Microsoft® Windows® 7 – Handy Links *updated*

[Danno]

If you are planning on upgrading your system from XP / Vista it is recommended running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before purchasing the software.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15&displaylang=en


Microsoft® Windows® 7 – Handy Links

System Requirements

Windows 7 Online Support Resources

Windows 7 Top Customer Support Scenarios

Upgrading to Windows 7

Help and How-to

Networking

System Performance and Maintenance


Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC

System Requirements

If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:

· 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


For additional requirements to use certain features please see:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements

Windows 7 Online Support Resources

Windows 7 Solution Center: Provides online customer support resources for the top customer support issues.


· Key Online Windows 7 Resources: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/14019/en-us/#tab0

· Install, Upgrade and Activate: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/14019#tab1

· Safety and Security: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/14019#tab3

· Internet Explorer Solution Center: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/807/en-us#tab0


Windows 7 Help and How-To: Provides answers to common Windows 7 help and how-to questions.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help


· Getting Started with Windows 7: Find out more about using new features in Windows 7.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/getting-started

· How to Videos: Provides step by step video instruction for using new features in Windows 7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/videos

· Top Solutions: Browse the most-viewed troubleshooting articles by category.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/top-solutions

Microsoft Answers: Windows 7 Forums: Find Answers to Top Windows 7 Customer Support Questions

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee396321.aspx

Windows 7 Top Customer Support Scenarios

Upgrading to Windows 7


· Windows 7: Supported Upgrade Paths

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7?T1=tab02

· Is my PC capable of running Windows 7: Run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor

· Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows or a 64-bit version of Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows?


No. If you are currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can only perform an upgrade to another 32-bit version of Windows. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows, you can only perform an upgrade to another 64-bit version of Windows.

If you want to move from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows or vice versa, you'll need to back up your files and then perform a Custom installation of the version of Windows you want to install.

For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows*: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows

· Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7: Upgrading a PC from Windows XP to Windows 7 requires a custom installation which doesn't preserve existing programs, files, or settings. This is also referred to as a clean installation.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7

· Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7: Use the Upgrade option during Windows 7 installation to upgrade from Windows Vista to a corresponding or higher edition of Windows 7. Upgrading keeps existing files, settings, and programs from Windows Vista in place.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7

· Windows Easy Transfer: Use Windows Easy transfer when upgrading Windows XP o Windows 7. Windows Easy Transfer is a step-by-step guide for transferring files and settings from one computer running Windows to another.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7?T1=tab03

· Windows Installation Problems: Frequently Asked Questions: answers to common questions about installing Windows.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Windows-installation-problems-frequently-asked-questions

· How to install Windows 7 on a Netbook PC:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/installing-windows-7-on-a-netbook

· Where are customer files and folders after upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows XP or Windows Vista?
It depends on the way the customer upgraded their computer to Windows 7. Use the following table to determine where the customer files might be located:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Where-are-my-files-and-folders-after-upgrading-from-Windows-XP-or-Windows-Vista

· Windows 7 Compatibility Center: Use this extensive collection of compatibility information when upgrading to the Windows 7 operating system to verify compatibility of existing hardware and software.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx

· How to make older programs run in Windows 7:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows

Tip: You can run the Program Compatibility troubleshooter by right-clicking a program's icon or shortcut and then clicking Troubleshoot Compatibility.

· Customer Needs to Activate Windows: How to assist a customer who has to activate Windows after upgrading.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Activate-Windows-on-this-computer

· Activation Errors: Invalid Product Key / The Product Key you Typed is Already in Use

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/What-do-I-do-if-my-Windows-product-key-isnt-valid

Help and How To


· Where is the Quick Launch Tool Bar?
The Quick Launch toolbar isn't included in Windows 7. To open programs quickly, you can pin them to the taskbar.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-happened-to-the-Quick-Launch-toolbar

How to Pin a program to the Task Bar: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Pin-a-program-to-the-taskbar

· Internet Explorer and E-mail Links are not on the Start menu

In Windows 7 the pinned area at the top of the Start menu is empty by default. To open these and other programs quickly and easily, you can now pin them to the Start menu and to the taskbar.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-happened-to-the-e-mail-and-browser-links-on-the-Start-menu

How to Pin a program to the Start menu: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Pin-a-program-to-the-Start-menu

· Where did Windows Mail / Outlook Express go?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/looking-for-windows-mail

· What happened to Windows Photo Gallery?

Windows Photo Gallery isn’t included in Windows 7. To view and organize your digital pictures, you can download Windows Live Photo Gallery or use another photo program from another company.

Download Windows Live Photo Gallery: http://download.live.com/photogallery

· What happened to Windows Movie Maker?

Windows Movie Maker is not included in Windows 7. You can install a video editing program from another company or install the new version of Movie Maker—named Windows Live Movie Maker.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/looking-for-windows-movie-maker

Download Windows Live Movie Maker: http://download.live.com/moviemaker

· Windows Troubleshooters: Troubleshooting in Control Panel contains several troubleshooting programs that can automatically fix some common problems with your computer.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Troubleshooting-in-Windows

· No Sound: Run the new Audio Troubleshooter from the Control Panel Troubleshooters

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Playing-Audio-troubleshooter

· Unable to Turn on Aero Glass: Open the Aero troubleshooter

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Aero-troubleshooter

· Unable to Print: Open and Run the Printer Troubleshooter from the Control Panel Troubleshooter

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Printer-troubleshooter

· Help with Hardware Compatibility Problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/compatibility?T1=hardwarecompat

· Help with Software Compatibility Problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/compatibility?T1=softwarecompat


Networking


· Troubleshooting Network Connection Problems: Open and Run Network Troubleshooters

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Open-Networking-troubleshooters

· Home Group will not connect to existing PCs on my home network: HomeGroup is only available between Windows 7 PCs.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows#section_3


System Performance and Maintenance


· How to Improve System Performance:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Ways-to-improve-your-computers-performance

· How to Run the Performance Troubleshooter:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Open-the-Performance-troubleshooter

· What is ReadyBoost and how can it speed up my Computer: ReadyBoost can speed up your computer by using storage space on most USB flash drives and flash memory cards.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Turn-ReadyBoost-on-or-off-for-a-storage-device

· What is Action Center: Action Center is a central place to view alerts and take actions that can help keep Windows running smoothly.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-is-Action-Center

· Open and Run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter: Use the System Maintenance troubleshooter to automatically find and fix problems.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-System-Maintenance-troubleshooter

· How to Create a System Repair Disk: To use Windows 7 system recovery options, you'll need a Windows installation disc or the recovery options provided by your computer manufacturer. If you don't have either of these, you can create a system repair disc.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Create-a-system-repair-disc


Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC (Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise only)

Important to Note: Windows XP Mode will only run on Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise editions. Windows XP Mode requires a virtualization engine, such as Windows Virtual PC.

Windows XP Mode: Almost all programs compatible with Windows Vista, and the majority of Windows XP programs, run well in Windows 7. If a program doesn’t, customers should first try the Program Compatibility troubleshooter. It can fix several problems and is included in all editions of Windows 7. For more information, see Open the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Program-Compatibility-troubleshooter

Tip: You can run the Program Compatibility troubleshooter by right-clicking a program's icon or shortcut and then clicking troubleshoot compatibility.

If a program written for Windows XP doesn’t work properly in Windows 7, and changing compatibility settings on the program didn't help, Customers can run the program in Windows XP Mode. (only available on Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise editions)


· How to confirm a Customer’s PC can run Windows XP Mode: Although PCs have been shipping with hardware virtualization for three years, hardware virtualization is not available in all PCs — so a customer’s PC may not have hardware virtualization. Additionally, those PCs with hardware virtualization have it turned off by default, so you will need to verify the PC can perform hardware virtualization and that it is turned on in the BIOS before Windows XP mode can be used.

Windows Virtual PC: Requires a CPU with the Intel® Virtualization Technology or AMD-V™ feature turned on. This feature must be enabled in the system BIOS. For details, visit the Configure BIOS page or check with your computer manufacturer.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/configure-bios.aspx

· Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7: Help and How-to guidance for setting installing and configuring Windows XP mode on a PC running Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise editions.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7#section_3

· Using Windows XP Mode How-to Video: This video shows you how to use Windows XP Mode to run programs made for Windows XP in certain editions of Windows 7. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/videos/using-windows-xp-mode

· Windows XP Mode and Virtual PC Download Page: After a customer has verified their PC supports hardware virtualization and has enabled it on their Windows 7 PC, follow the steps from the following link to download both Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

· Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC frequently asked questions:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/faq.aspx


Other Handy Links


· Windows 7 Product Guide: The Windows 7 Product Guide provides a detailed look at the many new and improved features in Windows 7. The guide is designed as an accurate source of information that can help you to understand how Windows 7 Simplifies Everyday Tasks, Works the Way You Want, and Makes New Things Possible. The guide is also designed to provide IT Professionals with information about how to Make People Productive Anywhere, Manage Risk Through Enhanced Security and Control, and Reduce Costs by Streamlining PC Management. This is not a help and how to guide. Rather, it provides an overview of the many exciting features in Windows 7 and pointers to more information. The Windows 7 Product Guide is available in both XPS (30.5 MB) and PDF (62.0 MB)formats.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=b3c68ec2-e726-4830-ac89-31c71d6be5f3

· Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor: Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC is ready for Windows 7. It scans your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues, gives you guidance on how to resolve potential issues found, and recommends what to do before you upgrade. Before you begin: Be sure to plug in and turn on any USB devices or other devices, such as printers, external hard disks, and scanners, that you regularly use with the PC you're checking. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your PC for potential compatibility issues and lets you know about your Windows 7 upgrade options. Within minutes, you'll get a report that tells you if your PC meets the system requirements, if any known compatibility issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs are found, and gives guidance on what to do to before installing Windows 7 on your PC.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15&displaylang=en

[mr. Strawberry]

this one is good it is for How to Take Ownership & Grant Permissions to Access Files & Folder in Windows 7 (http://www.blogsdna.com/2159/how-to-take-ownership-grant-permissions-to-access-files-folder-in-windows-7.htm)
helped with my modding on games

[snakedoc]

Nice work, good to have it all in one place and not spread throughout answers to member's questions in the forums.

[snakedoc]

Windows License (As a rule of thumb)

Retail = Install on one machine at a time but is transferrable to a new machine as long as old install is removed/deleted

OEM (Supplied with Computer) This license is valid for the machine it came with and is not transferrable. The key dies with the machine.

OEM software is for use by a System builder such as Novatech. It is not ideal for the average enthusiast who changes hardware often. You cannot under the license terms build your own machine with an OEM license.

[cjmUK]

You cannot under the license terms build your own machine with an OEM license.

I'm afraid this is categorically not true.

Providing you buy the OEM licence from an approved seller with an item 'non-peripheral hardware' that is 'essential to the running of the machine' and use this component in your build, then you are complying with MS's EULAs.

The kind of hardware we are talking about is HDDs, HSFs, CPUs etc... not LED strips, routers or printers etc.

The licence will remain tied to the motherboard, though if you are forced to replace your motherboard due to failure, MS will often allow you to transfer the licence (though they are not obliged to).

In practice, many sellers will sell you OEM licences without accompanying hardware, and Microsoft will still honour the licence. If you have a three year old machine and just fancy an upgrade to Win7, technically you don't qualify for an OEM licence.

MS won't be bothered about such a scenario until such time as you contact them for support - because although there are peer-support resources available, the primary support route for OEM software is through the OEM system builder - i.e. you!

More info can be found at the OEM Partner Centre (http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=552845) if you have the patience to search around a bit.

[Mr Grapes]

just found this link to running XP mode if you don't have a CPU that supports virtualization

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/10911/run-xp-mode-on-windows-7-machines-without-hardware-virtualization/

(Executive summary: use VMWare Player 3)

[snakedoc]

I'm afraid this is categorically not true.

Snip.

Sorry but it is.

[Ben]

Having a quiet morning at work & happened upon a couple of handy sites.

http://www.blackviper.com/Windows_7/servicecfg.htm - A guide to getting rid of some un-needed services in Win 7.

http://www.makeuseof.com/ - Loads of useful info in here. For Win 7, Firefox, Chrome & loads more.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/guide-speeding-windows-7-machine/

:)

[cjmUK]

Unfortunately, Blackviper is struggling to find ways to tinker with Win 7 - it coes reasonably configured out of the box.

I had a look the other day, and there were two changes listed under the safe column that I could actually make. The irony is that the people likely to tinker are the people who are likely to need the services that Blackviper consider unnecessary.

I'm not slating Blackviper per se - I've happily used the site for donkey's years - but there is genuinely less **** enabled in Windows 7 by default. Let's hop MS continue to improve over subsequent versions.