Ed Bott posted an article on the OEM version of Windows 7

"I’m talking about OEM System Builder licenses for Windows desktop editions. If you look at any online shopping site that caters to PC enthusiasts, you’ll find these copies displayed alongside the upgrade and full license packages that Microsoft says retail customers are supposed to buy. My friend and fellow Windows expert Paul Thurrott just posted a thorough look at the Windows 7 OEM System Builder package, complete with pictures. If you’re building your own PC or looking for installation media that won’t make you jump through hoops to install it, this product is extremely attractive, because it’s significantly less expensive than a full retail license. The installation media works almost exactly like a full retail copy of Windows, except that it can’t be used to perform upgrades, only a custom (clean) install. After installation, an OEM copy is essentially indistinguishable from a retail copy."

>> Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft

Benchmark Reviews published an Windows 7 Upgrade and Installation Guide

"Many gamers swear by the proven stability that is Windows XP, but there's a new player on the market: Windows 7. While Windows XP is heralded by some as the best OS to ever come from Microsoft, Vista is the Windows ME of the 21st Century. Enter Windows 7. Built on the proven NT platform and in many ways appearing much like Vista, that's where the similarities end. Today, Benchmark Reviews will take a look at some of the different methods of installation, and hopefully clear up some of the confusion many of you may be having. I think some people will be surprised by how easy it can be, plus we will show you how to possibly bypass having to reinstall Windows XP or Vista during an upgrade."

>> Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade and Installation Guide

Ed Bott posted seven perfectly legal ways to get Windows 7 cheap

"Only suckers pay retail.

If you’ve read any reviews of Windows 7, you’ve seen references to its price list, which ranges from $120 for a Home Premium upgrade to $320 for a fully licensed copy of Windows 7 Ultimate.

Well, guess what? You don’t have to pay that much. Most people have much better options available, if you know where to look. As I’ve detailed here, the best deals go to PC manufacturers, which you benefit from if you buy a new PC.

But there are plenty of other discounts available as well. In this post, I’ve researched deals in three separate categories: upgrade offers available to anyone, special deals just for students, and subscriptions intended for technical professionals and developers."

>> Seven perfectly legal ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free)

Paul Thurrott posted a guide about upgrading 32-bit Windows Vista/XP to 64-bit Windows 7

"While there were once valid reasons for skipping 64-bit versions of Windows, those reasons have disappeared over the past year or so. As a result, it should come as no surprise that many Windows users are now interested in upgrading their 32-bit version of Windows XP or Vista to a 64-bit version of Windows 7. And because all retail versions of Windows 7 Upgrade come with both 32-bit and 64-bit Setup discs, it would seem that doing so is both supported and straightforward.

Well, it's neither: Microsoft does not support a traditional, in-place upgrade of any 32-bit version of Windows to any 64-bit version of Windows. (Well, I guess that statement is technically straightforward. So maybe they're 1 for 2.)"

>> Upgrade from 32-bit Windows Vista/XP to 64-bit Windows 7

Paul Thurrott posted a guide about upgrading from a Higher-End Vista/XP Version to a Lower-End Windows 7 Version

"Here's the deal. You're running some version of Windows Vista. But you want to upgrade to a lower-end version of Windows 7. For example, perhaps you have Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, and you want to "upgrade" to Windows 7 Home Premium.

Should be easy, right?

Should be, but isn't. Here's how it works. Anyone using a valid, activated version of Windows Vista (or XP) qualifies for any Windows 7 Upgrade version. But in order to perform a "true" (or "in-place") upgrade, you must be upgrading to an equivalent, or higher-end, Windows 7 version. That process is very straightforward, and you can read about it my previous article, Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7."

>> Upgrade from a Higher-End Vista/XP Version to a Lower-End Windows 7 Version

Paul Thurrott posted a guide about doing a clear Windows 7 install with upgrade media

"It was the final unanswered question about Windows 7. But now, thanks to numerous reader reports and my own hands-on experience, I'm can now report that Microsoft is still making it difficult to clean install Windows 7 with Upgrade media. But fear not, there is some good news. While you can't simply use Upgrade media to do a clean install of Windows 7 on an unused PC with a blank hard drive, the workaround this time is easier than ever. Assuming you know the trick.

Remember how this used to work? In older versions of Windows, Microsoft would actually prompt you to insert an install floppy or CD from a previous Windows version, to prove that you qualified for the upgrade version. But beginning with Windows XP, PC makers were able to dramatically change the Windows install disc, so much so that, in some cases, those discs weren't even identifiable as valid install media to Windows Setup. Clearly a different system was required."

>> Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media

HotHardware takes a look at top Windows 7 features that Vista should have had

"This week may be as big a week in the company's history as Microsoft has ever had. We know, that's a pretty bold statement, but there is a lot of evidence to back that up. Microsoft has been drowning in negative press and negative vibes for most of Vista's life; it has tried for years to spit-shine the image of its "Wow!-inducing" operating system, and by and large, it has failed.

Join us to see the ten greatest features of Windows 7 that should've been in Vista, and learn how those ten features will make your life that much better if you're currently pondering the upgrade. "

>> Top Windows 7 Features That Vista Should Have Had

TechReviewSource.com takes a look at Windows 7

"The culmination of our Windows 7 coverage is upon us, today is the day Windows 7 is publicly available in retail stores and pre-installed on new computers. Microsoft is hoping Windows 7 will wash away all the prejudices consumers now have of the Windows operating system because of the Vista debacle. We've been lucky enough to have been playing with various builds of Windows 7 along its development since January 2009 and we really like what we've seen."

>> Windows 7: The Final Verdict

TechReviewSource.com takes a look at Netflix Instant Streaming in Windows 7

"Netflix Instant Streaming has finally been added to Windows 7's Windows Media Center program, which allows Netflix subscribers to instantly
stream movies that are available for streaming right to their Windows 7 PC in a matter of seconds. Each Netflix member subscriber receives unlimited hours of instant streaming each month, which is a huge plus if you have your PC connected to a TV or if you are looking to watch a new movie without having to wait for it to come in the mail from Netflix. It's easy to use and the interface is quite intuitive and it works great."

>> Windows 7 Feature Focus: Netflix Instant Streaming

TechSpot posted Dual Boot Windows 7 with XP/Vista in three easy steps

"Windows 7 has proved to be quite the drastic improvement over Vista, enough that it even has XP stragglers crawling out of the woodwork to check it out. Your chance to test drive the release candidate is now running thin, in fact, if you haven't tried the new OS until now you are better off postponing your plans for a week and installing the real thing. The final version of Windows 7 has already been sent to partners and is scheduled to debut publicly later this week on October 22.

Even if have pre-ordered Microsoft's latest OS, installing it on top of your existing copy of Windows may feel a bit premature if you haven't been running the beta or RC as your main installation. Thankfully, setting up a dual boot configuration is both easy and practical. If you're looking for a quick and dirty, yet thorough how-to on getting Windows 7 to run alongside your installation of XP or Vista, read on."

>> Dual Boot Windows 7 with XP/Vista in three easy steps (Updated)

TechReviewSource.com takes a look at the Windows 7 Security Features

"Unfortunately, the Windows operating system that we've grown to know and love (or hate) is not the most secure operating system by any means, but Windows 7 promises to change that. TechReviewSource.com agrees too: Windows 7 is the most secure operating system Microsoft has ever made. This expose of the many security features in Windows 7 include the new Action Center, improved UAC, and more."

>> Windows 7: Security Features

Paul Thurrott posted part 12 of his Windows 7 review

"When I began writing this review two and a half months ago, I knew that I was in it for the long haul. My most obvious goal was to complete the review in time for the Windows 7 launch, which I've done, but I also had a secondary, perhaps more important motive in mind: I was hoping to rediscover something that had become very familiar by stepping through it again bit-by-bit so I could determine where this release fared in the scheme of both previous Windows releases and the competition.

Put simply, Windows 7 is greater than the sum of its parts. And while no software is perfect, Windows 7 is the right product at the right time. It is an astonishing accomplishment, even more so when you compare it to its direct predecessor, Windows Vista, which was (and still is) a fine product, sure. But Vista was also the wrong product at the wrong time, a victim both of Microsoft's mistakes and a lack of acceptance in the marketplace."

>> Windows 7 Review Part 12: Wrapping Up

CodenameWindows reports that Microsoft Mentions Windows 7 SP1 and Vista SP3

"This fell in my lap over the weekend, but I didn’t have time to cover it last week: An update is available that allows for a potential power saving in an AMD multicore processor that is running an x64-based version of Windows Vista SP2, of Windows Server 2008 SP2, of Windows 7, or of Windows Server 2008 R2.

The update in itself is worth a download and an install, to make post-Vista 64-bit platforms play nice with Enhanced C1 state (C1E) for lower power consumption for an AMD multicore processor. But what is interesting is that under Hotfix Support for Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2 it says SP1 (Service Pack 1) and SP3 for Vista."

>> Microsoft Mentions Windows 7 SP1 and Vista SP3

TechReviewSource.com take a look at the biggest change to Windows Explorer: Libraries.

"In preparation to get you ready for the release of Windows 7, TechReviewSource.com thought it would be a good idea to take a look at perhaps the biggest change to Windows Explorer: Libraries. You'll run into Libraries each time you open a Windows Explorer window and they come pre-configured on each new installation of Windows 7, but what are they for and how do you use them? Their concept may seem a little confusing at first, but they are actually very handy if you know how to use them."

>> Windows 7: How to Use Libraries

Ed Bott has test-drive the final version of Windows 7 on 10 systems

"You want to know why Windows 7 isn’t going to be another Vista? Here’s one big reason: drivers. This time, hardware makers seem to be keeping pace with the operating system and the hardware."

>> The single biggest reason why Windows 7 won't be another Vista

Paul Thurrott posted part 11 of his Windows 7 review

"All of the new features and functionality in Windows 7 are pointless if the system doesn't work with the hardware devices and software applications you already own. Likewise, if the PC crashes or experiences other unreliable behavior, good vibes about new features and user experiences will quickly dissipate. In keeping with its tactics on past Windows versions, Microsoft has imbued Windows 7 with a host of compatibility and reliability functionality. Most of this stuff works in the background and rarely needs to be manually accessed by the user. But it's nice to know that it's there, and if you ever do need it, chances are that Windows 7 can come to the rescue and right the wrongs."

>> Windows 7 Review Part 11: Compatibility and Reliability

ZDNet reports that Iolo Technlogies said its lab unit found that a new machine running Windows 7 takes one minute and 34 seconds to become usable, as compared to one minute and six seconds for Windows Vista.

"Although Windows 7 has been praised for loading and shutting down faster than prior versions, according to one software company, in many cases the new operating system can take longer to get started than Windows Vista."

>> Study: Windows 7 can boot more slowly than Vista

Paul Thurrott posted part 10 of his Windows 7 review

"When it comes to the quality and volume of bundled applications in Windows 7, Microsoft's latest operating system is in an interesting position. On the one hand, several previously bundled applications are no longer provided with Windows 7, though many are available for free as separate downloads. (Others, however, are simply gone for good, as we'll discuss below.) On the flipside, the exodus of often superfluous utilities from Windows 7 can be seen as a good thing: The OS is smaller and more lightweight thanks to the absence of what was, in Windows Vista especially, an eclectic, confusing, and overly-voluminous collection of applications and other utilities. How you view the situation in Windows 7, then, will depend largely on your perspective.

As far as I'm concerned, Microsoft has mostly done the right thing. Many of the bundled applications in Windows Vista (Meeting Space? What?) were just weird and went largely unused. And for the truly high-value applications that were spun out of Windows and provided instead with the Windows Live Essentials suite, there's an argument to be made that the unbundling will lead to more frequent updates. We'll see if that happens."

>> Windows 7 Review Part 10: Bundled Applications

Paul Thurrott posted part 9 of his Windows 7 review

"Let me ruin the surprise right up front by simply stating the obvious: Windows 7 is the best OS, ever, for portable computers. And I'm not just talking traditional notebooks here. I mean low-end netbooks. Tablet PCs. Touch-based tablets (and, go figure, touch-based notebooks and desktop PCs too). Ultra-Mobile PCs. Whatever. If it's even remotely identifiable as a personal computer and it can run off of battery power, you won't find a better OS than Windows 7.

Sure, Windows XP is small and lightweight, relatively speaking, but the power management is outdated and the mobile-aware functionality is wanting. And yes, Windows Vista came with improved mobile technology and better power management, but let's face it: The sudden rise of low-end netbooks caught Microsoft by surprise and Vista wasn't ready to answer that challenge. Vista's great, but it required a real computer."

>> Windows 7 Review Part 9: Mobility and Touch

TechReviewSource.com posted an upgrade guide to Windows 7

"With Windows 7's release date coming quickly, it's important to understand how to update your existing computer to Windows 7, if that's what you elect to do. In performing an update from either XP or Vista, make sure you know the process in order to prevent data loss or any other critical errors. You must also make sure your computer is compatible with Windows 7 and our quick guide to upgrading will show you the way."

>> Windows 7: How to Upgrade