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Support for Windows 7

Support options, learn more and lifecycle information for Windows 7.

Support options and resources

For technical assistance with Windows 7, please click here. For other content, please select a category below.

Self-support options

Windows 7 Help & how to
Visit the Windows 7 Help & how to center to learn about how to get all you can out of Windows 7.

Windows 7 and hardware and software compatibility
Find out if your software or hardware is compatible or if you just need a software upgrade or a new driver.

Get the latest service packs, updates and more
Visit the Windows Download Center to find the latest services packs, updates, trials and drivers.

Self-support options for work

IT Pros: Windows 7 TechCenter on TechNet
Visit the Windows 7 TechCenter on TechNet for advanced troubleshooting and guidance for IT Pros.

Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack
Learn more about this suite of technologies available as a subscription for Software Assurance customers to improve compatibility and management, reduce support costs, improve asset management, and improve policy control in your environment.

Developers: Windows Client Developer Center on MSDN
Visit the Visit the Windows Client Developer Center on MSDN to learn about Windows development.

Support for Small Business
Simple help and troubleshooting for small businesses.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network.

Small and Midsize Business Guide
Find tools, technical overviews, step-by-step guides, and videos to help you deploy the latest Windows Client operating system in a small or midsize environment.

Ask the community

Community resources

Microsoft Community
Post a question or browse for solutions in the Windows 7 Community forums.

IT Pros: Microsoft TechNet Windows 7 forums
Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft TechNet Windows 7 forums.

Developers: Microsoft MSDN Software Development for Windows Client forums
Post a question or browse for solutions in the MSDN Software Development for Windows Client forums.

Get technical support

Get non-technical or customer service assistance
For general inquiries about Microsoft products and services visit our Contact Us page.

Technical support options

You may be entitled to free warranty support from your OEM (original equipment manufacturer). Visit our OEM contact page to learn how to tell whether your installation is OEM and to browse contact information for many OEMs. If your Microsoft product was preinstalled, distributed with your computer, or obtained as an upgrade directly from your computer manufacturer, the primary source for support is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) who provided the Microsoft product.

Get Microsoft technical support
To contact a Microsoft support professional, click on the product and version below that is applicable to you. We’ll ask you a few questions to help us determine what your support options are. The support options may include email, on-line submission or phone support.

To find out what version you have, click the Start button, right click Computer and then click Properties.

Windows 7

Technical support options for work

IT Pros: Contact a Microsoft support professional using your TechNet subscription
As a TechNet Plus subscriber, you are entitled to receive two (2) complimentary incidents and a 20 percent discount on any additional phone incidents you purchase. Learn more.

Developers: Contact a Microsoft support professional using your MSDN Subscription
As an MSDN subscriber, you may be entitled to receive up to four (4) technical support incidents depending on your subscription level. These support incidents can be used to resolve technical break-fix issues in a non-production environment and are the equivalent of paid Professional Support incidents. You can use a technical support incident to find a solution to a production issue if you can replicate that issue in a non-production environment. Learn more.

Microsoft Premier Customers: Visit Microsoft Premier Online (MPO) for troubleshooting resources or to submit an incident online
Enterprise customers with a Premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online (MPO) for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

Microsoft Partners: Access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network.

Microsoft Software Assurance
Get volume licensing and additional benefits with the Microsoft Software Assurance program.

Learn more

Using Windows 7

Windows 7 Help & how to
Visit the Windows 7 Help & how to pages for more information.

Differences between 32-bit version or 64-bit versions of the Windows operating system
Learn how to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.

Personalization Gallery
Get Windows 7 themes, desktop backgrounds and gadgets to personalize your Windows 7 PC.

Office 2010 + Windows 7: better together
See how innovations in Windows 7 are seamlessly integrated with Office 2010 to help you work more efficiently.

Explore Windows
Browse categories such as Photos & videos, Email & chat, PC health and more.

Upgrading to Windows 7

Upgrade to Windows 8 today
Get Windows 8 today and be more secure.

Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7
Get step by step guidance on how to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Migration From Windows XP to Windows 7 (video)
Watch this video to observe the migration process from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Service Pack 1

Learn about Windows 7 Service Pack 1

What's included in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Learn more abou the previously released security, performance, and stability updates and new improvements to features and services in Windows 7 SP1.

Documentation for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (KB976932)
Get additional technical documentation for Windows 7 SP 1.

Get ready and install Service Pack 1

Installing Windows 7 Services Pack 1
Learn the things to consider and different ways to install Windows 7 SP1.

What is the System Update Readiness Tool?
See how the System Update Readiness Tool can help fix problems that might prevent Windows updates and service packs from installing.

IT Pros and Developers: Visit TechNet for Service Pack 1 Deployment Resources
Get more technical information on obtaining and deploying SP1.

Resolving problems with Service Pack 1 installation

Troubleshoot problems installing Windows 7 Service Pack 1

Resolving error 0xc0000034 after installing Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) (Updated)
Get the update that resolves this issue with Windows 7 SP1 and help avoid this issue with future updates.

Why am I receiving "Error 0xC000009A" after installing Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)? (Updated)
Get this update to resolve this error message while installing the service pack.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) installation error: 0x800F0A12
Get more information about the error, then, expand the section in this topic that corresponds to the message you receive and follow the instructions.

Support lifecycle

Learn more about Windows 7 support lifecycle

Support lifecycle policy page
Visit the Microsoft support lifecycle policy page to view Microsoft’s guidelines for product support from availability to end of product support lifecycle.

Windows 7 support lifecycle policies
View the support lifecycle policy information for the Windows 7 family of products.