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Not sure, but if you decide, it’s on sale at Best Buy the next two days... I am waiting till next spring to buy a new puter.
I did the same conversion you are considering....everything including files and settings converted perfectly....
Have seen some anectodal reports that the Vista to 7 move is pretty smooth and easy. XP to 7 is much more intensive and requires help for the casual user.
Haven’t heard any former Vista users complain about 7 yet, so that’s a good sign!
When upgrading, it’s usually best to back up all files and perform a clean install of the new OS.
It depends on what version you buy. If you have the 64 bit version of Vista, you will want to make sure yu install the 64 bit version of Windows 7. I believe that this time both the 32 and 64 bit versions will be on the same install disk, but I may be mistaken. If you are simply upgrading from Vista, then you shouldn’t lose any info and it should all stay in the same folders. If however, you are doing a complete clean install, you will need to back up your info on another drive, whether it be a second hard drive, a jump drive, or an external hard drive.
I understand the upgrade from Vista is virtually painless. But before you do, do a Google search for Windows 7 upgrade advisor. Download, install and run it to see what issues you may have.
I have XP, and I found that my video card is an issue, along with some software (such as Zone Alarm). I have no intention of upgrading, but just wanted to see what came up.
All the previous “upgrades” of Windows systems, in my experience, have been a pain in the rectum and often complete failures. It’s always best to back up all your stuff on an external drive and then reformat and install the entire new system fresh. Then reinstall your applications. It takes a bit of time but can save hours of inexplicable heartaches.
And frankly, Windows OSes genrally need a new re-install after a few months or years of use as they pack up with odd bits of junk.
Before you update to Windows 7, they will give you a list of programs that you will have to uninstall and reinstall, so you will have advance notice. They told me I would have to uninstall Itunes, but I didn’t bother too, and it worked fine.
You will also find that a few of your older programs will actually work better on Windows7 than they did on Windows Vista.
If you have up to date hardware, it is a good idea to make the move.
Vista to Win7 is cake and you shouldn’t lose a thing (unless you have Ultimate in which case Windows Ultimate Extras vanish after a warning. Man I miss hold-em.)
XP to 7 is a bit harder, but most running XP could use a good refresh anyway. :)
I’ve done both upgrades and they went without a hitch.
You’ll like 7.
“My hovercraft is full of eels”-Hungarian phrasebook, circa 1974.
Very easy, as long as you are upgrading to 64 bit Win7.
Just pop the Win7 disk in while running Vista and it will walk you through it.
Just to be completely safe, you should first clone your hard drive and set it aside.
Assuming you have optical media, it's about a half-hour procedure max. Super clean, at least in my experience. I installed XP on a virtual box the other day and it was like waiting for a glacier to melt by comparison. Win7 is much faster than that.
If you do not have optical media and need to install from a USB thumb, let me know - there's a couple of wrinkles but when you get it worked out that sucker flies. That's the way I'll be installing from now on...
For me going from Vx32 to W7x64 was easy. Understand that you will have to reload all of you applications after you do the installation as there really isn’t a true upgrade path.
Can’t speak directly to the 64 bit question but I converted three 32 bit machines to Windows 7 in a jiffy from Vista. All it took was to insert the CD and it did all the work. I didn’t back up anything and all my files are ready to work with. Easiest thing I have ever had to do. BTW, Windows 7 comes with both 32 bit and 64 bit version so take your pick. 64 bit is a “bit” down the road from what I have heard regardless.
Mynd you, møøse bites Kan be pretty nasti...