Windows 7 is certainly gaining a lot of press in the tech industry, and most of it is pretty positive. I’ve enjoyed my time with the operating system. It’s slicker and better put together than either Vista or Windows XP, and it’s really one of the best operating systems that Microsoft has made. However, before you prepare to upgrade or install Windows 7, there are a few things you should do.
Here’s a few tips that you’ll want to consider before installing Windows 7.
1. Read up on bugs. There are certain bugs and issues that have occurred for some users who have tried to install Windows 7. Mainly, these tend to be associated with download and upgrade copies. Read up on the version you’ve bought (or the version of Windows 7 that you’re considering buying) before you begin the install process, so you know what to do if you’re one of the unfortunate few who encounter these problems. They’re mainly minor, but some, like the perpetual restart error, can be a real hassle.
2. Look up drivers. Before installing Windows 7, it’s a good idea to see if you can find drivers for any hardware that your system has that might not be immediately supported out of the box. You’ll especially want to look up graphics card drivers and drivers for your ethernet card to make sure that you’re covered. Vista drivers will work well if the manufacturer of your hardware hasn’t come out with Windows 7 drivers yet. Getting the relevant drivers for your Internet hardware is especially important, as otherwise it might be a pain to find the rest of your drivers once the OS is installed.
3. Back up your data. If you’re upgrading, you should back up your data before even putting the Windows 7 installation disc in your computer’s disc drive. It’s a good precaution to take, as the alternative may be accidentally ending up with a nice, working OS, but none of your critical data. Regular data backup is simply a good computer maintenance habit to take up.
4. Budget some time. Windows 7 will take some time to install. While it’s going, you can read up on the documentation. This will give you a good idea of the new features of the operating system. You might also decide to simply run the installation on a break or overnight, as much of it is unattended. Windows 7 will give you an accurate idea of the time remaining in the install process as it loads.
Do you know of any other things to do before installing Windows 7? Post in our comments section below.
