Don’t do an upgrade.
Do a clean install. Transfer all of your files to a USB memory device, and then when you get to the point in the windows install where it asks where you want to install it, delete the partition(s) then select new partition format it and then install it to that partition.
Then reload all of your applications. Then bring back your data.
Windows 8 is better than 7 because it is faster and consumes fewer system resources. I don’t particularly dig the new “start menu” but tolerate it.
Good advice!
You definitely want a clean install. Also, you won’t have a choice if you are migrating from XP 32-bit to 64-bit 7 or 8.x.
Windows 7 is pretty nice but I’d go as far to say that if you are going to upgrade from XP, jump to 8.1 and be done with it. I’m definitely not a “Metro” fan but Windows 8.1 with Classic Shell is pretty darn good.
YMMV