Windows 7 Quick Question

Recently, one of our readers asked a question deemed worthy of a response. The question was asked about the new Microsoft Windows 7 operating system, which is expected to come out later this year. The question was, verbatim, “Will upgrade be available from Vista users that downgraded to XP?”

While Windows 7 Upgrade (available for a limited time at about half off retail price if you preorder now) was meant to be a quick upgrade for Windows Vista, people are wondering if the upgrade will be available to users currently running Windows XP. We go to Microsoft’s frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for Windows 7 for the answer.

First of all, Microsoft states that in order to purchase and install the Windows 7 Upgrade, one must have a genuine copy of Windows XP or Windows Vista. So that looks promising. The final question on the FAQ poses, “I am running Windows XP, can I upgrade to Windows 7?” The answer provided is, “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.”

So there’s your answer. Although the Windows 7 Upgrade is intended to be a quick update for Windows Vista, a user with Windows XP is able to upgrade to Windows 7 after a full install.

Microsoft Employs a new type of Certification Examination

The 83-640 Microsoft Exam is a new exam which features actual emulations of Windows Servers on the examination. Previously, in the 70-640 exam, there were only multiple choice questions and simulations. Emulations allow users to practice any normal Operating System (OS) task instead of a finite amount of steps that simulations allow. Now, students are given the chance to log in on a secure Microsoft server, and actually test in real-time on an Operating System. For example, a user is allowed to completely remove the OS from the server, but all the settings will be set back to default after an hour of emulation.

The 83-640 exam is used to test and certify for the MCTS: Windows Server 2008 course as well as MCITP: Enterprise Administrator and MCITP: Server Administrator for Windows 2008 courses. However, not every country is completely switched over to the 83-640 form. Most places are still using the 70-640 exam. The new exam still covers the same topics that the courses outline, but the method of examination is changed. Also, there are still multiple choice questions; only part of the exam has been changed to test real-time skills required.

Along with the new exam type come new practice exams. Transcender is a leader in certification practice exams, and has developed a new practice test for the 83-640 emulation exam. They have released a new practice module that gives students 60-day use of Microsoft’s secure servers on which to practice. Simulating the exam scenario, users are given one hour to perform tasks within the OS, and then scored after that hour. Upon grading, users are shown their mistakes, and are given two methods in which to learn the correct procedure. The first method is a step-by-step explanation of the correct steps. The other is a flash program that shows the user the correct way to complete the scenarios visually. Additionally, if you have already purchased the 70-640 practice module, Transcender will give you a discount for the 83-640 practice module.

Windows 7 Preorder Shows Promise

Windows 7, the new Operating System (OS) from Microsoft, is showing great promise from presales on online stores such as Amazon. This is assuring for Microsoft, who has not been satisfied with sales from their most recent OS, Windows Vista. Windows 7 is set to release in October of this year, so preorders are jumping up at most of the popular stores.

Windows 7 is an upgrade from Vista and XP in terms of overall layout and in terms of resource management. While still a work in progress, betas and leaks of the new OS have shown promise of better performance than the previous operating systems. Microsoft looks to capitalize in upgrades from XP and Vista to Windows 7. Microsoft had tried to promote Vista as best as they can: by cutting support for the system a number of times after Vista was released, by not selling copies of XP after a while, and also by forcing some PC buyers to go with Vista, and charging extra for XP. Customers were wary of Vista, and there were many accounts of businesses and homes alike reverting back to XP or never upgrading to Vista.

Microsoft looks to right the ship when it releases Windows 7, which will feature an easier-to-use graphical user interface, and will have better promotions and deals. For example, on a presale of Windows 7 on Amazon, customers and companies are able to preorder the new operating system for up to half off on the Professional version for around $99, and more than half off the Home Premium for about $49. Also, Microsoft plans to make Windows 7 available free to people who purchase a notebook or desktop with Windows Vista in the near future, so students who purchase a computer for school for this fall will have a chance to upgrade for free come October. However, a small shipping or maintenance fee might be included from the computer-making companies, but it is nothing compared to the cost to upgrade a whole system.

When introducing a new system, it is important for businesses to have a smooth transition. In order for this to happen, employees must be properly trained in using the new operating system. Windows 7 is easy to learn, but it still has a learning curve when beginning to use it. So it is important for companies to have certified training courses for Windows 7 for their employees.

If you are looking to make a systems migration to the new Windows 7 when its released, be sure to hire the appropriate IT outsourcing company who can handle the job, and be sure to ask if their employees are trained on the new product. An untrained IT support consultant can make the windows migration process a much bigger pain than it has to be.