Upgrading to the new Windows 7 operating system can make your PC faster and easier to use. Many users fear that the upgrade process itself will be stressful and difficult – but fear not! Following these five simple steps will help you have a smooth and stress-free transition.

1. Check to ensure you meet system requirements
Before you upgrade to Windows 7, your PC will need to have:

* 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 For an easy way to ensure you’ve got what it takes, move on to Step 2.

2. Download and run the Upgrade Advisor
Generally speaking, if you’re currently running the Windows Vista operating system, you’ll be able to run Windows 7. But if you’re not using Vista or just aren’t sure if your system is ready for Windows 7, there is an easy way to check.

Once downloaded and installed, the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will run a diagnostic test to see if your PC can run Windows 7 and if there are any known compatibility issues. It can also give you insight into other potential issues, like whether you’ll need to upgrade certain drivers or applications.

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