OPERATING SYSTEMS
Microsoft lists a minimum and recommended hardware spec for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, keep this in mind when building or upgrading your computer system.
For more information on Windows Vista see my FAQs
For more information on Windows 7 see my FAQs
For more information on Windows 8 see my FAQs
INFORMATION
OEM software is generally for system builders/upgraders, and is often provided unboxed.
Click
here to find out which XP products can be upgraded to Vista.
Click
here to view the system requirements for Windows Vista.
Click here to view the system requirements for Windows
7.
Click here for Microsoft's Windows 7 'Upgrade Advisor' application.
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Microsoft Release Preview
Windows 8 Release Preview, is a pre-release version of
Microsoft's next operating system. Please note that this
version is not supported by Microsoft.
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Microsoft Service Pack 1 Microsoft's service packs provide a simple and convenient way of applying the latest updates to their Operating Systems. These service packs are particularly
useful when installing or reinstalling an OS as they
replace the need to install dozens of smaller updates.
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Microsoft Home Premium Edition Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Faster and more reliable performance means your PC just works the way you want it to. And great features like HomeGroup and Windows Touch make new things possible. Get to know Windows 7, and see how it can simplify just about everything you do with your PC. The best entertainment experience on your PC, Windows 7 makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7. It doesn't matter how many neat
tricks your PC can do if it's not running as smoothly as you expect. So we
designed Windows 7 to help your PC sleep and resume faster. The new Action
Center puts control over system messages where it should be: with you. Windows 7
supports the latest advances in PC hardware, like 64-bit computing and
multi-core processors, and improved memory utilization helps your hardware reach
its full performance potential. FAQ | Tools | Review | Training
Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack contains a single (upgrade) license that can be installed on up to 3 computers within the same household.
With OEM versions of Windows your
licence |
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Microsoft Professional Edition Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Faster and more reliable performance means your PC just works the way you want it to. And great features like HomeGroup and Windows Touch make new things possible. Get to know Windows 7, and see how it can simplify just about everything you do with your PC. The best entertainment experience on your PC, Windows 7 makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7. It doesn't matter how many neat
tricks your PC can do if it's not running as smoothly as you expect. So we
designed Windows 7 to help your PC sleep and resume faster. The new Action
Center puts control over system messages where it should be: with you. Windows 7
supports the latest advances in PC hardware, like 64-bit computing and
multi-core processors, and improved memory utilization helps your hardware reach
its full performance potential. FAQ | Tools | Review | Training
With OEM versions of Windows your
licence |
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Microsoft Ultimate Edition Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Faster and more reliable performance means your PC just works the way you want it to. And great features like HomeGroup and Windows Touch make new things possible. Get to know Windows 7, and see how it can simplify just about everything you do with your PC. The best entertainment experience on your PC, Windows 7 makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7. It doesn't matter how many neat
tricks your PC can do if it's not running as smoothly as you expect. So we
designed Windows 7 to help your PC sleep and resume faster. The new Action
Center puts control over system messages where it should be: with you. Windows 7
supports the latest advances in PC hardware, like 64-bit computing and
multi-core processors, and improved memory utilization helps your hardware reach
its full performance potential. FAQ | Tools | Review | Training
With OEM versions of Windows your
licence |
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Microsoft Service Packs Microsoft's service packs provide a simple and convenient way of applying the latest updates to their Operating Systems. These service packs are particularly
useful when installing or reinstalling an OS as they
replace the need to install dozens of smaller updates.
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Microsoft All Editions
We no longer list any editions of Windows Vista because
of the release of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating
system. Windows 7 provides users with a superior Windows
experience, whilst maintaining system resources and so
represents much better value for money! |
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Microsoft Service Packs Microsoft's service packs provide a simple and convenient way of applying the latest updates to their Operating Systems. These service packs are particularly useful when installing or reinstalling an OS as they replace the need to install dozens of smaller updates.
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Microsoft All Editions
We no longer list any editions of Windows XP because of
the release of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system.
Windows 7 provides users with a superior Windows
experience, whilst maintaining system resources. Please
note Windows XP is no longer directly supported by
Microsoft and all security updates will cease in 2014. |
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VMWare VMware Player is the easiest way to run multiple operating systems at the same time on your PC. With its user-friendly interface, VMware Player makes it effortless for anyone to try out Windows 7, Chrome OS or the latest Linux releases, or create isolated virtual machines to safely test new software and surf the Web. VMware Player can also be used to run a virtual copy of an old PC so that you can recycle the old machines you have under your desk or stored in the closet. Registration Required. |
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Virtual Microsoft's Virtual PC lets you create separate virtual machines on your Windows desktop, each of which virtualizes the hardware of a complete physical computer. Use virtual machines to run operating systems such as MS-DOS, Windows, and OS/2. You can run multiple operating systems at once on a single physical computer and switch between them as easily as switching applications—instantly, with a mouse click. Virtual PC is perfect for any scenario in which you need to support multiple operating systems, whether you use it for tech support, legacy application support, training, or just for consolidating physical computers.
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Virtual Microsoft's Virtual PC lets you create separate virtual machines on your Windows desktop, each of which virtualizes the hardware of a complete physical computer. Use virtual machines to run operating systems such as MS-DOS, Windows, and OS/2. You can run multiple operating systems at once on a single physical computer and switch between them as easily as switching applications—instantly, with a mouse click. Virtual PC is perfect for any scenario in which you need to support multiple operating systems, whether you use it for tech support, legacy application support, training, or just for consolidating physical computers.
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Virtual VirtualBox is a general-purpose full virtualizer for x86 hardware. Targeted at server, desktop and embedded use, it is now the only professional-quality virtualization solution that is also Open Source Software. VirtualBox has an extremely modular design with well-defined internal programming interfaces and a client/server design. This makes it easy to control it from several interfaces at once: for example, you can start a virtual machine in a typical virtual machine GUI and then control that machine from the command line, or possibly remotely. VirtualBox also comes with a full Software Development Kit: even though it is Open Source Software, you don't have to hack the source to write a new interface for VirtualBox.
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