Windows Vista was just a bad blip on Microsoft’s radar. Windows 7 has gathered momentum and has been regarded as the best Microsoft upgrade to date. People have been switching over to Microsoft’s latest OS in hordes. If you still haven’t switched over (like me), now it’s high time because you just might get to enjoy it for a while till Windows 8 makes us want that even more.
Windows 7 pulled out all stops to make the upgrade experience hassle-free. One of its smartest and more customer friendly moves was to setup the Windows 7 Compatibility Center. The online service has done a lot to chase away fears over driver and software conflicts as you jump ship from one OS to its upgrade. Remember, Vista also had its own.
The online center lists thousands of the most popular devices and software programs (for both 32-Bit and 64-Bit computers) to help you easily identify what will or won’t work with the Windows 7 operating system. The first thing you should do when you land on the homepage is to head to the Frequently Asked Questions page which explains the whole process in a very clear way.
Start off by downloading the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor that checks your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs. The 8 MB tool runs a scan and tells if your computer is ready for Windows 7 and what to do before you upgrade.
Device drivers, software programs, updates, and downloads are neatly arranged under Software and Hardware tabs. There are four ways to search for a compatible product –
Browse the Categories
Categories are well laid out with icons and labels. You simply have to drill down the categories and sub-categories for your software and hardware search.
Using Filters
As you enter a category page, the Windows Compatibility Center makes available a few filters to fine-tune your search. For example, you can use the Results filter to display results by category, common brands / publishers, and compatibility.
You can select your system type – 32-bit or 64-bit, and finally use the Sort filter to arrange your results.
Search from Top
Use the search bar to enter a product name – after selecting hardware or software from the dropdown. You can also click on Advanced Search to use parameters like language, 32-Bit/64-Bit, or compatibility.
Search results are also displayed under software and hardware tabs. You can use filters to sort through the results.
After you narrow down to the product, the Compatibility Center gives you the link that takes you to the developer’s page for the download and install.
The Windows 7 Compatibility Center is a time-saving and hassle free aid because it removes the reliance on third-party tools. After all, Windows knows what’s best for it…and for us. Have you used the Windows 7 Compatibility Center? Were you aware of it before this article?
Last updated on 02 February, 2022
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
Read Next
Compatibility Mode: Run Old Versions Of Software in Windows 7
Most programs are designed for a specific operating system.
4 Top Ways to Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Are you facing a problem opening your apps on Windows 10 or Windows 11?
How to Check or Test the Hardware of a Used Mac
For many people who want to own a Mac (be it first time owners or even those who already own one), one of the best options is to go for
Top 3 Ways to Run Old Programs in Compatibility Mode on Windows 11
Windows 11, like previous versions, includes a compatibility mode that lets you run old programs and games designed for an earlier version of Windows.
3 Cool Hardware Monitoring Tools for Windows PC
A hardware monitoring program can be a very effective tool, especially if you’re suspecting that something’s gone wrong hardware-wise, but can’t quite put your finger on the problem itself.
How to View Hardware Information and Usage in Windows 10
There are many desktop gadgets for Windows available on the Internet.
7 Ways to Solve Safely Remove Hardware Icon Missing in Windows 10
Windows often advices to use the Safely Remove Hardware option before unplugging any USB device from a PC.
How to Use Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling on Windows 11
Microsoft Windows is the go-to choice for gamers since it packs broad hardware support and gets new gaming-related features often.
DID YOU KNOW
The number of Internet devices reached 1 billion in 2008.
