Upgrade XP to Windows 7: There is Finally a Way

[LarryFlowers]

One of the expressed concerns about Windows 7 was the inability to upgrade an XP machine to Windows 7. There is nothing unusual about this. Each Microsoft OS has only provided an upgrade path from the previous OS.

In this case, so many people are still running XP, that it has raised a lot of concerns.

Don't get me wrong, I am dead set against ANY upgrade. I only do clean installs.

However, for those of you who wish to do this, a venerable old software company is coming to your rescue. Laplink PCMover software will allow you to do an upgrade from XP to Windows 7. See the information at http://laplink.com/media/press_releases/pressreleases_0022.html

Larry

[Hansen]

The saying, proceed at your own risk and peril comes to mind.

I agree with Larry, clean install is the best way to go. And, it really is not that hard to do if you kept your ducks in a row in terms of keeping license keys, etc.

[dpeters11]

One thing I keep hearing though is that it may still require an activated copy of XP, then it does a clean install by moving the XP files. This is what I'm dreading. Clean install is fine, but I don't want to have to install XP every time I want to reload 7. I just want to load 7 on its own, and provide it with an XP disc or license key.

[LarryFlowers]

You don't EVER have to have a Microsoft program installed to upgrade it. It will stop the process and tell you it doesn't see an upgradeable product. You will then be able to insert the disc for XP, the system will recognize it and proceed.

One thing I keep hearing though is that it may still require an activated copy of XP, then it does a clean install by moving the XP files. This is what I'm dreading. Clean install is fine, but I don't want to have to install XP every time I want to reload 7. I just want to load 7 on its own, and provide it with an XP disc or license key.

[kfcrosby]

Well at least there is an option :bang

I can see it now, I'll inevitably get a machine in that has been upgraded from ME to XP to 7......:eek2:

[HDJulie]

You don't EVER have to have a Microsoft program installed to upgrade it. It will stop the process and tell you it doesn't see an upgradeable product. You will then be able to insert the disc for XP, the system will recognize it and proceed.

I didn't think that was how Vista worked. I thought you had to be installing over XP in order to use the upgrade. It would ask for the medium instead? And if so, what do people who buy manufactured pc's do if there is no restore disk -- if there is only a restore partition.

[LarryFlowers]

One of the reasons that you do the following...

When ordering a new PC, ALWAYS make sure that the media is included.. there may be a charge but you are entitled to a copy and you need to be absolutely certain you get it.

If you purchase a PC at a retail outlet and there is no media, call the manufacturers customer service department and get the media, again there may be a charge but get the media.

The usual charge is around $10 for the media.

I didn't think that was how Vista worked. I thought you had to be installing over XP in order to use the upgrade. It would ask for the medium instead? And if so, what do people who buy manufactured pc's do if there is no restore disk -- if there is only a restore partition.

[houskamp]

I've done upgrades with restore disks before.. may depend on how the disk is done..

[dpeters11]

This post deals mostly with going from RC to RTM, but it does make it sound like for a 7 upgrade, an activated copy of Windows is needed. I can do it, not hard, it just adds a lot of work. Guess I'll start creating an image right after install.

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2009/07/a_major_windows_7_upgrade_question_gets_an_an.html

[HIPAR]

I'm relatively helpless with the default settings of a cleanly installed Windows system.

My XP system has evolved over three years into it's current configuration. There are just too many obscure settings and adjustments and custom shortcuts for me to even think of wiping out everything that allows me to navigate the system while working to my satisfaction.

I'd say, unless you're in love with your current hardware or cannot afford new, don't upgrade to Win7. Do a clean install on a new machine or, as a minimum, clean install Win7 on a new hard drive.

--- CHAS

[Renard]

I'm relatively helpless with the default settings of a cleanly installed Windows system.

My XP system has evolved over three years into it's current configuration. There are just too many obscure settings and adjustments and custom shortcuts for me to even think of wiping out everything that allows me to navigate the system while working to my satisfaction.

I'd say, unless you're in love with your current hardware or cannot afford new, don't upgrade to Win7. Do a clean install on a new machine or, as a minimum, clean install Win7 on a new hard drive.



Yeah a better way to do it, clean install Windows XP on one partition, Windows 7 on another.
My PC has 4 different OSs. XP Pro, Vista Ultimate, Windows 7 and Ubuntu. When I boot my computer it asks me which OS I wanna start. I just have the choice, when i am tired of XP, i go to Ubuntu, or Windows 7, or Vista.
I can chose whatever I want. Besides it's great because if one of my OSs is not working properly (which is rare) I can boot to another one. But of course it takes time to do that (especially when you download the updates for each OS)