Buy Windows 7 with Caution

Considerations and System Requirements for the Operating System

Oct 25, 2009

Before users buy Windows 7, it's important to check a computer for any missing requirements before installing the operating system.

Microsoft users rushing to buy Windows 7 should use caution before installing the new operating system on their machines. If Vista taught Windows users anything, it was that new operating systems from Microsoft aren’t always stable and can lead to poor performance or even hardware failure, forcing the user to revert to a previous installation. Users who buy Windows 7 need to consider system requirements and possible software conflicts.

Memory Requirements before Users Buy Windows 7

Microsoft Vista was a disappointment for users who installed the operating system on computers with less than 2GB of memory. The memory requirement for Windows 7 is only 1GB of random access memory (RAM). Most users who buy Windows 7 for machines that are only a year or two old will meet these requirements, but checking the machine for memory capacity will save the user money and time. If the computer has less than 2GB of RAM, upgrade memory for best performance.

To check the amount of memory installed on a Windows computer, right-click the “My Computer” icon on the desktop and select “Properties.” In the window dialog box that pops up, the amount of memory installed in the computer is shown. Upgrade RAM in the computer if it does not meet the Windows 7 system requirements for memory.

Hard Drive Requirements for Windows 7

Hard drive space is much cheaper than a decade ago. Computers are built with hundreds of gigabytes of usable hard drive storage, but some older machines may not have the available space for Windows 7. Users who buy Windows 7 need 16GB of available hard drive storage on their machines.

To check available hard drive space on a computer, double-click the “My Computer” icon on the Windows desktop. This dialog box shows the available space on all hard drives installed. Before users buy Windows 7, purchase a new hard drive if storage capacity is low. Additionally, before upgrading, backup important files in case of hard drive data recovery.

Processor Speed Required for Windows 7

Processor manufacturers continue to increase chip speeds to support newer software. Users who buy Windows 7 need to consider the processor installed on the computer. Windows 7 requires a computer to have at least a 1GHz processor speed. Computers purchased within the last 1-2 years will meet the Windows 7 processor requirement.

To check the speed of a processor on a Windows computer, right-click the “My Computer” icon on the desktop and select “Properties.” Within this dialog box, the speed of the processor is shown. Users who buy Windows 7 need to check with the motherboard manufacturer to ensure a processor upgrade is supported by the hardware.

Users who buy Windows 7 or any future operating system for their machine need to consider these basic system requirements before installation. Microsoft has several other reasons to upgrade to Windows 7. Even if the computer meets the minimum requirements, users who buy Windows 7 may find better performance with a memory or processor upgrade. Gamers who buy Windows 7 should ensure that the video card is compatible with the new operating system for a better gaming experience.

The copyright of the article Buy Windows 7 with Caution in PC Software/OS is owned by Jennifer Marsh. Permission to republish Buy Windows 7 with Caution in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.