Windows 7 was released on the 22nd October 2009, if you are presently running Windows Vista, then upgrading is definitely an option worth considering. Though if currently running Windows XP or Vista on a pre 2007 computer or laptop, taking cost considerations into account, buying a new PC or Laptop would be my advice. .
In my experience the upgrade advisor offered by Microsoft, whilst helpful uses the minimum system requirements as basis for compatibility. Running HWINFO32 http://www.hwinfo.com to determine the hardware inside you PC or Laptop is beneficial, as have found the following criteria is a more realistic minimum requirement: Intel or AMD 64 CPU
2GB DDR2 or DDR3 Memory
80GB Hard Drive
DVD Re-writer Drive
Grpahics Card or Graphics Chip which has full Manufacturers Driver Support
Microsoft have a very good overview/product guide available for download:
Whilst Microsoft Office 2003 will install on Windows 7, it would be my advice to use Office 2007 or the forthcoming Office 2010. If you want a free alternative to Office 2003 and earlier versions thenOpen Office 3.2.x should suffice
Following is taken from Microsoft Web Site dated September 2009, but it is not very clear, because if you are runnning Windows XP you can purchase the cheaper Upgrade Version, but one must undertake a Clean Install, also Full OEM versions are also available starting from around £75.00:
Unsupported Upgrade Scenarios
· Upgrades to Windows 7 from the following operating systems are not supported:
· Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows XP, Windows Vista® RTM, Windows Vista Starter, Windows 7 M3, Windows 7 Beta, Windows 7 RC, or Windows 7 IDS
· Windows NT® Server 4.0, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server® 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2
· Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported.
· Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported.
· Cross-SKU upgrades (for example, Windows 7 N to Windows 7 K) are not supported.
· Upgrades from Windows Vista to Windows N, Windows K, Windows KN, or Windows E are not supported.
· Cross-build type in-place upgrades (for example, fre to chk) are not supported.
· Pre-release in-place upgrades across milestones (for example, Windows 7 RC to Windows 7 RTM) are not supported.
From Windows Vista (SP1, SP2) | Upgrade to Windows 7 |
Business | Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate |
Enterprise | Enterprise |
Home Basic | Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate |
Home Premium | Home Premium, Ultimate |
Ultimate | Ultimate |
From Windows 7 | Repair-In-Place Upgrade to Windows 7 |
Enterprise | Enterprise |
Home Basic | Home Basic |
Home Premium | Home Premium |
Professional | Professional |
Starter (x86 only) | Starter (x86) |
Ultimate | Ultimate |
From Windows 7 | Anytime Upgrade to Windows 7 |
Home Basic | Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate |
Home Premium | Professional, Ultimate |
Professional | Ultimate |
Starter | Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate |