14 DAY TRIAL // Following a recent Microsoft Support update released after Windows 7 was generally available to the public on October 22nd, the company’s knowledge base articles will redirect customers to a solution center focused on the latest iteration of the Windows client, if a specific KB article doesn’t address issues related to the operating system. Users looking to fix issues associated with Windows Vista’s successor are now invited to visit the Windows 7 Solution Center.
Focused on helping end users deal with possible problems associated with Windows 7, the Solution Center covers a range of areas, including installation, upgrading and activation, but also performance, safety and security, Internet Explorer, entertainment, and productivity. When first visiting the center users will be welcomed by a key resource section.
Among the key resources, Microsoft is featuring: Windows 7 Home page, What's new in Windows 7, IT-Professionals: Visit the Windows Client TechCenter on TechNet, Have a question? Ask a question in the Windows 7 forum, Can my PC run Windows 7?, Visit the Windows 7 Help & How To Center and Windows 7 system requirements.
In case the Solution Center is not capable of offering a fix for a specific Windows 7 problem, the Redmond company is also highlighting the fact that support is available from the community, and that end users can also leverage self-support. But when these alternatives also fail, there’s always assisted support and customer service. Paid Incident Support is available for all Windows 7 editions Enterprise, Home Premium, Professional, Starter and Ultimate but not for the Home Basic SKU. As far as free support from the community goes, Microsoft is pointing users to the Microsoft Answers Forums, where help is at hand even from company MVPs.
Of course that when end users access a certain KB resource set up to resolve an issue with Windows 7, while running a computer with Windows 7 installed, Microsoft Support will no longer redirect them to the Solution Center for Vista’s successor.