Windows 7 / Getting Started

Upgrade Windows Anytime

  1. Windows 7 has several editions with different features. See URL for details comparing editions. For a fee, you can upgrade to another edition. If you decide to upgrade to a version with more features or want to know more about your options, click Start, type anytime in the Search Programs and Files text box, and click Windows Anytime Upgrade in the resulting list of matching programs.
  2. The Windows Anytime Upgrade screen displays your current edition in the upper-right corner. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium. If you have Windows 7 Ultimate, you're done (since there's nothing to upgrade to from Ultimate).
    Tip If you have Windows 7 Starter, you may want the multimedia options in Home Premium. The Ultimate edition is less compelling.
  3. Click the link labeled Go Online to See If Your Computer Is Ready to Upgrade to Another Edition of Windows 7. Click Download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. On the next screen, click Download.
  4. In the File Download Security Warning dialog box, click Save. In the Save As dialog box, click Save. After download completes, click Run. If the dialog box doesn't stay open after downloading, choose Start?Computer and click Downloads on the left. Double-click the Upgrade Advisor installer. Click Next and OK as needed.
  5. After the installer finishes, click Start. Click Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on the Start menu. If the User Account Control dialog box prompts you for confirmation, click Yes.
  6. On the first Advisor screen, click Start Check. The process takes a few minutes to run. Read the resulting Report screen. If you want to refer to the report later, click Save Report. Click Close.
  7. Click Go Online to Choose the Edition of Windows 7 That's Best for You. Click Compare the Editions of Windows 7. Find your current edition in the columns of the chart. Look at editions to the right of your current edition. Do you see any features you want? If you don't see a feature you want, then you don't need to continue; close the window. If you see a feature you want, consider the following tip before proceeding to the next step.
    If your edition of Windows 7 lacks a feature you want or need, you may be able to find other programs with the missing feature. There are many good - even free - programs available for download from the Web. Take the time to research a program before you download and install it, to avoid unreliable or dangerous software. Two good sources for software reviews are www.downloadsquad.com and www.howtogeek.com.
  8. Click the button to upgrade from your current edition to the edition you intend to buy. Confirm your selection. On the payment screen, fill in the required information. Click Checkout.
  9. After a few minutes, Windows 7 completes downloading the missing features and upgrading the edition. Click Restart Now. When Windows 7 restarts, the Congratulations screen indicates your new edition.
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In this tutorial:

  1. Windows 7 and Other software Up to Date
  2. Understanding Windows Live
  3. Updates versus upgrades
  4. Why updates are important
  5. Windows Update
  6. Windows Update: The essentials
  7. Types of Updates
  8. Completing an Update
  9. Configuring automatic Updating
  10. Windows Update Applet and Functions
  11. Manually Install Updates Using Windows Update
  12. Action Center
  13. Updates Do Not Install Properly
  14. Other Windows Update Settings
  15. Configuring Windows 7 Update to Use a Proxy Server
  16. Can't Find Hidden Update
  17. Viewing and Changing Installed Updates
  18. Can't Uninstall Current Update
  19. Upgrade Windows Anytime
  20. Understanding Windows Server Update Services
  21. Windows Update Policies
  22. Updating Drivers
  23. Using Device Manager to Update Drivers
  24. Windows Update Driver Settings
  25. Windows 7 Service Packs
  26. Basic Service Pack Information
  27. Installation of Service Packs
  28. Installing and Removing Software
  29. Installation via CD or DVD
  30. Problem Installing from Disc
  31. Installation via Downloaded Program
  32. Viewing and Changing Programs
  33. Uninstalling Software
  34. Compatibility Issues in 64-Bit Version
  35. Upgrade Issues with 64-Bit Windows 7
  36. Other Program Compatibility Issues
  37. Side-by-Side Installs and Virtual Registries
  38. Removing Updates from Windows 7
  39. Thwarting Exploits with DEP
  40. Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
  41. Picking Computers to Scan
  42. Vulnerability Checks
  43. Installing MBSA
  44. Running the MBSA
  45. Running the MBSACLI
  46. MBSACLI Location
  47. Running in an Isolated Environment
  48. Using Windows Server Update Services
  49. WSUS Updates
  50. WSUS Requirements
  51. Installing, Configuring, and Using WSUS
  52. Adding the Application Server and Web Server (IIS) Roles
  53. Installing the Report Viewer
  54. Installing WSUS
  55. Configuring Group Policy Settings for WSUS
  56. Creating a GPO to Configure Clients to Use WSUS
  57. Verifying That Clients Are Using GPO Settings for WSUS
  58. Verifying That Clients Are Using GPO Settings with GPResult
  59. Creating Computer Groups on WSUS
  60. Approving Updates in WSUS
  61. Viewing WSUS Reports