Windows 7 vs Windows XP:To upgrade or not?

[davids2004]

I have the ability to update to windows 7 for free through school. I am running XP right now on desktop and laptop. I want to upgrade just my desktop to windows 7 possibly. My question is will I have any issues with running xp on laptop and win 7 on desktop. What about wireless networking will that cause any issues? Also I have more than 3 computers and tried to install my own personal copy of office on those pcs and it said the product key has been used too many times If I install win 7 on my desktop, will I have that issue when reinstalling office?

So my questions is should I upgrade to windows 7?

Thanks.

[EzyStvy]

If it ain't broke don't fix it

Have you run the Win 7 Compatability test thingie?

My question is will I have any issues with running xp on laptop and win 7 on desktop.

Maybe - Maybe not....It just depends.....

Office like most applicaions are licensed to run on ONE computer.....So if you've already exceeded that number AND you try to install it again-> Guess What

[Slaander]

you can't upgrade from window xp to window 7, and have to be clean install, also hardware driver might be another issue. and if just for apps is no sense to upgrade to window 7 imo.

[JessicaD]

Davids2004,

It would be best to run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor before you migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7.
To determine if your current computer configuration will be compatible with Windows 7 please go to the following link: http://tinyurl.com/no4xb7

Please note that when migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an "in place upgrade" option. You will however have the option to select "custom" install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in "My Documents" over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually.

For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: http://bit.ly/3DvynK

For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

[davids2004]

Originally Posted by JessicaD Davids2004, It would be best to run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor before you migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7. To determine if your current computer configuration will be compatible with Windows 7 please go to the following link: http://tinyurl.com/no4xb7 Please note that when migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an "in place upgrade" option. You will however have the option to select "custom" install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in "My Documents" over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually. For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: http://bit.ly/3DvynK For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4 Jessica Microsoft Windows Client Team

I have ran the Windows 7 compability test. My computer passed with no issues. My question though is there any reason to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP. I also know it will have to be a clean install as well, which I am not worried about. I am just wondering if there are any benefits of Windows 7 vs XP.

[EzyStvy]

davids2004 - my favorite food for thought-> when after doing your homework you can list 10 things/new features of Win 7 that you'd really really like to use - then it'lll be time to install it.

OR, if you're in an IT related type of job and knowing the ins and outs of Win 7 would be very helpfull - then GO 4 IT.

There are MILLIONS of people on XP that have NO Reason what's so ever to upgrade...And that saves them a lot of time and money

[Statica]

An upgrade for the sake of making it cool or for the sake of an upgrade is just not worth it. Check out this and other forums and see the issues with any OS - not just XP .. having a stable Windows production system is a luxury for most people. If you believe that an upgrade is going to significantly improve your system and dramatically help with your workflow and you believe that its worth the hassle of a backup .. wipe .. install .. troubleshoot .. restore from backup .. customize - then go for it.

The only time a Microsoft upgrade is worth the time and the effort, IMO, is when doing a hardware upgrade (new build etc) .. it makes sense to move to a new OS if you have to start from scratch anyways.

Yeah .. it's one of those things .. that even for free, a new Microsoft OS is sometimes just not worth the hassle

[cliffboy]

If you have Windows 7 drivers available for your devices, then go for the upgrade. But if you don't, just forget it. WinXP is supported up until 2014. I upgraded to Windows 7 with old hardware and the "Aero" features don't work and my soundcard, a Santa Cruz, has it's control panel not functioning at all. But the basics, I'm still able to do it with my rig.

[CarlS]

I just had to install an new motherboard, hard drive and I added memory. My XP Pro was doing just fine and it was well tuned. Having recently moved, my XP disks were in a box in storage. My daughter sent me a legitimate copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and I installed it. I am really pleased with Windows 7. That said, I would probably have gone and got my XP out of storage if I had not gotten the free copy of Windows 7.