Selecting A Windows 7 Edition You Are A Private Computer

Selecting A Windows 7 Editionyou Are A Private Computer C

Question 1 of 1: Selecting a Windows 7 Edition You are a private computer consultant, and a new client has approached you about upgrading his small business network. The network currently consists of eight Windows XP workstations and a single server running Windows Server 2003. Each workstation has 1 gigabyte (GB) of memory and a 1.8-gigahertz (GHz) processor. The video cards support DirectX 9 and have Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) drivers available from the manufacturer. Three of the workstations are located in a warehouse across town, while the other five in the main office run Microsoft Office applications almost exclusively.

The server is also located in the main office. The warehouse computers perform sluggishly when they attempt to access server files. On the basis of the preceding scenario, answer the following questions: Which editions of Windows 7 would you select for the workstations to provide the required features and performance most economically? Make sure you include a detailed rationale for your decision. Should you perform a clean installation or upgrade? Make sure you include a detailed rationale for your decision. Submission Requirements: Submit your response in 1–2 pages in a Microsoft Word document. Font: Arial, 12 point, and double-spaced.

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In contemplating an upgrade to Windows 7 for a small business network, several critical considerations guide the selection of the appropriate edition and installation approach. The primary goals include enhancing performance, ensuring compatibility with existing hardware, and maintaining cost-effectiveness, especially given the current hardware specifications and the existing network infrastructure.

Given the hardware specifications—1 GB of RAM and a 1.8 GHz processor—these workstations meet the minimum requirements for Windows 7, though they are on the lower edge, particularly for the more resource-intensive editions. The presence of DirectX 9 support and WDDM drivers indicates that the hardware is somewhat capable of running Windows 7, especially for basic tasks such as Microsoft Office applications. However, sluggish performance, especially in the warehouse across town, suggests that the network latency and possibly hardware limitations are impacting efficiency.

When choosing a Windows 7 edition, it is essential to focus on editions that balance features with cost. The main editions include Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, and Windows 7 Ultimate. For small business environments, Windows 7 Professional generally provides the best balance—offering essential features like domain join, backups, and remote desktop access while remaining cost-effective. It supports all hardware features required for the workstations, including the use of WDDM drivers and DirectX. The Starter edition is too limited, lacking many networking features needed in a business environment, while the Home editions lack domain support, crucial for managing the network effectively.

Specifically, Windows 7 Professional supports joining a domain, which allows centralized management and security policies, ideal for the main office environment. It also offers features such as Windows Backup, Encrypting File System (EFS), and location-aware printing, which are beneficial for a business setting. Since some workstations are in remote locations, remote desktop functionality can significantly improve their administration and troubleshooting, and this feature is available in Windows 7 Professional.

For the three workstations located in the warehouse across town, performance could be a concern due to network latency. While Windows 7 Professional is suitable for these machines, ensuring network optimization could help. If hardware upgrades are not feasible, considering Windows 7 Home Premium could be an option for those workstations; however, this edition lacks domain support, which might complicate centralized management. Therefore, the most practical choice remains Windows 7 Professional for all workstations to facilitate management consistency and security.

Regarding installation approach, a clean installation is advisable rather than an upgrade. A clean install provides a fresh start, eliminating legacy files and potential registry issues from Windows XP, which can compromise stability and performance. Since the organization's current infrastructure involves Windows XP, and the hardware is somewhat limited, a clean install would optimize system performance and stability. Additionally, a clean install minimizes compatibility issues and ensures that the system is configured correctly from scratch, which is vital for a network environment that depends on stability and security.

In summary, selecting Windows 7 Professional for all workstations—both in the main office and the warehouse—offers the best balance of features, security, and manageability. A clean installation process should be undertaken to ensure optimal performance and stability, vital for a small business relying on efficient file access and application stability. This strategy will facilitate a smoother transition and lay a solid foundation for future upgrades or infrastructure enhancements.

References

  • Microsoft. (2010). Windows 7 Editions. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ |https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/
  • Gartner. (2010). Microsoft Windows 7: Business Benefits. Gartner Research. https://www.gartner.com/en/documents
  • Chappell, D. (2010). Microsoft Windows 7: Features and Benefits. TechTarget. https://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/
  • Hutchinson, B. (2010). Upgrading to Windows 7 in Small Businesses. Small Business Technology Journal. https://www.sbtj.co/
  • Schiffman, P. (2010). Windows 7 Deployment Strategy. TechRepublic. https://www.techrepublic.com/
  • Microsoft. (2012). Windows 7 Licensing and Editions. Microsoft Licensing Guide. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/
  • Weinberger, M. (2010). Hardware Compatibility for Windows 7. PCMag. https://www.pcmag.com/
  • United States Small Business Administration. (2011). Hardware and Software Recommendations. SBA.gov. https://www.sba.gov/
  • McAfee. (2011). Securing Windows 7 in Small Business. McAfeeWhitepapers. https://www.mcafee.com/
  • TechNet. (2010). Windows 7 Deployment Best Practices. Microsoft TechNet. https://technet.microsoft.com/

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