Windows 7 Professional is thelatest Microsoft operating system. It features enhanced performance, asimplified interface, expanded search capabilities, and more secure networking.This 64-bit version operates on a computer with a 64-bit processor and 64-bitdrivers.
This is anupgrade product. To install this operating system, you must have a licencedinstallation of one of the following operating systems on the device where youare installing the upgrade: Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, or Ultimate;Windows XP Professional or Tablet PC; Windows 2000 Professional; Windows NTWorkstation 4.0; or Windows 98. You cannot upgrade from any Home edition of Windows. Unless you are upgrading from Windows Vista, thisinstallation requires a "clean install." This means that if thecomputer has an existing operating system, you must remove all operating systemfiles and applications, install the system, and reinstall the applications. Forcomplete information, see TechSoup Windows 7 Upgrade Steps andChecklist.
Windows 7Professional requires significant system resources, as detailed below. It islikely that PCs currently running an operating system older than Windows Vistamight not be able to run Windows 7. For a good start on evaluating whether toupgrade, see TechSoup Should You Upgrade to Windows 7?.
Important Volume LicencingInformation: WithWindows 7, organisations can choose between two types of volume licence keysfor product activation: a Key Management Service (KMS) licence key or aMultiple Activation Key (MAK). Organisations will be provided with a Key ManagementService (KMS) key for Windows 7 by default on the Microsoft Volume Licencingwebsite; that is, this is the only type of key an organisation will see unlessthey request a MAK.
A KMS keyrequires at least 25 computers on a network for activation. Organisations withfewer than 25 computers should request a MAK from the Volume Licencing websiteafter receiving this product. For information about obtaining a MAK or decidingwhich type of key to use, see TechSoup Guide to Microsoft Volume LicencingKeys.
Acquiring the Installation Mediaand Licence Key:Installing this product requires installation media and a licence key.Installation media will be shipped to you free of charge.
The licencekey allows you to use the installation media to install the product on as manycomputers as you have received donations for. This quantity is specified in thedonation email sent to your organisation email address after your eligibilityhas been verified and your administrative fee has been received.
· Under the Software Assurance programme, customers acquire the right to install any new release of products covered in the agreement during the term of their coverage.
· Windows Search allows users to conduct a systemwide search for programmes, documents, pictures, music, and email. When users start typing in the Start menu search box, results will appear even before the search terms are completely entered.
· The Action Center consolidates maintenance and security features — and allows users to choose exactly when Windows 7 should send alerts to users.
· The Domain Join and HomeGroup networking features simplify connecting to an office domain or sharing printers, documents, pictures, music, and video on a network.
· Improved power management settings and features in Windows 7 allow users to save energy by reducing power consumption. Improvements include automatic screen dimming, powering off unused ports, and a more accurate battery-life indicator.
Hardware:
· 1-GHz (or higher) 64-bit (x86) processor
· 1 GB or more RAM
· 16 GB available hard-disk space
· DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.0 or later driver
· DVD drive
Additional requirements to use certain features:
· For sound — audio output
· For Windows XP Mode — an additional 1 GB RAM, an additional 15 GB available hard-disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
· For some Windows Media Center functionality — a TV tuner and additional hardware
· For Windows Touch Technology — touch screen
· For HomeGroup file and printer sharing — networked PCs running Windows 7
Product functionality and appearance might vary with system configuration.
