Product Variants

FPP (Boxed)

Other product variants may be available, please contact us or request a call back if you cannot see what you are looking for.

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Product Information

Windows 7 is the newest Microsoft operating system that adds time saving new features such as the new taskbar and jump lists and increases performance, reliability and compatibility. With new networking capabilities, mobile computing features, multi-touch and a new device manager, Windows is easier to use than ever before and it's faster too with improved start-up and shutdown speeds. The new security features available in Windows 7, such as easily backing up and restoring files, encrypting data with BitLocker (only available in Enterprise/Ultimate) and Windows Defender, you can be sure your important data is backed up, protected and secure.

Windows 7 is available in 4 major editions - Home Premium is designed for home users, Professional is designed for business use and Enterprise (only available on Microsoft Software Assurance)/Ultimate are the most advanced versions designed for businesses and consumers respectively.

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New Features

• Enhanced Desktop - Windows 7 features a new taskbar that makes it easier to access your commonly used programmes and switch between them. Hover over the icons on the taskbar and previews of the running applications are displayed - for example thumbnail previews of all open Internet Explorer tabs are displayed when Internet Explorer is hovered over. Easily access recently used or user selected files using Jump List. Jump List displays all your recent documents on the taskbar when right clicked. Windows 7 also features news ways to work with windows. It is easier to tile windows, rearrange them and resize them by dragging them to different areas of the screen. Windows 7 gadgets are now more flexible, there is no longer a sidebar, gadgets can be placed anywhere.

• Increased performance - Windows 7 represents a significant performance improvement beyond Windows Vista. Windows 7 is more responsive and starts up, shuts down and goes in and out of standby quicker. Windows 7 has reduced power consumption handy for laptop batteries, by adapting the brightness of the display if the computer has not been used for a while. The power required to play DVD's has been reduced too and processing power is used more efficiently. Windows 7 has improved compatibility - most of the drivers and software that work with Windows Vista should work with Windows 7 and extends the life of Windows XP applications with Windows XP Mode (see below). Windows 7 interrupts less often. The new Action Center displays messages and problems to do with your computer - providing one central location for tasks and notifications. It's easier to fix problems too, with new troubleshooting wizards.

• Search - The improved Windows Search can quickly find what you're looking for - be it a file, email or application. Libraries show all content of a particular type together - for example photos, documents and music saved in multiple locations can easily be viewed in one place by using libraries.

• Windows XP Mode - Available in Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate, XP Mode runs a virtualised version of Windows XP on your Windows 7 computer to seamlessly run legacy applications that will not run on Windows 7.

• Advanced Backup - Schedule backups of specific data or the entire system to either the local filesystem or a network.

• Networking - Easily manage your network with the new HomeGroup functionality. HomeGroup allows you to easily add computers to your HomeGroup network, specify exactly what you want to share and easily share it, share printers and easily find shared files. The new View Available Network (VAN) functionality makes viewing and connecting to any of your networks simple. There is easy one click access to Wireless, LAN, mobile broadband, wireless or VPN.

• Device Management - Device management is now all handled in one location. The Devices and Printers screen allows you to connect, manage and use whatever devices are available. Device Stage is a new feature that helps you to interact with any compatible devices - see their status and run common tasks from one location. Windows 7 supports location-aware printing so whether you are at home or work - the document prints to the right location.

• Media Center - Windows Media Center sports a streamlined user interface, support for new types of content and digital TV (requires additional hardware). Easily steam media from your computer to another device and view, listen to and watch you media from any internet connected computer, anywhere.

• Windows Touch - Windows 7 has full touch screen support. The Taskbar, Windows Explorer and the Start Menu all fully support touch technology. If you own a touch screen monitor you can use your fingers to click, scroll, resize windows, play media and pan and zoom. New multi-touch technology allows you to use more than one finger to control what is happening, for example, zoom in and out on image by moving two fingers together or apart.

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Benefits

Get more done

• Longer battery life, location-aware printing and offline files means mobile workers can be productive anywhere
• Windows Desktop Search, Jump Lists, Live Taskbar previews and more help to easily find files and navigate through the operating system
• Domain Join, Remote Desktop and HomeGroup all help to make networking easy to configure and use.

Work how you want

• Windows 7 starts up, resumes and is ready to go in seconds. Improved memory utilisation and 64 bit computing support means Windows 7 is fast and responsive.
• Software and devices that work on Windows Vista are likely to work on Windows 7.

Protect and secure your data

• Backup and Restore schedules automatic backups to save specific data or the entire system to a separate location. Easily restore individual files and folders if they accidentally get deleted.
• Bitlocker in Windows 7 Enterprise/Ultimate helps to protect confidential information with powerful encryption technology so if data gets lost/stolen it cannot be read.
• Windows Defender protects computers from spyware and other forms of malicious software and Internet Explorer 8 delivers increased protection against Internet and privacy threats.

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Licensing

Windows 7 can be purchased through a variety of ways, including retail and volume licensing. Please see our 'Microsoft Licensing' buyers guide on the left for an overview of Microsoft Volume Licensing schemes. For more information and to purchase on Volume Licensing, please contact us directly.

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Editions

Home Premium

Windows 7 Home Premium is a low cost edition designed for home users who want to use take advantage of the improved performance, security and functionality available in Windows 7.

• Navigation - an improved desktop makes it easier and quicker to do your daily tasks
• Search - improved search means finding documents and launching application is easier
• HomeGroup - a new way to create and manage your home network

Professional

Windows 7 Professional, designed for home and business users alike, provides the functionality required for business use along with powerful new features such as Windows XP Mode.

Windows 7 Professional includes (along with the features of Home Premium):

• Windows XP mode - applications that do not natively run on Windows 7 can be virtulised and run on Windows XP with complete integration for Windows 7.
• Domain Join - easily connect to company networks
• Backup - Easily restore your data with automatic backup to your network

Enterprise/Ultimate

Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate are the most advanced versions of Windows 7. The Enterprise edition, designed for business use, can only be obtained using Microsoft Software Assurance whilst the Ultimate edition is designed for home users who want all the Windows features.

Windows 7 Enterprise/Ultimate includes (along with the features of Home Premium and Professional):

• BitLocker drive encryption - secure your data from loss or theft by encrypting it
• Support for 35 languages

In addition, purchasing the Enterprise edition, together with Windows Server provides these unique benefits:

• DirectAccess - Fast secure remote Internet access to corporate networks without requiring VPN
• BranchCache - Cache data from the WAN to increase performance in branch offices
• Enterprise Search Scope - Search remote data sources such as Office SharePoint Server
• BitLocker to Go - Encrypt data on removal storage
• AppLocker - prevent unauthorised software from running on your computers
• Previous Windows Vista Enterprise exclusives such as Subsystem for UNIX and licence rights for running additional copies of virtualised Windows

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System Req.

The system requirements for Windows 7:

• 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Additional requirements for certain features:

• Internet access (fees may apply)
• Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware
• For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
• Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware
• HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7
• DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
• BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2
• BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive
• Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
• Music and sound require audio output

Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some features may require advanced or additional hardware.