’s new in Windows 7?

• Better multithreading: Improved performance when running multiple applications
• Better memory management: Improved memory management when working with multiple threads
• Less nagging: More customization over UAC prompts (less "Windows needs your permission to continue" prompts)
• Lightweight: Fewer system services run by default, plus a leaner footprint of the OS
• Media support: More native media format support, including QuickTime, MOV, and H.264
• Usability improvements: An improved user interface, task bar, and Libraries for managing files
• Better power management: Battery life for laptops last longer with new Windows 7 power features

Where can I check to see if my hardware and software is compatible?

You can visit Microsoft’s Windows 7 Compatibility Center at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/

As always, feel free to contact CCEx with any questions or comments.

By: Jeffrey Pena

Senior Network Engineer

Capitol Computer Exchange

News Archive