Now that Windows 7 is released, you early adopters may be interested in exactly how to migrate your existing install to Windows 7. If this is the case, check out this Microsoft article: Step-by-Step: Windows 7 Upgrade and Migration.
The article walks you through all the scenarios:
- Windows XP to Windows 7
- Windows Vista to Windows 7
- Old XP/Vista computer to a new computer running Windows 7
Personally, whenever I am installing an OS, I just wipe my existing installation and install it new. In my experience, an upgrade typically leaves stuff behind and I prefer my OS installation not be inhibited by any “pre-existing conditions” so there are no problems down the road.
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If you are upgrading from XP to Windows 7, and you do a clean install, you are going to have problems. I write about them, and the solution, here: http://www.nathanhunstad.com/blog/2009/10/my-windows-7-nightmare-rant/
I read your rant. You should be more specific here and say that “If you buy the upgrade version of Windows 7 and do a clean install instead of the intended upgrade, then you are going to have problems.”
I was very excited anticipating Windows 7 release. I did not upgrade to Vista and have been very happy with XP, but talk about Windows 7 had me looking at upgrading to the new OS. Now with the release of Windows 7 we learn that you cannot upgrade from XP so you must purchase the full version and do a clean install – at almost $100 more in cost than the upgrade version and if you want to run older XP software including pre-2007 Microsoft Office you must purchase no less than the middle package of the software – the office version – at a cost of $300. – per computer.
I am no longer planning on upgrading. I have no interest in having to reinstall all of my software – the easy transfer is a joke – I don’t need Microsoft to copy my data and media files, which is all easy transfer is going to do.
Once again, I feel betrayed by Microsoft – and the new ad campaign that Mac is running is oh so true – if you have to start from scratch start over with a Mac!
I love Macs, too! I love it that there’s absolutely no upgrade hassle with Macs EVER. When your Mac gets old and obsolete, all you have to do is throw it out, shell out $2,000 and buy another one! Doesn’t get any easier than that! Macs are shiny and awesome! I love any computer with a picture of a fruit on it! GO APPLE!
As the article above states, YES YOU CAN upgrade from either Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7. As there are both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of both those operating systems, there are certain things you need to be aware of depending on if you plan on doing a 32-bit or a 64-bit upgrade, and how old any peripherals or software that you intend to use are. It would not hurt to run the Windows Upgrade Advisor first to make sure you are buying the right package to go with what you are wanting to do.