Windows 7: Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Are drivers available for the Windows 7 operating system, and if so, how can I access them?

Dell will begin posting Windows 7 drivers to the Dell Support Web site in October 2009 when we launch Windows 7. In rare cases, there may be no Windows 7 drivers available for some hardware and software.

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2.  What are the hardware requirements for Windows 7?

The following table shows the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7 as provided by Microsoft:

These minimum requirements are for basic computing tasks such as word processing and Web browsing. Additional memory and graphics may be required for more powerful computing tasks.

Additionally, the following are the minimum hardware requirements for running Windows 7 in Windows XP Mode:

• Processor: Intel® VT or AMD-V™ 
• Memory: 2GB (32-bit), 3GB (64-bit)
• Available Disk Space: 15GB

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3.  What is Dell doing to qualify legacy systems for Windows 7?

When testing legacy platforms, we execute the same tests on each platform and perform specific testing if the configuration contains a device, such as Bluetooth®, wireless or modem.

Legacy testing includes determining Windows 7 basic functionality, such as:

• Hardware devices are operational
• No data is lost
• Basic Windows 7 functions are working properly

Customers are free to use Windows Vista® drivers from the Dell Support Web site and are encouraged to run Windows Update from their Start menu to ensure the most recent drivers are installed on their computers.

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4.  What versions of Windows 7 will Dell offer as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version?

Dell will offer Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate to businesses and organizations. Microsoft will provide availability of Windows 7 Enterprise directly to customers that purchase Software Assurance. Microsoft indicates that OEM manufacturers will not sell this edition as a standard offering.

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5.  Which version of Internet Explorer comes with Windows 7?

Windows 7 comes standard with Internet Explorer 8.

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6.  What are the differences between Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise?

Windows 7 Ultimate can be provided through PC OEMs. Windows 7 Enterprise can only be purchased directly from Microsoft, and it requires the purchase of a Software Assurance agreement in addition to a Microsoft software license.

Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise both provide support for simultaneous installation of multiple user-interface languages; subsystem for UNIX-based applications; and support for BitLocker™ and Virtual PC Express, a feature that is not available in other Windows 7 stock keeping units (SKUs) (except for Windows 7 Professional ).

Only Windows 7 Enterprise grants the right to run up to four copies of Windows (any version) in virtual machines, a feature that is also not included in Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 7 Professional SKUs. Windows 7 Ultimate also provides support for consumer media-center functions, a feature that is not found in the Windows 7 Enterprise SKU.

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7.  Are there any features of Windows 7 that are important for educational users?

Many of the enhancements in productivity, security, simplified operations, and mobility and connectivity found in Windows 7 can benefit both public and business segments alike. The multimedia features supported in Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise, as well as the domain-joining features in Windows 7 Professional, can be particularly beneficial to educational users.

Windows 7 will also offer a lower-cost Starter edition specifically for netbooks, which many schools are using to extend technology access to more students. The new Starter Edition will enable schools to stretch their budgets even further.

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8.  For licensing customers, is it possible to have Windows 7 Enterprise pre-loaded on Dell systems?

Dell Custom Factory Integration (CFI) can factory install Windows 7 Volume Licensing Agreement (VLA) images on Dell Client systems for those customers who have received their VLA media from Microsoft.

Customers with a signed Microsoft VLA agreement can send their customer-created Windows 7 image to CFI to install the Windows 7 image on a new Dell system. Customers will be required to provide CFI with their VLA PID/Product Key or VLA Windows 7 media.

CFI is an option available for OptiPlex, Latitude and Dell Precision systems with a minimum of 25 units purchased per quarter. (CFI is not available on all systems.)

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9.  Are the security features in Windows 7 robust enough that organizations can dispense with desktop virus-protection software?

Although Windows 7 has a number of robust security features like enhanced firewall, spyware defense, Network Access Protection and Encrypting File System, the operating system does not replace traditional desktop security software from vendors such as Symantec and McAfee.

Dell recommends that you continue to utilize a third-party security solution in addition to the Windows 7 operating system to help ensure that your systems are well protected.

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10.  I don’t want my LAN users to be able to encrypt their files. Does Windows 7 allow me to manage this function?

Yes. Encrypted File System can be controlled in the domain through group policy objects.

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Dell plans to factory install Windows XP on OptiPlex™, Latitude™ and Dell Precision™ systems until December 31, 2010 for Volume Licensing customers. No backup media for Windows XP will be provided after May 1, 2010.

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Dell offers a variety of Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, including Open Business, Open Value, Select, Campus, School and Enterprise Agreements. For more information, visit the Dell Volume Software Licensing Center.

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13.  Will my organization have to go through Microsoft to obtain a VLA, or will we be able to purchase this through Dell?

Dell offers a variety of Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, including Open Business, Open Value, Select and Enterprise Agreements. For more information, visit the Dell Volume Software Licensing Center.

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14.  What are the differences between MAK and KMS volume licensing?

Beginning with Windows 7, two types of Volume License Keys (VLKs) will be made available: Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and Key Management Service (KMS).

MAK keys activate either individual computers or a group of computers by connecting directly to Microsoft servers. This connection takes place either over the Internet or via telephone. The keys can be used a limited number of times. This activation limit can be increased by calling your Microsoft Activation Center.

KMS is a service that your organization can host internally to automatically activate computers running Windows 7. To use KMS, you must have a minimum of 25 networked computers running Windows 7. Computers that have been activated through KMS will be required to reactivate by connecting to your organization's network at least every six months.

For more information, visit the Microsoft Volume Licensing Web site.

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15.  Will Microsoft Office 2007 work with Windows 7?

According to Microsoft, Microsoft Office 2007 will work on Windows 7.

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16.  When will Windows 7 SP1 be released?

Microsoft has not publicly given a release date for Windows 7 SP1.

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