Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer speaks to IT professionals about Windows 7 on Oct. 21 at the company's New Efficiency event in Toronto. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer speaks to IT professionals about Windows 7 on Oct. 21 at the company's New Efficiency event in Toronto. (Microsoft)Microsoft launched MS-DOS, its first operating system for mainstream desktop computers, in 1981. Twenty-eight years and six operating systems later, the company is rolling out Windows 7.

If you buy a new desktop PC or notebook in the coming months, it will probably come with Windows 7 installed, but is this operating system for you? Will it work with your existing software? Can you install it on your old computer?

If you're a PC user, here are the basic things you'll want to know about the latest Microsoft operating system.

Can my PC run on Windows 7?

Before lining up to purchase Windows 7 to upgrade an existing computer, users should try downloading the Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft. Microsoft boasts that Windows 7 is an easier, faster operating system than its predecessors. Windows Vista users should be able to do a relatively painless upgrade, but an upgrade from Windows XP can be more complicated.

The Upgrade Advisor, found on Microsoft's website, will tell you whether there are any compatibility issues with Windows 7 and your computer. While Microsoft says most applications that work on Vista will work on Windows 7, it is important to note that the company does not recommend upgrading directly from Windows XP. So, Windows XP users will likely need to back up all their existing files, install Windows 7 on their computer from scratch, re-install all their programs, and then copy files such as documents and pictures back onto their hard drive.

What are the system requirements?

All of the following requirements are necessary to run any of the three different flavours of the Windows 7 operating system:

  • 1GHz CPU.
  • 1 gigabyte of memory (RAM).
  • At least 16 gigabytes of available hard disk space for the 32-bit version; or at least 20GB of available disk space for the 64-bit version.
  • A DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.

Is my software and hardware compatible with Windows 7?

The Microsoft website has an extensive list of software and hardware that is compatible with Windows 7, as well as those that have problems. If one of your favourite applications is not on the list, that doesn't necessarily mean it won't work, though. If a program isn't working after you've installed it, right-click on the application's icon and select "troubleshoot compatibility." You will be able to tweak the compatibility settings in Windows 7 to try to get the program to run properly.

What are the new design elements?

Microsoft says Windows 7 improves upon the Aero graphical interface released in Windows Vista. The new tools, Aero Peek, Aero Shake and Snap, allow users to manage multiple opened folders on their desktop.

Aero Peek allows people to quickly view what's on their desktop by simply clicking a button on the desktop to make all the opened windows transparent.

With a quick "shake" (clicking a window and moving it from side to side with your mouse), Aero Shake will minimize all the other windows on the screen.

With Snap, users can grab two windows and attach one to each side of the screen. The windows will automatically resize themselves so that each one takes up half the screen.

The Aero platform also provides additional desktop themes, giving the user more options to customize their desktop.

How is the user interface different?

Similar to Apple's latest Mac OS, Windows 7 allows you to pin documents, folders and applications to the taskbar. With a feature called Jump Lists, people can right-click any pinned item on the taskbar to reveal the most frequently used elements. For example, right-clicking a pinned Microsoft Word icon would reveal a list of the last documents used.

Microsoft has also made it easier to search for documents on your computer. Expanding on Vista's desktop search system, Windows 7 has a new feature that allows users to search any folder or library by entering key words in a search box window. It will provide suggestions for other search options and enable you to fine-tune any search with additional filters. The new feature will allow you to view preview files from your query directly in the folder instead of opening the document.

Is there improved security?

The business version of Windows 7 has an encryption system called BitLocker (it's not included with the Home Premium edition). BitLocker is meant to protect sensitive files on your computer from hackers and theft.

Windows 7 also has improved parental controls. The new settings will allow parents to track their children's computer usage and even enable them to control when and how long a child can use the computer. This feature can also control what type of game a child can play based on the game's rating.

Is it faster than my old OS?

To streamline its operating system, Microsoft has removed some of the applications that were built into previous releases. These include: Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Make, Windows Photo Gallery, Outlook Express. Users who want them will now have to download these free applications from the Microsoft website.

PCMag.com compared Windows 7 with its predecessor Windows Vista. Using similar computers, PCMag.com's testing revealed that Windows 7 is significantly faster in almost all areas. However, it has yet to be confirmed whether the new operating system will run smoothly. If comments from the release of its beta version are any indication, Windows 7 is likely to be a stable OS.

How much does Windows 7 cost?

Retail prices (Canadian dollars):

  • Windows 7 Ultimate: $349.99.
  • Windows 7 Home Premium: $224.99.
  • Windows 7 Professional: $329.99.
  • Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade: $279.99.
  • Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade: $129.99.
  • Windows 7 Professional Upgrade: $249.99.

A history of Microsoft operating systems

(Gallery compiled by Christine Peloquin)