| Questions on Windows 7? Find your answers here: |
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| 1. |
When will the actual product be available? |
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Windows 7 is scheduled to be released three years following the general availability of Windows Vista |
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| 2. |
Will Windows 7 work on my PC? |
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Windows® 7 System Requirements
- 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1GB RAM (32-bit) / 2GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX® 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and editions of Windows 7 will run on your computer; Click here for Upgrade advisor.
Additional Requirements to use Certain Features:
- Internet Access (fees may apply)
- Depending on resolution video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware
- For some Windows® Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
- Windows Touch and Windows Tablet require specific hardware
- HomeGroup requires a network and PCs with Windows 7
- DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
- BitLocker™ requires TPM1.2; BitLocker To Go™ requires a USB Flash Drive
- Music and sound require audio output
- Windows XP Mode requires:
- Additional 1GB of RAM
- Additional 15GB of available disk space
- Processor capable of hardware virtualization, with Intel-VT or AMD-V turned on
Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some features may require advanced or additional hardware.
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| 3. |
What happens if I pre-order and Windows 7 doesn’t work on my PC? |
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Before ordering, please check your PC to see if it meets the system requirements above. Before you open the software to install it, run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. If you do have problems, please contact the people you bought the software from, either your retailer or MicrosoftStore.com, for specific return terms and conditions. back to top |
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| 4. |
I am running Windows XP, can I upgrade to Windows 7 |
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Microsoft designed Windows 7 upgrade media for Windows Vista. A customer with Windows XP can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade media but must back up their files, clean install and then reinstall their applications. back to top |
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| 5. |
What is the Windows 7 Upgrade Option program? |
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Specifically designated PCs that are pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Ultimate may qualify for an upgrade to the equivalent Windows 7 product. Similarly, in some markets, retail packaged Windows Vista software products (sold separately from PCs) may also qualify for an upgrade to the equivalent Windows 7 product. The upgrades will be provided to qualifying customers when the Windows 7 product becomes available in the market (also known as “Windows 7 General Availability”). back to top |
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| 6. |
What are the “equivalent” Windows 7 products for Windows Vista? |
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Windows Vista Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows Vista Business -> Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate back to top |
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| 7. |
How can I tell if the PC or software program qualifies for the offer? |
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If you can’t tell whether a PC or software program qualifies based on the package or associated marketing material, please consult your retailer or PC manufacturer to see if it is included in the program. back to top |
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| 8. |
I bought a new PC with Windows Vista Home Premium in July 2009. Why don’t I qualify for the Windows 7 Upgrade Option offer? |
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Participation in the Windows 7 Upgrade Option is decided by the retailers and PC manufacturers. There are costs associated with implementing the offers so they may opt out of the program for certain models, particular, timeframes or in specific markets. We encourage customers to work with their retailers and PC manufacturers to better understand availability. back to top |
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| 9. |
How do I place an order for the Windows 7 upgrade once I have made a qualifying purchase? |
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Exact implementation details may vary by PC manufacturer and retailer so please consult the offer materials that came with your purchase. back to top |
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| 10. |
What do I need to do to get my Windows 7 upgrade? |
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First, look for a coupon or form in the packaging that came with your PC or software program or the original sales receipt. If you can’t find information on how to get the upgrade, please contact the PC manufacturer if you purchased a qualifying PC or contact your retailer if you purchased retail packaged Windows Vista software. back to top |
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| 11. |
When should I place my order? |
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You should find information about deadlines on a coupon or form included with your PC or software program or the original sales receipt. If you don’t find the coupon or order form, please contact the PC manufacturer if you purchased a qualifying PC or contact your retailer if you purchased retail packaged Windows Vista software. In many cases, you’ll be able to order the upgrade right after you buy your PC or software, even if that’s before Windows 7 is available. back to top |
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| 12. |
Will the upgrade cost anything extra? |
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The upgrade offers will vary by PC manufacturer and retailer so please check with them for details. back to top |
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| 13. |
How long is the Windows 7 Upgrade Option available? |
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Exact dates may vary by market, retailer or PC manufacturer, but the program starts on June 26, 2009 and will end no later than January 31, 2010. The deadline for placing an order may also vary by offer, but can be no later than April 30, 2010. back to top |
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| 14. |
When will I receive my Windows 7 upgrade product once I have placed my order? |
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Product shipment times will vary by offer and location, but the earliest you could expect to receive your upgrade product would be around the time of Windows 7 general availability (GA). The GA date has not yet been determined. Please contact your PC manufacturer or retailer for more information. back to top |
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| 15. |
I bought a qualifying Windows Vista Business-based PC but I used downgrade rights to install Windows XP Professional. Do I still qualify for the upgrade? |
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Yes, a system that was sold with a Windows Vista Business Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and has Windows XP Professional installed, and meets all other program offer requirements can be eligible for the Windows 7 Upgrade Option offer. Please note that the Windows 7 upgrade media that will be provided was designed for Windows Vista product upgrades. If you are installing the Windows 7 upgrade on a PC currently running Windows XP, you will need to back up your files, do a clean install of the Windows 7 product, and then reinstall your applications and transfer your files in order to perform the switch to Windows 7. back to top |
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| 16. |
The upgrade media is only available on optical DVD. What do I do if I don’t have a compatible DVD drive? |
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If you do not have a compatible DVD drive available, we suggest you rent, borrow, or buy one if you want to do the installation yourself. Alternatively, you can take your PC and DVD to a service provider that has a DVD drive available that can be used to do the upgrade. Applicable charges may apply. back to top |
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| 17. |
If I purchased a qualifying Windows Vista product in one language version, can I get a different language version for the upgrade? For example, if my PC came with a French version of Windows Vista Home Premium can I get the upgrade as Spanish Windows 7 Home Premium? |
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The Windows 7 Upgrade Option program does not allow for language switching. The language version of the Windows Vista product that you ordered will be the language version of the Windows 7 product you will receive. back to top |
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| 18. |
I received my DVD and tried to install Windows 7 but can’t perform the upgrade. Who should I contact for support? |
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If your Windows 7 Upgrade Option offer came with a Windows Vista-based PC, it is supported by your PC manufacturer so please contact that company for support. If you purchased a retail packaged software product (sold separately from a PC), then it is supported by Microsoft. You may want to contact your local retailer for support. back to top |
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