We all know Windows 7 isn’t going to be released until September of this year, but why not get a head start on determining what version will work best for your company?

Microsoft has confirmed that there will be 6 separate versions of Windows 7 when the new OS is launched.  Some versions will not be available in the United States, don’t fret, these are the versions of Windows 7 you wouldn’t want. They lack the ability to share an internet connection and run more than 3 programs simultaneously.. not an ideal application for use in a business setting.

 The run-down on version Features:

Windows 7 Home Premium: Includes multi-touch capability, media functionality, and the ability to create home network groups; geared more towards the home user.

Windows 7 Professional:  Includes enhanced networking feature, backup and offline folders. This version is geared towards small business users.

Windows 7 Enterprise: This edition will only be sold through volume licensing to companies which have Software Assurance contract with Microsoft.

Windows 7 Ultimate: Windows 7 Ultimate contains the same features as Windows 7 Enterprise, but unlike that edition it will be available to home users on an individual license basis. Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional users will be able to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate for a fee using Windows Anytime Upgrade if they wish to do so.

Need help determining what version will work best in your business environment? Or want more information on version features, contact MTI today. 

Microsoft rates the IE and Excel fixes as critical The IE update will patch all the supported versions of the browser ( IE 5.0, 6 & 7). The excel patch will fix the vulnerability that hackers tapped into a couple months back that allowed them to deliver a Trojan horse to targeted machines. The Trojan acts as a downloader that is capable of retrieving and installing additional malware on the hijacked computer. The patch will fix excel versions 2000, 2002, 2003 & 2007.

 According to Microsoft, three of the Windows updates are also deemed critical, meaning a hacker could take advantage of the flaws they patch to run unauthorized software on a PC. The ISA patch is rated important; an attacker could use this bug to crash a system and the other two Windows flaws could be used to elevate privileges to gain access to unauthorized resources on the PC.

 To ensure that your systems are up-to-date MTI Tech Solutions recommends installing the latest set of patches as soon as possible. 

* Please note, not all machines are equipped for the updates; similarly some software programs like Oracle & QuickBooks can be rendered inoperable due to the patch install.  Contact MTI today to schedule your on-site visit today!

This will entail more “work” i.e. backing up your dating, erasing XP and installing Windows 7, however a clean install is not necessarily a bad thing. Any viruses, registry error or other performance flaws will not be carried over into Windows 7.

Plan on making the jump from Vista?

An in-place upgrade will be available for PC users making the jump from Vista and will preserve your applications & preferences. However, MTI Tech Solutions recommends a clean install even for Vista users to avoid the “performance flaws” that could be carried over from Vista.

Want to learn more about Windows 7 or start making preparations for the upgrade? Contact MTI today. 

Fast forward ahead 6 months and guess what? Microsoft, once again, has further extended the life of Windows XP and allowed computer makers to include the operating system on low-cost desktop PCs. Our guess, Microsoft finally realized how crucial the low-end PC market is to their overall success. Realistically, a slimmed-down version of Vista would have no chance against a trimmed down Linux version especially when it comes to speed and price.

For those of you in love with XP and in hate with Vista, this is good news! The downside? Lower end laptops and PC’s are equipped with sub-par processors, memory, and hard drive space.  In addition, XP Home is typically not designed for business environments and lacks certain functions such as remote desktop and domain membership support.

Find yourself chanting, I want XP PRO? Despite what Microsoft says, you can still get XP PRO, contact MTI to learn how.