Plan way, way ahead with Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Windows 7 is still three months away, but Microsoft has already cranked up the marketing machine with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. Before you take the little bit of time and trouble to download the 6.2MB file and let Microsoft scan your PC, be sure to visit the official Upgrade Advisor page.

There you will see Microsoft assert that if your system runs Vista, it will run Windows 7, "in general." Another blanket recommendation from the company is that if you're currently using Windows XP, you should buy a new PC with Windows 7 preinstalled. Microsoft even offers links to a shopping helper and lists of Windows 7-ready systems.

Well, so much for running the Upgrade Advisor. Out of curiosity, I ran the advisor on my 4-month-old 64-bit Vista Home Premium notebook. First, I made sure all the machine's peripherals were plugged in. After only a few minutes, I was informed that I could do an in-place upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate. (You'll find information about the various versions of Windows 7 on Microsoft's site.)

Let Microsoft determine whether your PC can run Windows 7 via the Upgrade Advisor.

(Credit: Microsoft)

My PC got green checkmarks in all categories but one. The report prompted me to download Windows Mail and Parental Controls. Following the link led to the Windows Live Essentials download—for Vista.

Since most of the Live Essentials missing in Windows 7 are built into Vista, I wasn't sure what I was being prompted to download, or whether this would allow the Live Essentials apps to be retained in an in-place upgrade to Windows 7.

No matter what the Upgrade Advisor's advice, I won't take the scan's results very seriously. There are bound to be a few upgrade glitches that don't become apparent until after Windows 7 actually ships. But the advisor does provide Microsoft with a good amount of anonymous (I trust) information about your system, and it gives the company yet another marketing opportunity, so it's has that going for it.

[myles taylor]

I've been asking my Windows friends, some of which are still using XP, if they plan to upgrade to Windows 7 and the nearly universal response seems to be "After SP1." I think it's kind of sad that even if Microsoft does release an OS that is decent out of the box that people are still going to sit on their hands until it's been updated. Microsoft has a reputation and now it's going to take more than just making a great OS to change their perception.

[celticbrewer]

Myles, first I have to say that I'm a big fan of Vista and never had a single problem. But if your friends are using XP and it works for them, is there really a pressing need to upgrade? Sure, wait for SP1 if you can wait. I don't think that's exclusive to Microsoft or even of software in general. I always try to avoid the first release of any product- software, cars, tvs, game consoles, etc...

[geshp]

Think of it like buying a new car. The prospect of buying a new car sounds good, but any mechanic will tell you to get a used car that's been out for a year so all the major recalls have been done. While a new OS isn't exactly a death trap like a new car could be, it's usually a good idea to wait for the bugs to get ironed out first.

[firefoxluva95]

Except the fact that from the RC to the final release, all the bugs are pretty much hammered out. I don't see why there is a need to wait for SP1.

[Lerianis3]

Microsoft only has a reputation because there are some stupid people out there who cannot seem to realize that NO OS is going to be perfect from the get-go, no matter how much testing was done on it beforehand.
When you look at Windows Vista, you see that most of the problems were because of the stupid OEM manufacturers who wasted time getting drivers made for their things and weren't honest with people about "No, we are not making drivers for this item for Windows Vista.... NYAH!"
I used Windows Vista from before SP1, and I liked it and thought that it was pretty damned good when it came down to it.

[mdembski]

I tried Windows 7 on a Dell XPS 1330 laptop and Dell Studio Hybrid. According to the upgrade advisor, both met all the requirements. The wireless connection on the laptop would never wake up from hibernation or sleep. I would have to reboot to use the wireless. I confirmed that its the most up to date driver. The video on the Hybrid Studio was real bad, again I had updated to the newest video driver. I agree, don't even think about upgrading until SP1. Windows 7 is not yet ready.

[celticbrewer]

Sounds like Dell is not ready yet.

[Old_Gray_Wolf]

I have had the opposite result from using the upgrade advisor. According to the upgrade advisor; which is a Beta, my Dell laptop failed in several areas. That is really funny because I have been running Vista, Windows 7 Beta, and Windows 7 RC without any problems. I guess after the Vista fiasco, Microsoft is being overly cautious. ROTFLMAO

[Lerianis3]

That usually comes from needing new drivers, and the not waking up from hibernation and sleep is usually a driver issue. Personally, I had that problem on Windows 7 Beta and RC on my computer, and they have amazing fixed it in the RTM version that I have on all but one of my computers now.
The one that doesn't have Windows 7 on it? I'm waiting until they state whether Norton Ghost 14 works with Windows 7 or if there has to be updates to it, THEN I will update my last computer since my parents use it and want it to work so I can backup their computer, which has a history of developing problems since it's 4 years old now and some parts are just... wearing out.

[jasonsandefer]

Speaking of bugs and errors... Here is a live demonstration of the new Office products shown to 1000's of people. Its quite humorous for those of us that use Microsoft products!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k3TTcbLCMA

[myles taylor]

That's quite funny. Reminds me of a Vista demonstration back in the day where they were demonstrating the voice recognition and it didn't work at all.

[Mr. Dee]

Windows Live Essentials includes successors to Windows Mail, Photo Gallery and Movie Maker.

[wholesaleapparel]

its very big requirements in upgrading to windows 7.

[Microsuck_ripoff]

I don't want to buy a new computer or OS! I am angry. I bought a Gateway 4 years ago, and the motherboard died already. After spending a bunch paying people to figure out the damn problem, I bought the new motherboard, and a new CDDVD disc drive. It won't let me log on!

If I have to buy a new operating system to use my salvaged computer, I'm going to be really mad. No wonder people are hacking and using fake codes etc. Microsoft, get your head out of your ass.

[Midir]

You probably need to take your head of your own first. It's not Microsoft's fault your mainboard died. Nor is it their fault you spent your money to have someone look at it. Replacing the mainboard with anything other than what was original to your system breaks the license agreement for the OEM version of Windows that was sold along with your system. And I imagine that is exactly why you cannot log on.

[n25philly]

You are right, it's Microsoft's fault that you are an idiot

[john55440]

In Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor's detailed report, I was disappointed that they didn't cover printers / printer drivers. Hopefully, they will do so in the future.

I pre-ordered the Windows 7 upgrade, to get a great price, but may not install it right away, just to be on the safe side.

[siriusproductions]

I have WinXP SP3. I ran the Vista Upgrade Advisor when it first came out and then again about six months later. Both times, the only items it said were not compatible were all, and I mean 100% all, Microsoft products. Everything else was Vista-ready.

Needless to say, I'm one of the people who stayed away from Vista in droves. I'm not in any more of a rush to get Windows 7. If I buy a new computer and it comes with the new OS, that's fine, but go out and buy it as an upgrade? No, thanks.

[AuldAne]

Wow, they actually recommend a new PC instead of an XP->7 upgrade (see the upgrade advisor link, near the end). I don't see why exactly, I've done this three times now and didn't have any serious trouble. But I'm pretty good with this stuff, so my definition of "serious" might not be the same as everyone. At any rate they're all working peachy now and it wasn't hard.

Then again, the upgrade process was never really intended for most users, and statistically hardly anyone buys retail copies of Windows -- they all get a new OS with a new computer. So if you're nervous, just wait. MS doesn't mind.

(but if you're not nervous, Win7 is definitely worth it)

[special_ed1]

I've been running Windows 7 RC on a home built system whcih is reasonably high-spec and it's been pretty stable,(blue screened once when I was in the middle of playing a game which was beating the hell out of my graphics card) but even on my crappy old emachines PC before it died, with a pretty slow processor and only around 1.4 GB Ram it seemed pretty bug free - connecting to my wireless network was a snap and any hardware I added was detected and updated with the correct drivers pretty much instantly. I know it's not cool to like MS but I think they've got it right with this OS

[DOTA AllMoons]

@microsuck_ripoff

if you don't know what you're talking, then shut your trap. you motherboard failure has nothing to do with Microsoft's OS. and don't tell me you signed up a Cnet account with such an atrocious handle just to bash MS for what was clearly the OEM's fault.

[prettylisa]

When Vista will get too many viruses I will change to Windows 7. It was the case with XP, when it got AutoPlay virus epidemia, it was time to change.

I tried and tested Windows 7 RC and I don't miss any new features included there. Besides RC came without search function. What is OS without possibility to search files ? (I want to search my files not index)

[TurboSuper]

I've been running Windows 7 RTM (That's right, not RC) for about a week now. I find it has even more compatibility issues than RC, but I guess that'll get sorted out after the official release. I find it much better than Vista, probably not worth $200 if that's what it'll cost you, though.

[taz3599]

Im have been using Windows 7 Professional the last few days and it runs great for me so far. I have had no issues with it and I find it much better than Windows Vista i am very happy i switched from Vista to 7.

[surfinmonkey]

I have installed windows 7 RC on 4 different computers and each one of them had problems with no drivers for the Lan which means no Internet Connection and no way to find drivers on the internet unless you have another computer or dual boot win7.
Each of my computers had win XP on it originally. I did not upgrade over XP,but made a seperate partition on my Hard Drive to make a full clean install of Windows 7.
Microsoft should make sure they have as many Lan and modem drivers as possible shipped with Windows 7 because any other drivers CAN be Downloaded after Win 7 is Installed.An upgrade is worth nothing if you cripple the only computer that some people have.No Internet Connection = no updates even if win 7 finds that you need extra drivers and software.