Posted on 10/21/2009 10:13:27 AM PDT by skeptoid
When Windows 7 is released on Thursday, many who'll rush out to buy it will be users of Windows XP.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has not made it easy for XP users to move to Win7. You won't be able to run the upgrade disk and have the newer operating system install on top of XP, leaving your data and programs in place.
Instead, you have two options:
1. You can do a Clean install, in which you wipe the hard drive clean and install a virgin copy of Windows 7, then reinstall your software and copy your data back to the drive.
2. You can do a Custom install, in which your older setup is squirreled away in a folder called WINDOWS.OLD. This will include your program files, though you won't be able to run your software from there. It will also include data files, but you shouldn't rely on this as your sole backup strategy prior to upgrading.
Because you can't upgrade over XP, there are some steps you'll want to take before you install Windows 7 to make the process easier.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.com ...
The article looks like good stuff - - ten bullet points of specifics.
I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7 about a week ago...so far I really like it.
Vista to Win7 yesterday on the work laptop. What an improvement! Oh, and I got some wallpaper that I guarantee you will keep other people’s fingers a safe distance from the machine...
That's considered upgrading.
What?
2. You can do a Custom install, in which your older setup is squirreled away in a folder called WINDOWS.OLD. This will include your program files, though you won’t be able to run your software from there. It will also include data files, but you shouldn’t rely on this as your sole backup strategy prior to upgrading.”
Hmmm. That seemed to have worked well for me when I went from Vista to the RC.
I just reinstalled the software that I use most often, and moved my saved files to a 2nd HD.
But seriously, save yourself the hassle. Clean Install 7 on a separate partition, move important data to the partition with 7 on it, Delete old partition when you feel comfortable enough.
Buy another HDD, do a clean install onto the new HDD configuring for dual boot. When you want to do stuff with your old XP boot to XP, when you want to do Windows 7 stuff boot there. Eventually all your stuff will be in 7 and you can stop with XP.
:-)
Win 7 will make people forget about the Vista fiasco. I’ve been using Win 7 beta since january without fail.
Microsoft strikes again. BWAHAHAHAHAHHA why bother allowing the customer to upgrade? HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA
True that....;)
So is the Vista to Windoze 7 easier?
Yes...I upgraded to the beta from vista and it was VERY easy....sure like the new windows....
I suspect that it's not allowed because it would be an upgrade accross two versions: XP -> Vista -> Win7. (It's like trying to upgrade directly from version 1 to version 3 of some software product.) It's common for software companies to not provide for upgrades across two versions. XP -> Vista is OK. Vista -> Win7 is OK. But XP -> Win7 is not OK.
I’ve been told that this new computer won’t run XP. I sure don’t like Vista and I don’t want to try 7.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.