Windows 7 finally released to the masses, and while the OS's reception has been mostly postive, this week saw its share of stories about upgrade snags, security issues, reboots, and installation workarounds. CIO.com's Shane O'Neill rounds up the latest Windows 7 upgrade and security stories. Windows 7 is now generally available and deals are everywhere, so you should start cranking on those upgrades or researching which new PC to buy, right? Well, not so fast. A week after the launch of Vista’s replacement, much of the talk around Windows 7 has been about upgrade snags and too many reboots, and a money-saving installation workaround that Redmond let slide. There was also straight talk on Windows 7 security and some advice on the right time to upgrade. Strong hint: It’s not now. [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system — including hands-on reviews, video tutorials and advice on enterprise rollouts– see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ]There are also conflicting reports about enteprise plans for Windows 7, with some chomping at the bit to get off XP and others content to wait for Windows 7 to mature. In other words, getting to Windows 7 is more complicated than it seems.Here is this week’s round up of Windows 7 upgrade stories from CIO.com and its sister publications. Win 7 Upgrade Woes: Endless Reboots, Product Key Problems 10/26/2009 Call it the legacy of Microsoft’s Vista operating system. PC users upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 have run into a variety of hair pulling problems since last Thursday when Windows 7 launched. Complaints range from endless reboots to refusals by Windows to accept Microsoft’s assigned product keys. Windows 7 Endless Reboot Answer Evades Microsoft 10/27/2009 Some Windows users remained stymied today by endless reboots after trying to upgrade their PCs to Windows 7, according to messages posted on Microsoft’s support forum. Slideshow: Windows 7 in Pictures: The Coolest New Hardware Slideshow: 7 Tools to Ease Your Windows 7 Rollout Windows 7 Launch: Early Adopters Eager to Bid Farewell to XP 10/23/2009 At the Windows 7 launch in New York, businesses planning to migrate to Windows 7 discussed cost savings, testing strategies, and security hopes and fears with CIO.com. One consensus: Windows XP is on life support. Windows 7: IT Managers Will Be Slow to Move from XP 10/22/2009 UK IT professionals are giving Windows 7 a guarded welcome, with concerns about quality, cost and compatibility tempering their enthusiasm for Microsofts new operating system. Windows 7 Install Trick Saves Up to $100 10/23/2009 Users can do a “clean” installation of Windows 7 using an upgrade license to save $80-$100 over the price of a “full” edition, a popular blog reported. Microsoft Confirms Windows 7 Install Trick is Legal 10/29/2009 Microsoft today confirmed that users can apply a workaround trick to do a clean install of Windows 7 on a blank hard drive as long as they toe the licensing line. Users Should Delay Windows 7 Upgrade, Support Firm Warns 10/30/2009 Users should wait for Microsoft to work out the bugs in Windows 7 before jumping on the new operating system, computer support firm Rescuecom said. Five Things You Should Know About Windows 7 Security 10/29/2009 Microsoft says Windows 7 is the most secure version of the Windows. What else would you expect? Is Microsoft going to come out with a new operating system and make it less secure than its predecessor? Still, there are actually a number of significant security improvements in windows 7 to be aware of. Microsoft Unwraps Netbook Windows 7 Upgrade Tool 10/25/2009 Microsoft has released a tool that lets netbook owners install Windows 7 on their machines using a USB flash drive, sidestepping the usual requirement of a DVD drive. Microsoft Deal Discounts Windows 7 Upgrades By 58% 10/22/2009 Microsoft today launched a promotion that discounts Windows 7 upgrades as much as 58% when customers also buy a new Windows 7 PC. Several retailers are already offering the deal to PC buyers. Five Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 7 10/22/2009 The curtain has been raised and the confetti has fallen. Windows 7 is here. After the problems with the launch of Windows Vista– both real and perceived– many users are cautious about jumping on Windows 7 too quickly. Shane O’Neill is a senior writer at CIO.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/smoneill. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter at twitter.com/CIOonline. Related content feature 4 remedies to avoid cloud app migration headaches The compelling benefits of using proprietary cloud-native services come at a price: vendor lock-in. Here are ways CIOs can effectively plan without getting stuck. By Robert Mitchell Nov 29, 2023 9 mins CIO Managed Service Providers Managed IT Services case study Steps Gerresheimer takes to transform its IT CIO Zafer Nalbant explains what the medical packaging manufacturer does to modernize its IT through AI, automation, and hybrid cloud. By Jens Dose Nov 29, 2023 6 mins CIO SAP ServiceNow feature Per Scholas redefines IT hiring by diversifying the IT talent pipeline What started as a technology reclamation nonprofit has since transformed into a robust, tuition-free training program that seeks to redefine how companies fill tech skills gaps with rising talent. By Sarah K. White Nov 29, 2023 11 mins Diversity and Inclusion Hiring news Saudi Arabia will host the World Expo in 2030 in Riyadh By Andrea Benito Nov 28, 2023 3 mins CIO Artificial Intelligence Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe