What do End Users need to do before installing Windows 7 upgrade DVD?
Good question! You don’t want to just stick the DVD in the drive, cross your fingers, and hope for the best. You want to take great care of your computer before installing a new operating system. Here are the steps you need to take:
1. What is the hardware requirement for your computer? This is crucial because even though W7 will work with most 512 MB systems, these are the requirements you need to have before an install:
A. A blank DVD
B. A PC that you can test Windows 7 Beta on so that you can see firsthand what the install does before you put it on your intended PC.
C. 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
D 1 GB of system memory
E. 16 GB of system disk space
F. Support of DirectX 9 graphics with 12GB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
G. DVD-R/W Drive
H. Internet access (to download the beta and get access)
And once you have gotten all that covered, you will want to do these things:
2. Backup Windows Vista.
If you are planning to upgrade from Windows Vista SP1 (this is a must) then it’s a good idea to backup your Vista drive so you can revert to Vista again easily. Hopefully you will know how to do this.
3. If you’re planning to wipe out Vista, then you do not need to worry about doing this, but if you need to backup your stuff, then do it
Backup Documents
Outlook pst file
Windows live writer folder
Games
Other program files that you use
4. Windows easy transfer helps you easily backup your files, folders, and program settings from one computer to another–in one easy process.
With Windows Easy Transfer, you can move:
User accounts
Documents
Music
Pictures
Internet favorites
Program settings
Move your download folder from the C drive to any other safe location so that you will not lose the downloaded files.
Though Microsoft recommends 16GB drive to install Windows 7 I recommend at least 30GB so that you won’t run out of free space in near feature.
If you have any files in Desktop just move to safe place since most of us keep important files on Desktop for quick access.
And finally don’t forget to retrieve Microsoft Office and other product keys using free programs like Winkey Folder.
Good luck!
