Datasheet

44 Chapter 1
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Installing Windows 7
Summary
This chapter started with a discussion of the new features introduced by Windows 7, such
as the Windows Taskbar, Jump Lists, a new preview pane, Windows Touch, Windows XP
Mode, simpler home networking, Device Stage, View Available Networks, and the new
Windows Internet Explorer 8 (IE8).
We also took a look at the difference between 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems
and showed some of the advantages that 64-bit entails, such as greater RAM and
processor speed.
Then you learned about installing Windows 7. Installation is an easy process, but you
must fi rst make sure the machine is compatible with the Windows 7 operating system.
There are two main ways to install Windows 7: upgrade or clean install. You can
upgrade a Windows Vista machine to Windows 7. You can migrate the user’s data and
information from a Windows XP machine, but there is no direct upgrade option.
After the Windows 7 installation is complete, you’ll want to make sure all updates and
service packs are installed. You can use Windows Update to complete that task.
Exam Essentials
Understand the Windows 7 hardware requirements. The minimum hardware
requirements to run Windows 7 properly are a CPU (processor) of at least 1 GHz (32-bit
or 64-bit processor), at least 1 GB of memory (RAM) for 32-bit and 2 GB of memory for
64-bit, a hard disk with 16 GB of available disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit), a video
adapter, support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB of memory (to enable the Aero
theme), a DVD-R/W drive, and a compatible network interface card.
Understand the Hardware Compatibility List. The Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
is an extensive list of computers and peripheral hardware that have been tested with the
Windows 7 operating system. The hardware and supported drivers on the HCL have
been put through rigorous tests to ensure their compatibility with Windows 7. Microsoft
guarantees that the items on the list meet the requirements for Windows 7 and do not have
any incompatibilities that could affect the stability of the operating system.
Understand how to complete a clean install. If your machine meets the minimum
hardware requirements, you can install Windows 7. There are a few different ways to
install Windows 7 onto a computer. You can install Windows 7 using the installation disk,
USB, over a network, or from an image (see Chapter 2 for more details).
Understand how to complete an upgrade. You can upgrade a Windows Vista machine to
Windows 7. To complete an upgrade on a Windows Vista machine, insert the Windows 7
DVD into the Vista machine or connect to the Windows 7 fi les over the network and
complete an upgrade on the computer.
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