Upgrade Windows 7

[Movieman]

I am going to try and find time to install it this weekend but I have a question for those of you that have it done already. When I went from Vista to 7 RC it made all my old files go to a folder called windows.old. Larry has already given me a link to do it as an upgrade rather than a clean install but I wanted to know if it was still causing this issue. It took me 2 days to reorganize all my files and my wife was pissed about the family pictures being out of whack. Any input would be great.

[ncxcstud]

as far as I know, the upgrade upgrades your OS...everything else stays the same (pathways and such).

My dad upgraded my step-moms computer and he never said he had to move anything around, it just works (much better than it did before too he said)...

granted, you'll still have to reinstall all your programs though.

[ryan3kgt]

I upgraded from Vista x64 to Windows 7 x64 and if you do not format the OD partition then yes it does preserve the original OS in a 'Windows.Old' folder.

[timmmaaayyy2003]

As I understand it, the Winows.old folder only happens if you're changing versions. ie. Premium to Pro. If you're going from Premium to Premium, all settings and programs stay as they were. RC was "Ultimate" and that's probably why you had a Windows.old folder afterward.

[LarryFlowers]

As I understand it, the Winows.old folder only happens if you're changing versions. ie. Premium to Pro. If you're going from Premium to Premium, all settings and programs stay as they were. RC was "Ultimate" and that's probably why you had a Windows.old folder afterward.

Any install of Windows 7 that isn't done from "boot" up or on a freshly formatted drive will resuly in a windows.old file contain your previous Vista or Windows 7 install if you choose to do a clean install as opposed to an upgrade.. which should be your choice.. new OS... clean install.

[Movieman]

Thanks for the replies. Larry, I see the part that you say new OS clean install but since its not really a new OS do you recommend an upgrade from RC or a clean install? On my laptop im not worried cause I can easily install all the programs its the main PC that has all the familly photos that will be more of the issue. Also, if its going to create the windows.old file is there a process where the final version will do a transfer of these files? Thanks for the help.

[ncxcstud]

easy solution...

create a partition on your hard drive...move all of your photos, movies, music, files, etc...into that partition (make sure it is big enough)

Then, do a clean install on the original drive...you'll still have all your original photos and such. Then, so your wife doesn't get mad at you, just direct the pictures folder of Windows to automatically go to that new drive and folder.

It is what I did.

Because the windows disk manager can be a little confusing at times, I'd recommend using Easus partition magic or something like that.... Works perfectly.

[LarryFlowers]

Thanks for the replies. Larry, I see the part that you say new OS clean install but since its not really a new OS do you recommend an upgrade from RC or a clean install? On my laptop im not worried cause I can easily install all the programs its the main PC that has all the familly photos that will be more of the issue. Also, if its going to create the windows.old file is there a process where the final version will do a transfer of these files? Thanks for the help.

You can go into the windows.old folder and cut and paste any file you want, but creating a partition is a good way to do it.

[Movieman]

You can go into the windows.old folder and cut and paste any file you want, but creating a partition is a good way to do it.

This is how it did it last time. I will have time tonight its just going to be a long night. Thanks for the posts. Larry thanks again for all your help throughout this process.:)

[dodge boy]

I am going to try and find time to install it this weekend but I have a question for those of you that have it done already. When I went from Vista to 7 RC it made all my old files go to a folder called windows.old. Larry has already given me a link to do it as an upgrade rather than a clean install but I wanted to know if it was still causing this issue. It took me 2 days to reorganize all my files and my wife was pissed about the family pictures being out of whack. Any input would be great.

Get a WD My book and put all your files on it and just copy them back when done

[Movieman]

Get a WD My book and put all your files on it and just copy them back when done

I upgraded my laptop this evening since there was nothing on the harddrive that I had to worry about. Its the wifes PC that will have to wait. I did have a question though. From the RC to the Final what really changed? I tried to find some difference and really cant tell. It works great but so did the RC.