License

Windows 7 system requirements

If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:

 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

Additional requirements to use certain features:

 Internet access (fees may apply)

 Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics
hardware

 Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible withDirectX 10 or higher for
optimal performance

 For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be

required

 Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware

 HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7

 DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive

 BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2

 BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive

 Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM and an additional 15 GB of available hard

disk space.

 Music and sound require audio output

Page 1 of 17
 Key features

Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some
features may require advanced or additional hardware.

PCs with multi-core processors:

Windows 7 was designed to work with today's multi-core processors. All 32-bit versions
of Windows 7 can support up to 32 processor cores, while 64-bit versions can support
up to 256 processor cores.

PCs with multiple processors (CPUs):

Commercial servers, workstations, and other high-end PCs may have more than one
physical processor. Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate allow for two
physical processors, providing the best performance on these
computers. Windows 7Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium will recognize only one
physical processor.

Jump Lists Snap

HomeGroup Speedy access to your A quick (and fun!) new way to
Takes the headache out of favorite pictures, songs, resize and compare windows
sharing files and printers on a websites, and documents. on your desktop.
home network.

Windows Live Essentials
A suite of great programs in
one free download. Mail,
Movie Maker, Photo Gallery,
Windows Search Windows Taskbar
Find virtually anything on Better thumbnail previews,
your PC, instantly. easier-to-see icons, and more
ways to customize.

Page 2 of 17
and more.

More personal Performance improvements

Full 64-bit support Redecorate your desktop Designed to sleep and resume
Windows 7 makes the most of with fun new themes, slide quicker, be less memory
powerful 64-bit PCs, the new shows, or handy gadgets. hungry, and spot USB devices
desktop standard. faster.
Windows 7 makes new things possible

Play To Remote Media Streaming Windows Touch

Play your media on other PCs, Enjoy music and video on Pair Windows 7 with a
stereos, or TVs around the your home PC—even when touchscreen and you won't
house. you're notat home. always need a keyboard or
mouse.

Page 3 of 17
 Other capabilities
Browse A to Z Networking Windows Experience
Index
64-bit support Paint
Windows Fax and Scan
Accessibility Parental Controls
Windows Firewall
Action Center Peek
Windows Live Essentials
Aero Performance
improvements Windows Live Movie
Audio and video Maker
Play To
Backup and Restore Windows Live Photo
Power management Gallery
BitLocker
ReadyBoost Windows Media Center
Calculator
Remote Desktop Windows Media Player 12
Desktop Connection
Windows Mobility Center
Device management Remote Media Streaming
Windows Search
DirectX 11 Shake
Windows Taskbar
Email Snap
Windows Touch
Gadgets Snipping Tool
Windows Troubleshooting
Games Explorer Startup Repair
Windows Update
Getting Started Sticky Notes
Windows XP Mode
HomeGroup System Restore
WordPad
Internet Explorer Tablet PC
XPS
Internet TV User Account Control
Browse categories
Jump Lists Windows Anytime
Upgrade Communications
Language packs
Windows Connect Now Email
Libraries
Windows Defender HomeGroup
Location-aware printing Internet Explorer
Windows Easy Transfer
Multiplayer games Networking
Windows Connect Now

Page 4 of 17
Entertainment Aero User Account Control
DirectX 11 Calculator Windows Defender
Gadgets Desktop Windows Firewall
Games Explorer Device management
Internet TV Getting Started
Multiplayer games Jump Lists
Play To Language packs
Remote Media Streaming Libraries
Windows Live Movie Location-aware printing
Maker
Paint
Windows Live Photo
Peek
Gallery
Remote Desktop
Windows Media Center
Connection
Windows Media Player 12
Shake
Performance
Snap
64-bit support
Snipping Tool
Action Center
Sticky Notes
Audio and video
Tablet PC
Performance
Windows Fax and Scan
improvements
Windows Live Essentials
Power management
Windows Mobility Center
ReadyBoost
Windows Search
Startup Repair
Windows Taskbar
System Restore
Windows Touch
Windows Anytime
Upgrade Windows XP Mode
Windows Easy Transfer WordPad
Windows Experience XPS
Index
Safety & Security
Windows Troubleshooting
Backup and Restore
Windows Update
BitLocker
Productivity
Parental Controls
Accessibility

Page 5 of 17
Page 6 of 17
 Commands in Windows 7

The command prompt that has been in previous versions of Windows is still with us and
is not much changed fron Windows Vista. The command line remains a powerful and
much used feature by system administrators everywhere. Thus, the old command
interpreter cmd.exe has been continued although in a slightly newer version. Several
commands are now in the standard list that were formerly available only on servers.
New commandsare indicated with an asterisk in the list below. Note that some
commands may require administrator privileges. A number of commands involving
specialized system or network administration have been omitted.

The commands given below remain in wide use but Microsoft has shifted its corporate
emphasis to a new command shell called Powershell that is described on another page.
This new command shell is included with Windows 7.

ASSOC Displays or modifies file extension associations.

ATTRIB Displays or changes file attributes.
BREAK Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.
BCDBOOT* Used to copy critical files to the system partition and to create a new system
BCD store.
BCDEDIT Sets properties in boot database to control boot loading.
CACLS Displays or modifies access control lists (ACLs) of files.
CALL Calls one batch program from another.
CD Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHCP Displays or sets the active code page number.
CHDIR Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHKDSK Checks a disk and displays a status report.
CHKNTFS Displays or modifies the checking of disk at boot time.
CHOICE Batch file command that allows users to select from a set of options. 
CIPHER Displays or alters the encryption of directories [files] on NTFS partitions.
CLIP Redirects output of another command to the Windows clipboard.
CLS Clears the screen.
CMD Starts a new instance of the Windows command interpreter.
CMDKEY Creates, lists and deletes stored user names and passwords or credentials.
COLOR Sets the default console foreground and background colors.
COMP Compares the contents of two files or sets of files byte-by-byte

Page 7 of 17
COMPACT Displays or alters the compression of files on NTFS partitions.
CONVERT Converts FAT volumes to NTFS. You cannot convert the current drive.
COPY Copies one or more files to another location.
DATE Displays or sets the date.
DEFRAG Disk defragmenter accessory. 
DEL Deletes one or more files.
DIR Displays a list of files and subdirectories in a directory.
DISKCOMP Compares the contents of two floppy disks.
DISKCOPY Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another.
DISKPART Displays or configures Disk Partition properties. A separte command
interpreter with a sub-set of commands.
DOSKEY Edits command lines, recalls Windows commands, and creates macros.
DRIVERQUERY Displays current device driver status and properties.
ECHO Displays messages, or turns command echoing on or off.
ENDLOCAL Ends localization of environment changes in a batch file.
ERASE Deletes one or more files.
EXIT Quits and closes the command shell.
EXPAND Expands one or more compressed files.
FC Compares two files or sets of files, and displays the differences between them.
FIND Searches for a text string in a file or files.
FINDSTR Searches for strings in files.
FOR Runs a specified command for each item in a set.
FORFILES Selects files in a folder for batch processing. 
FORMAT Formats a disk for use with Windows.
FSUTIL Displays or configures the file system properties.
FTYPE Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations.
GOTO Directs the Windows command interpreter to a labeled line in a batch program.
GPRESULT Displays Group Policy information for machine or user.
GRAFTABL Enables Windows to display an extended character set in graphics mode.
HELP Provides Help information for Windows commands.
ICACLS Display, modify, backup, or restore ACLs for files and directories (more here).
IF Performs conditional processing in batch programs.
IPCONFIG Displays all current TCP/IP network configuration values 
LABEL Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk.
MD Creates a directory.
MKDIR Creates a directory.
Page 8 of 17
MKLINK Creates Symbolic Links and Hard Links
MODE Configures a system device.
MORE Displays output one screen at a time.
MOVE Moves one or more files from one directory to another directory.
OPENFILES Queries, displays, or disconnects open files or files opened by network users.
PATH Displays or sets a search path for executable files.
PAUSE Suspends processing of a batch file and displays a message.
POPD Restores the previous value of the current directory saved by PUSHD.
PRINT Prints a text file.
PROMPT Changes the Windows command prompt.
PUSHD Saves the current directory then changes it.
RD Removes a directory.
RECOVER Recovers readable information from a bad or defective disk.
REM Designates comments (remarks) in batch files
REN Renames a file or files.
RENAME Renames a file or files.
REPLACE Replaces files.
RMDIR Removes a directory.
ROBOCOPY Advanced utility to copy files and directory trees
SET Displays, sets, or removes environment variables for current session.
SETLOCAL Begins localization of environment changes in a batch file.
SETX Sets environment variables.
SC Displays or configures services (background processes).
SCHTASKS Schedules commands and programs to run on a computer.
SHIFT Shifts the position of replaceable parameters in batch files.
SHUTDOWN Allows proper local or remote shutdown of machine.
SORT Sorts input.
START Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command.
SUBST Associates a path with a drive letter.
SYSTEMINFO Displays machine specific properties and configuration.
TAKEOWN Allows an administrator to take ownership of a file (more here).
TASKLIST Displays all currently running tasks including services.
TASKKILL Kill or stop a running process or application.
TIME Displays or sets the system time.
TIMEOUT Pauses the command processor for the specified number of seconds.More
here.
Page 9 of 17
TITLE Sets the window title for a CMD.EXE session.
TREE Graphically displays the directory structure of a drive or path.
TYPE Displays the contents of a text file.
VER Displays the Windows version.
VERIFY Tells Windows whether to verify that your files are written correctly to a disk.
VOL Displays a disk volume label and serial number.
VSSADMIN Volume Shadow Copy Service administration tool
WHERE Displays the location of files that match a search pattern. 
XCOPY Copies files and directory trees.
WMIC Displays WMI information inside interactive command shell.

Page 10 of 17
 Open source

Ubuntu System requirements

The desktop version of Ubuntu currently supports the x86 32 bit and 64
bit architectures. Unofficial support is available for the PowerPC,[31] IA-64
(Itanium) and PlayStation 3architectures (note however that Sony officially removed
support for OtherOS on the PS3 with firmware 3.21, released on 1 April 2010), as well as
ARM mobile processors (see HTC HD2).[32] A supported GPU is required to
enable desktop visual effects.
Current Minimum Requirements[33][34][35] Server Desktop

Processor (x86) with the i686 instruction set[36] 300 MHz 1 GHz

Memory 128 MB 512 MB

Hard Drive (free space) 1 GB 5 GB

Monitor Resolution 640×480 1024×768

Key featues

Ubuntu 10.10, aka Maverick Meerkat, has been officially released and while we pause
for a moment to think of the poor servers and mirrors getting hammered - as a if a
million Ubuntu users cried out (in tears of joy) before being silenced (to the humdrum of
download waiting) - you might be wondering what's new.

Here's a quick summary:

Speed
Canonical claims a more streamlined boot process (yes, improving on the already
superfast Lucid boot speed) and, of course, a sparky new kernel based on 2.6.35 and
bringing with it improved hardware support.

Page 11 of 17
Style
There's new themes, icons, and default wallpaper as expected, but there's also the
introduction of a new system font collection designed specifically for Ubuntu, called the
The Ubuntu Font Family, that's easy to read and easy on the eyes. It's certainly clean,
and reminiscent of the Ubuntu logo font introduced in 10.04. For the netbook edition, a
new interface design called Unity aims to make using netbooks simpler and more stylish,
too.

Features 
The Software Center gets new sections for Features and What's New (tones of App Store
perhaps?), an improved look that's more pleasant to browse, a new package installation
history which is definitely welcome, and an interesting new trend: the ability to
purchase commercial software. A test package is available, 'Ricks Wallpapers' which
users can buy for $1. Proceeds are re-invested into Ubuntu development.

Applications
There's nothing we love more than the latest version of, well, anything. Meerkat comes
with Gnome 2.32, OpenOffice 3.2.1, Transmission 2.04,  and the latest Firefox 3.6.10
among other updates. The photo-manager F-Spot is gone now, replaced by Shotwell.
Photos can be directly published to Facebook, Flickr and others, and collections made
with F-Spot can be imported.

Cloud
Canonical is pushing cloud computing hard with both the Desktop and Server editions of
Ubuntu. For the desktop the free 2GB online storage on Ubuntu One for all Ubuntu
users has been supplemented by a new, cheaper, pricing structure (upgrade to 20GB for
$US2.99) and the addition of both a Windows client (for cross-OS syncing) and both
iPhone and Android clients, along with a new streaming service to stream music from
your cloud collection to your smartphone.

All up, it sounds like a worthy upgrade. Speaking of which, if you don't want to do a
clean install you can upgrade to 10.10 from within 10.04 itself via the Update Manager -
but as 10.04 is an LTS (Long Term Support) release, you'll first need to tell it you want to:
click System --> Administration --> Software Sources, then under the Updates tab set
'Check for new distribution releases' to 'Normal Releases'.  Click Close and run the
Update Manager and you'll be prompted to upgrade. Backup your home directory and
personal data first, of course, as when doing any operating system install or upgrade for
your machine. 

Page 12 of 17
 Commands in Ubuntu

adduser Add a user to the system expect Automate arbitrary applications accessed over a
addgroup Add a group to the system terminal
alias Create an alias • expand Convert tabs to spaces
apropos Search Help manual pages (man -k) export Set an environment variable
apt-get Search for and install software packages expr Evaluate expressions
(Debian/Ubuntu) f
aptitude Search for and install software packages false Do nothing, unsuccessfully
(Debian/Ubuntu) fdformat Low-level format a floppy disk
aspell Spell Checker fdisk Partition table manipulator for Linux
awk Find and Replace text, database sort/validate/index fg Send job to foreground
b fgrep Search file(s) for lines that match a fixed string
basename Strip directory and suffix from filenames file Determine file type
bash GNU Bourne-Again SHell find Search for files that meet a desired criteria
bc Arbitrary precision calculator language fmt Reformat paragraph text
bg Send to background fold Wrap text to fit a specified width.
break Exit from a loop • for Expand words, and execute commands
builtin Run a shell builtin format Format disks or tapes
bzip2 Compress or decompress named file(s) free Display memory usage
c fsck File system consistency check and repair
cal Display a calendar ftp File Transfer Protocol
case Conditionally perform a command function Define Function Macros
cat Display the contents of a file fuser Identify/kill the process that is accessing a file
cd Change Directory g
cfdisk Partition table manipulator for Linux gawk Find and Replace text within file(s)
chgrp Change group ownership getopts Parse positional parameters
chmod Change access permissions grep Search file(s) for lines that match a given pattern
chown Change file owner and group groups Print group names a user is in
chroot Run a command with a different root directory gzip Compress or decompress named file(s)
chkconfig System services (runlevel) h
cksum Print CRC checksum and byte counts hash Remember the full pathname of a name argument
clear Clear terminal screen head Output the first part of file(s)
cmp Compare two files help Display help for a built-in command •
comm Compare two sorted files line by line history Command History
command Run a command - ignoring shell functions • hostname Print or set system name
continue Resume the next iteration of a loop • i
cp Copy one or more files to another location iconv Convert the character set of a file
cron Daemon to execute scheduled commands id Print user and group id's
crontab Schedule a command to run at a later time if Conditionally perform a command
csplit Split a file into context-determined pieces ifconfig Configure a network interface
cut Divide a file into several parts ifdown Stop a network interface
d ifup Start a network interface up
date Display or change the date & time import Capture an X server screen and save the image to file
dc Desk Calculator install Copy files and set attributes
dd Convert and copy a file, write disk headers, boot records j
ddrescue Data recovery tool jobs List active jobs •
declare Declare variables and give them attributes • join Join lines on a common field
df Display free disk space k
diff Display the differences between two files kill Stop a process from running
diff3 Show differences among three files killall Kill processes by name
dig DNS lookup l
dir Briefly list directory contents less Display output one screen at a time
dircolors Colour setup for `ls' let Perform arithmetic on shell variables •
dirname Convert a full pathname to just a path ln Make links between files
dirs Display list of remembered directories local Create variables •
dmesg Print kernel & driver messages locate Find files
du Estimate file space usage logname Print current login name
e logout Exit a login shell •
echo Display message on screen • look Display lines beginning with a given string
egrep Search file(s) for lines that match an extended lpc Line printer control program
expression lpr Off line print
eject Eject removable media lprint Print a file
enable Enable and disable builtin shell commands • lprintd Abort a print job
env Environment variables lprintq List the print queue
ethtool Ethernet card settings lprm Remove jobs from the print queue
eval Evaluate several commands/arguments ls List information about file(s)
exec Execute a command lsof List open files
exit Exit the shell m

Page 13 of 17
 make Recompile a group of programs
man Help manual
mkdir Create new folder(s)
mkfifo Make FIFOs (named pipes)
mkisofs Create an hybrid ISO9660/JOLIET/HFS filesystem
mknod Make block or character special files
more Display output one screen at a time
mount Mount a file system
mtools Manipulate MS-DOS files
mtr Network diagnostics (traceroute/ping)
mv Move or rename files or directories
mmv Mass Move and rename (files)
n tar Tape ARchiver
netstat Networking information
nice Set the priority of a command or job
nl Number lines and write files
nohup Run a command immune to hangups
notify-send Send desktop notifications
nslookup Query Internet name servers interactively
o traceroute Trace Route to Host
open Open a file in its default application
op Operator access
p true Do nothing, successfully
passwd Modify a user password
paste Merge lines of files
pathchk Check file name portability
ping Test a network connection
pkill Stop processes from running
popd Restore the previous value of the current directory
pr Prepare files for printing
printcap Printer capability database
printenv Print environment variables
printf Format and print data •
ps Process status
pushd Save and then change the current directory
pwd Print Working Directory
q unshar Unpack shell archive scripts
quota Display disk usage and limits
quotacheck Scan a file system for disk usage
quotactl Set disk quotas
r users List users currently logged in
ram ram disk device
rcp Copy files between two machines
read Read a line from standard input •
readarray Read from stdin into an array variable •
readonly Mark variables/functions as readonly
reboot Reboot the system
rename Rename files
renice Alter priority of running processes
remsync Synchronize remote files via email
return Exit a shell function
rev Reverse lines of a file
rm Remove files
rmdir Remove folder(s)
rsync Remote file copy (Synchronize file trees)
s who Print all usernames currently logged in
screen Multiplex terminal, run remote shells via ssh
scp Secure copy (remote file copy)
sdiff Merge two files interactively
sed Stream Editor
select Accept keyboard input
seq Print numeric sequences
set Manipulate shell variables and functions
sftp Secure File Transfer Program
shift Shift positional parameters
shopt Shell Options
shutdown Shutdown or restart linux
sleep Delay for a specified time
slocate Find files
sort Sort text files
source Run commands from a file `.'
split Split a file into fixed-size pieces
ssh Secure Shell client (remote login program)
strace Trace system calls and signals
su Substitute user identity
sudo Execute a command as another user
sum Print a checksum for a file
suspend Suspend execution of this shell •
symlink Make a new name for a file
sync Synchronize data on disk with memory
t
tail Output the last part of files
tee Redirect output to multiple files
test Evaluate a conditional expression
time Measure Program running time
times User and system times
touch Change file timestamps
top List processes running on the system
trap Run a command when a signal is set(bourne)
tr Translate, squeeze, and/or delete characters
tsort Topological sort
tty Print filename of terminal on stdin
type Describe a command •
u
ulimit Limit user resources •
umask Users file creation mask
umount Unmount a device
unalias Remove an alias •
uname Print system information
unexpand Convert spaces to tabs
uniq Uniquify files
units Convert units from one scale to another
unset Remove variable or function names
until Execute commands (until error)
useradd Create new user account
usermod Modify user account
uuencode Encode a binary file
uudecode Decode a file created by uuencode
v
v Verbosely list directory contents (`ls -l -b')
vdir Verbosely list directory contents (`ls -l -b')
vi Text Editor
vmstat Report virtual memory statistics
w
watch Execute/display a program periodically
wc Print byte, word, and line counts
whereis Search the user's $path, man pages and source files
for a program
which Search the user's $path for a program file
while Execute commands
whoami Print the current user id and name (`id -un')
Wget Retrieve web pages or files via HTTP, HTTPS or FTP
write Send a message to another user
x
xargs Execute utility, passing constructed argument list(s)
xdg-open Open a file or URL in the user's preferred application.
yes Print a string until interrupted
. Run a command script in the current shell
### Comment / Remark
Page 14 of 17
Ubuntu 10.04 vs Windows 7
Installation
Windows 7

 Advantages
- Install is quick, easy and painless.
- After working through a few wizard screens at the beginning, the install is automatic
 Disadvantages
- None really
Ubuntu 9.10

 Advantages
- Option to “try before you install” using the Live CD feature
- Can easily install as a dual boot or even inside Windows using the Wubi installer
 Disadvantages
- Unless you’re lucky to get a CD, you do have to mess about with .ISO files and burn
a disc. If you’re happy doing that, it’s not really a problem.
Speed/Performance

Windows 7

 Advantages
- Both are excellent
 Disadvantages
- None really
Ubuntu 9.10

 Advantages
- Both are excellent
 Disadvantages
- None really

Page 15 of 17
Software
Windows 7

 Advantages
- If you’re willing to pay, there’s a lot of software for the Windows platform
- Equally, there’s a LOT of free stuff if you look around
 Disadvantages
- Bundled fayre is pretty poor
Ubuntu 9.10

 Advantages
- Comes complete with an excellent array of software
- Access to, and installing, new software is a snap
 Disadvantages
- None really … just don’t expect to run Windows software (even if you do resort to
Wine)
Media Support
Windows 7

 Advantages
- Excellent support for media formats, including DRMed media, out of the box
 Disadvantages
- Windows Media Player isn’t the best bit of software around
Ubuntu 9.10

 Advantages
- Good support for media formats
 Disadvantages
- If you want to play DVDs then you need to resort to “Restricted” codecs
- Many media formats that use proprietary DRM just won’t work on Ubuntu because
of DRM restrictions
Hardware support
Windows 7

 Advantages
- On the whole, Windows 7 offers excellent support for modern hardware right out of
the box
 Disadvantages
- You might be out of luck with old hardware

Page 16 of 17
Ubuntu 9.10

 Advantages
- Overall, hardware support is good, and getting better
- On really low-end hardware you can substitute Ubuntu for Xubuntu
 Disadvantages
- There are no guarantees
- There’s no “Works with Linux” logo that buyers can look for when buying new
hardware

My final thoughts after all

I’ve thought long and hard about this one and I’ve come to the conclusion that while
neither OS is perfect (far from it), both are also just as usable once you devote the time
to figuring things out. I have years of Windows experience under my belt and a lot less
with Ubuntu but I can’t say that’s a problem.

There’s no doubt that Windows is much useful OS than Ubuntu. In fact, for most users
out there it’s the only OS and many of those aware that a different OS exists know about
Mac OS rather than Ubuntu.

Page 17 of 17