College of Forestry

Forestry Computing Helpdesk

Windows 7 Support

 

General Information

Windows 7 is the standard supported operating system (effective July 1, 2010). New computers will have Windows 7 installed as the operating system. Additionally, if older computers require a reinstallation of Windows and they are capable of running Windows 7, then they will be upgraded to the new OS.

Windows XP SP3 systems may continue to operate on the CoF network only until April 2014. That is the date that Microsoft ends support for Windows XP SP3.

 

Windows 7 Tips and Videos

 

System Requirements

System requirements for running Windows 7:

  • RAM: 4 GB or more (recommended); 2 GB (minimum)
    Note: In order to use more than 4 GB of RAM, the computer must run Windows 7 64-bit instead
    of Windows 7 32-bit. Some software is not compatible with a 64-bit operating system, so please check the
    Windows 7 Software Compatibility List
    .
  • Desktop systems will be individually evaluated. As a general rule, if they were purchased after July 1, 2005 then they are capable of running Windows 7. This roughly equates to a desktop with a CPU that has at least a Pentium 4 3.2 GHz CPU or any dual-core CPU (i.e.- Dell Optiplex GX280 and later).
  • Laptops will be individually evaluated. As a general rule, if they were purchased after July 1, 2006 AND they have a dual-core CPU, then they are capable of running Windows 7 (i.e.- Dell Latitude D620 and later).

 

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