I am Microsoftie 4 ever (18+ years) working in Windows Services and Content team in the UK, my blog is mainly focused on the Windows family of products and trying to provide help pointers and resources for customers on our products.
Just a reminder that if you have forgotten for UK customers the Windows 7 pre order program starts tomorrow 15th July, in fact we plan to have the site available shortly after midnight tonight (fingers crossed) so you can place your orders as early as possible.
You will be able to order Windows 7 in time to to get it for the October 22nd release at a special price of Windows 7 Home Premium E for £49.99** or Windows 7 Professional E for £99.99*
Read more about the offer at Microsoft Windows: Windows 7 Pre-Order Offer
* Estimated retail price, only available until August 9th 2009 or until stock runs out
Rob
This useful download outlines the support and unsupported upgrade paths for the various editions of Windows 7.
Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Paths
I have copied the relevant sections from the document below
From Windows Vista (SP1, SP2)
Upgrade to Windows 7
Business
Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate
Enterprise
Home Basic
Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate
Home Premium
Home Premium, Ultimate
Ultimate
From Windows 7
Professional
Starter (x86 only)
Starter (x86)
Anytime Upgrade to Windows 7
Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate
Professional, Ultimate
Starter
Unsupported Upgrade Scenarios · Upgrades to Windows 7 from the following operating systems are not supported: · Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows XP, Windows Vista® RTM, Windows Vista Starter, Windows 7 M3, Windows 7 Beta, Windows 7 RC, or Windows 7 IDS · Windows NT® Server 4.0, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server® 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2 · Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported. · Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported. · Cross-SKU upgrades (for example, Windows 7 N to Windows 7 K) are not supported. · Upgrades from Windows Vista to Windows N, Windows K, Windows KN, or Windows E are not supported. · Cross-build type in-place upgrades (for example, fre to chk) are not supported. · Pre-release in-place upgrades across milestones (for example, Windows 7 RC to Windows 7 RTM) are not supported.
· Upgrades to Windows 7 from the following operating systems are not supported:
· Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows XP, Windows Vista® RTM, Windows Vista Starter, Windows 7 M3, Windows 7 Beta, Windows 7 RC, or Windows 7 IDS
· Windows NT® Server 4.0, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server® 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2
· Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported.
· Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported.
· Cross-SKU upgrades (for example, Windows 7 N to Windows 7 K) are not supported.
· Upgrades from Windows Vista to Windows N, Windows K, Windows KN, or Windows E are not supported.
· Cross-build type in-place upgrades (for example, fre to chk) are not supported.
· Pre-release in-place upgrades across milestones (for example, Windows 7 RC to Windows 7 RTM) are not supported.
Thanks again to Blake for the tip
If you like your Windows Vista in Sinhala (Sri Lanka), then you can download the latest Windows Vista Language Interface Pack (LIP) now:
Click here to download the Sinhala Vista LIP
Or Click here to view the Sinhala Download page for more Sinhala downloads
Updated 07/07/2009 with working URLs
To be honest I thought maybe the laptop hunters series had run its course but there is a new ad available, this time with Matt and Olivia who are looking for a laptop for under $700 with a large screen, long battery life and ability to share pictures.
for all the other laptop hunters
Just wanted to point out this really cool new site from Microsoft, still in beta
“Learning Snacks are short, interactive learning presentations about Microsoft technologies and include various media, such as animations and recorded demos. Are you an expert? Be part of this growing and vibrant community - create your own Learning Snack and share it with the world here! “
There is plenty of Windows content on there such as Windows 7 and Windows Vista and you can submit your own content and share it with everyone.
Its currently in beta but well worth checking out at Microsoft Learning Snack Box - create and share your e-learning snacks with the community
So last week we started the special offer for pre ordering Windows 7
and it has been selling like hot cakes however as off about 10:30 am today there are still a few places you can get it including:
Click on the logos to learn how to get your copy or read more about the pre-order for the UK at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/pre-order.aspx
Updated 12:05 to add Micro Anvika in
Well worth the 4 minutes 45 seconds to watch this funny video celebrating the 10th anniversary of Windows Live Messenger
There is more about the 10th anniversary over on the Inside Windows Live Messenger blog has more.
Thanks to Kip on Liveside for the tip (via twitter of course)
Want some free downloads for Windows 7 then @imhassan at I think different has started a list of free downloads you can get. Also check out the comments as people are adding more and more free downloads.
Free Windows 7 Downloads | ithinkdifferent
This is such a super cool site and use of social networking sites/technology
Not only is the site wonderfully put together but its use of things like Twitter for you to follow in real time is fantastic. You can follow 3 twitter streams for Apollo 11 including @app11_capcom , @app11_spacecraft and @app11_eagle
Apollo 11 was before I was born (just) yet the whole event and lunar missions are something that still makes you tingle and what was achieved technically and the risks taken by all those involved.
There is also a rather cool desktop mission tracker widget where you can track the missions countdown and status after launch
Thanks to @ianxx for the tip
Thanks to @Technogranma for this spot of a nice article on Windows 7 tips and tricks, it covers a wide range of areas and is well worth a quick review if you are looking for handy hints for Windows 7
Sublime Maxxus: 70 Windows 7 Tips & Tricks