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Microsoft reveals upgrade paths for Windows 7
Windows users wondering if you'll be able to pop in a shiny new Windows 7 disc, push the Install button, and watch as your computer is upgraded while leaving your data and programs in place, rejoice; Microsoft has released the official list of supported Windows 7 upgrade paths. Here are the highlights:
- Windows XP and below users are out of luck. You must have Windows Vista SP1 or newer to upgrade to Windows 7.
- You can't upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista Starter Edition.
- If you're upgrading from Windows Vista, you must upgrade to one of the standard Windows 7 SKUs (meaning you can't upgrade to Windows N, Windows K, Windows KN, or Windows E.)
- Windows Vista's "Business" SKU is now called "Professional" in Windows 7. Don't be alarmed when you can't find Windows 7 "Business" on the shelves.
[via Windows 7 News]
Comments
26
Subscribe to commentsGeirJul 28th 2009 5:10PM
Microsoft really shoot themselves in the foot if there is no upgrade path from XP.
MollyJul 28th 2009 5:33PM
"Windows XP and below users are out of luck."
maybe not. maybe Windows XP users don't consider Windows Mojave II, err, Windows 7 an 'upgrade' anyway :)
Adam MarasJul 28th 2009 5:35PM
True. However, a lot of users have been hearing that, while Windows Vista wasn't worth upgrading to, Windows 7 will be. Quite a few people I know personally are holding out on Windows XP until Windows 7 is available for public consumption.
Crazy SerbJul 28th 2009 5:44PM
I have to agree - no upgrade for Windows XP users won't see me thinking about Win7 any time soon. What a dumb move... and they could've had me, again, after all these years of holding out. They could've had me...
ThunderbuckJul 29th 2009 8:07AM
There's an alternative to an "in-place" upgrade, and it's worth considering: Windows Easy Transfer.
It's already built in to Vista, but Microsoft has a free download for XP. Run it on your old machine, and it nicely and neatly packs (almost) everything up. Files, settings, user accounts, preferences. Moves it all, say, to a USB hard drive.
Then, you do a clean install of Windows 7. Run Windows Easy Transfer from your nice, new, clean install, and it will find all your stuff and put it back where you had it. Seriously. It kept my IE shortcuts, e-mail, and desktop wallpaper. This is WAY better than an "in-place" upgrade, because your machine will run much better with a fresh install.
Two caveats: it takes a while to transfer all your stuff off from your old install. Possibly as long as overnight. And, you'll have to reinstall all your applications (but, seriously, this is a good idea anyway; your machine will run better).
By the way, this doesn't just apply to XP. Anybody who's moving to 64 bit Windows from 32 bit can't do an in-place upgrade, either.
Crazy SerbJul 29th 2009 10:39AM
Yeah, I never heard of that Windows Easy Transfer... you'd think that Microsoft could've bundled something like that up with the new Windows, eh?
Downloading...
BrianJul 28th 2009 5:46PM
The lack of an upgrade path from XP could be a problem for those who preordered through Amazon.com. Their page clearly states that the upgrade is good for "All editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista". See http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DHLUWK/ref=oss_T4_product
for details.
Adam MarasJul 28th 2009 5:49PM
The text on Amazon.com refers to the eligibility for upgrade pricing, not whether or not Windows 7 can do an in-place upgrade.
slabJul 28th 2009 5:48PM
This is just for the in-place upgrade.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd940011%28WS.10%29.aspx states 'In-place upgrade in Windows 7 Beta does not provide support for Windows XP and Windows Vista Release-to-Manufacturing (without Service Pack 1) operating systems.'
MollyJul 28th 2009 5:58PM
mind you, only owners of retail versions are eligible for such upgrades, which is a very, very small percentage anyway. owners of OEM computers have a deal with the respective manufacturers and not with Microsoft.
and since hardly anyone went out to buy Vista Retail (remember, it was a disaster), Microsoft's generosity doesn't really cost 'em that much :)
MalteserrJul 28th 2009 6:00PM
What the hell does upgrade matter anyway? Do a clean install of 7 on your XP machine and you'll be good to go if you're a normal user.
ChristianJul 28th 2009 6:03PM
Strongly agree
Adam MarasJul 28th 2009 6:07PM
As a power user, I would agree with you. But, unfortunately, the hassle of backing everything up, making sure the right drivers are present, making sure the software is still present, and then going through and starting over from a clean slate is simply too much hassle for most computer users. My guess is that, for the most part, users would rather just stick with what they have "because it works" than jump through hoops to get the new shiny operating system.
That being said, once applications that require Windows 7 are released, some users will have their hands forced on the issue.
PeterJul 28th 2009 8:58PM
Adam - Those people will just wait and get Win7 when they get a new machine and would never do an upgrade anyway. I don't think I know a single person who ever upgraded their OS.
True in-place upgrades aren't worth the hassle. Tech-savvy people will do a clean install, everyone else will just get it with a new machine.
MollyJul 28th 2009 8:04PM
"once applications that require Windows 7 are released, some users will have their hands forced on the issue."
remains to be seen. since Microsoft supports XP until 2019 (the embedded version that is and i'd bet the farm, Windows 7 will be long gone by then) software makers will make sure there is no shortage in supply of programs that will work with XP, not to worry.
JimJul 29th 2009 1:46AM
So, will my XP programs run on Vista II, or am I as SOL on that as I am with Vista I?
sRcJul 29th 2009 2:58AM
just because I'm tired of bullshit statements like that, what IN PARTICULAR do you have that doesn't run on Vista?
JasmineJul 29th 2009 3:46AM
@sRc:
I don't know about Jim, but my dad still uses XP on all his office computers because of the billing software the company relies on that runs only on XP. Sure, Windows 7 has the XP compatibility mode for that very reason, but if he can't upgrade straight from XP to 7, why bother? He won't get anything out of Windows 7 that he can't already get through XP with some extra software.
My own issue is that I installed Windows 7 RC on a computer I built, and I preordered the Home Premium upgrade on Amazon, under the impression that I could use it on that computer. I thought it would be a straight upgrade, with the RC files going into a folder called "Windows.old" (or something to that effect) and the full release having a normal "Windows" folder.
Granted, I have an unused copy of Vista Business thanks to Microsoft Dreamspark, but I don't know if I can go Windows 7 RC -> Vista Business -> Windows 7 Home Premium. Does anyone know if I can take that route?
sRcJul 31st 2009 5:25AM
okay, custom business apps I can understand. but otherwise, honestly I have only met one program that I tried installing that outright didnt work under Vista, and that was only under Vista x64, it worked fine on x86.
as for the upgrade path, you won't be able to downgrade to Vista Business from 7, no, you would have to clean install the Vista. butyou should be able to go 7 RC -> 7 Home Premium jut fine (generating a Windows.Old folder) anyway so theres no reason to use the bridge route. this is the list of In-Place upgrades, that WOULDN'T generate a "Windows.Old" folder
DolarJul 29th 2009 10:34PM
@Jasmine
I am in the same boat. I got that same copy of windows vista business, that I never bothered installing :) I think I want to go with windows 7 for my gamging rig that currently has XP pro. I am thinking it would be possible to go xp to vista, vista to 7. But not sure it would be worth the effect. a fresh install always seemes to be best idea for windows anyway, every time I have upgraded I always had issues that a fresh install fixed.