Operating System Software

Genuine Microsoft® Windows™

Most of our customers hoose Genuine Microsoft Windows for their new PC, though contrary to popular belief, Windows is not the only option vailable for PC based systems today.

On this page, we'll take a look at some of the features, benefits and limitations of choosing a Windows based OS

Microsoft Windows 7

Windows 7 Desktop

Windows 7 Software available in 32-bit or 64-bit versions.

  • Windows 7 Home Premium is the most common version found on the greatest number of home and small business machines and supports up to 16GB RAM
  • Windows 7 Professional adds Primary Domain Controller connectivity, the ability to backup to remote locations, a special XP mode (via additional download) to enable running otherwise unsupported XP applications and RAM support is lifted to 192GB.
  • Windows 7 Ultimate adds data encryption to internal and external drives and it allows multi language selections from any running system.

32-bit or 64-bit, what should I choose?

32-bit Windows

  • 32-bit Windows is best for compatibility with some older software, such as titles no longer developed, but still mission critical.
  • 32-bit Windows has a RAM memory limitation of 3GB for Home Premium and 4GB for Professional.
  • 32-bit software is incapable of using the full capabilities of todays hardware and applications will run marginally slower tha a 64-bit system.

64-bit Windows

  • 64-bit Windows will run most 32-bit applications quite successfully.
  • 64-bit Windows supports up to 16GB RAM for Home Premium or 192GB RAM for the Professional and Ultimate editions.
  • 64-bit software can utilise all the advanced hardware features of todays hardware and 64-bit applications run at full speed.
  • 64-bit software has a slightly larger memory footprint, but it utilises it more efficiently.

What is provided with Windows7?

Dual Boot

Windows7 as provided by Microsoft is provided with sufficient software to enable most users to get started with their PC. Of the most commonly required features used by 95% of PC users, Windows7 Home Premium provides the following from the install DVD;

  • Ability to connect to a network
  • Ability to browse web pages
  • Very limited document support
  • Limited multimedia support
    • Ability to playback most Microsoft proprietary codecs
    • Ability to encode CD's to WMA or MP3 format
    • Windows Media Center
  • A small handful of simple games
  • Reasonable range of USB peripheral device support
  • Limited range of printer drivers preloaded
  • Basic file compression and decompression
  • Minimalistic malware protection
  • Simple data backup and restore
  • Simple CD and data DVD creation (not always readable with older versions of Windows)
  • Windows Live Essentials 2011 is available at no cost from Microsofts servers as a seperate download. It includes options to install additional programs as listed below.
      • Windows Live Messenger
      • Windows Live Photo Gallery
      • Windows Live Movie Maker
      • Windows Live Mesh
      • Windows Live Writer
      • Windows Live Family Safety
      • Windows Live Messenger Companion
      • Windows Live Bing Toolbar
      • Windows Live Outlook Connector Pack
      • Microsoft Silverlight

    Katikati Computers preload our systems with the most commonly requested Windows Live applications, making them available from first boot fro all system purchasers.


    Windows7 does not provide the following;

    • Microsoft Office is not included with Windows7
      • Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, Publisher and Access are not included with Windows7, they are classified as productivity applications and are not included in a Windows Operatign System license.
    • Windows7 has no built-in email application
    • Full Multimedia support requires additional downloads and often third party applications
    • DVD movie creation requires the purchase of additional media codecs
    • Windows7 is usually out of date in its preloaded state and requires huge downloads to catch up with security updates.

    Windows7 is best viewed as a platform or base onto which the software you need can be added to give you the type of system you require. If we take the example of a house, a fresh Windows7 install is like a newly finished house, nicely painted with driveway and gardens intact, but no real furniture inside.

    Windows7 starts to become really useful after it has been enhanced with your preferred Aplications, Utilities and of course, your favourite toys. This is where the right selection can make all the difference for you as a user, though we'll see more of that in another page.




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