Information Before Installing Windows 7

Windows 7 (formerly codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna) is the latest version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, with general retail availability set for October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, is slated for release at about the same time.

Windows 7 Boot Screen. Source : Tech Blog

Windows 7 RC is pre-release software, so please read the following to get an idea of the risks and key things that need to know before try the RC.

1. Downloads will be available until August 20, 2009. After that, you can still install the RC and you can get a product key if you need one.


2. Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You'll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use.


3. Protect your PC and data. Be sure to back up your data and please don't test the RC on your primary home or business PC.


4. Tech details/updates: Before installing the RC, please read the Release Notes and Things to Know for important information about the release.


5. Keep your PC updated: Be sure to turn on automatic updates in Windows Update in case we publish updates for the RC.


6. Installation: You can install the Windows 7 RC on a PC running Windows Vista without backing up the PC—but we encourage you to make a backup for safe keeping. If you're running Windows XP or the Windows 7 Beta, you'll need to backup your data, then do a clean installation of the RC, then reinstall your applications and restore your data.


7. To install and use the RC, you'll need to know how to:




• Troubleshoot problems. You're pretty much flying solo, so you'll need to handle your own tech support, and rely on other RC testers for their know-how


• Burn an ISO file to make an installation DVD


• Install Windows


• Backup and restore your PC


• Set up a network


• Create and use a system recovery disk




8. Requirement specification




• Troubleshoot problems. You're pretty much flying solo, so you'll need to handle your own tech support, and rely on other RC testers for their know-how


• 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor


• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)


• 16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)


• DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver


• Internet access (to download Windows 7 RC and get updates)

Taken from :
1. Windows 7 Official Website
2. Windows 7 Wikipedia