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Windows 7 upgraders guide: The simple version
First, let's spell out the important terms.
In-Place Upgrade: means one you can run from your current Windows desktop. If f you currently own a laptop or desktop with Windows Vista Home Premium you will be able to boot up your computer as normal, pop in your Windows 7 Home Premium disk, and upgrade Windows. Your existing data (music, pictures, etc.) and programs are automatically moved.
Custom Install: "Custom" here really means "new," "fresh," or "clean." When you finish installing Windows your new desktop will be pretty bare - none of your old programs of data will be there, so you'll need to back them up first. Custom installs can't be performed from your existing Windows desktop. You have to force your system to boot from the Windows 7 DVD instead.
We'll take a thorough look at doing just that in an upcoming DLS 101 post.
Windows XP and Vista Starter can't be upgraded: You can probably still install Windows 7, but the in-place upgrade is not an option for any version of Windows XP. All moves from XP to Windows 7 must be done through a custom install. It's also worth pointing out that Vista Starter Edition was never made widely available in developed nations.
32 and 64-bit: Windows XP and the many flavors of Vista are available in 32 and 64-bit versions. If you are planning on doing an in-place upgrade, you must purchase the same bit number Windows 7 as your current Windows Vista.
Upgrading to Ultimate: Any version of Windows Vista (except Starter) can be upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate.
Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, and Business upgrades: If you aren't upgrading to Ultimate, you have to match things up. Both home versions can only be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium. Vista Business can only be upgraded to Windows 7 Professional.
One last word on custom installs: No need to worry about matching here. If you're booting from a Windows 7 DVD and doing a new Windows install, the restrictions in the upgrade chart don't mean anything to you.
Comments
29
Subscribe to commentschrishighAug 8th 2009 2:24AM
I plan to upgrade from Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit, which fortunately requires a clean install - which is what I wanted in the first place. Who doesn't want a chance to sweep out the garbage?
ManAug 7th 2009 7:17PM
I have always done in-place upgrades and never had an issue with this now twice upgraded 4+ years old laptop. (2 crashes one was McAfee's fault)
The clean install issue is sometimes useful but it's not a mythic answer to all problems is just another choice for the individual user.
The chart is very useful maybe I'll upgrade for a third time.
blogwardAug 8th 2009 3:56AM
@sax25. I believe the topic is upgrading to Windows 7, not what a great judge of coding you are. As an experienced Windows victim, a clean install is pretty routine to me now, and however stable and reliable W7 is, the upgrade path is something I would only try on a spare PC.
hazardAug 8th 2009 7:29AM
My 2 cents.
Don't wipe out your old OS - unless it's a Beta or RC.
I'd recommned in order of preference:
1. Get a new computer
2. Install onto an additional HDD.
3. Install into an additional partition
iphonerulezAug 9th 2009 6:39PM
Agreed that a clean install is the best way to go. Why the hell not. A nice fresh disk just waiting for new files. Fortunately, I enjoy doing clean installs of OSs of Windows and OSX and have terabytes of storage and spare harddrives littering my basement and don't really give a damn if something goes wrong since all my critical info and systems is backed up or cloned two or three times.
Unfortunately most of my non-tech acquaintances who have Windows PCs (Windows XP) are scared like hell of doing that sort of stuff and rarely do anything to upgrade their computers for fear that something will go wrong. Usually they've only got ONE big harddrive. Sure, I guess you'd say they were idiots, but that's how it is out there in the non-tech world.
So, good for you tech-nerds who have nothing better to do than to play with your computers to tell people that clean installs are fun and naturally the way to go. I'm not blaming Microsoft, I'm only saying that these people that have Windows XP should be able to take it to some Microsoft Store and have it done for them for free. Oh, that's right, there are no Microsoft Stores, yet. I'd heard there is a migration utility for Windows XP users to help them, but we'll see how that goes if it takes more than a dozen steps.
haroldbhofmann2Aug 12th 2009 11:08PM
Few thoughts:
First, I am extremely happy with Vista SP2 and really do not feel the need for 7.
Second, when you purchase a new PC, you are screwed by the manufacturer in concert with MS since you do not get the true OS.
Third, when you get into trouble you must reinstall using the full retail OS and not the recovery version supplied by the manufacturer, unless you want to start all over.
Fourth, you have to reinstall virtually all your software including that which came with the PC, but they may not be available (the "installation files").
Fifth, do not minimize this effort which includes myriad updates,etc. And what if you do not have broadband.
Sixth, why do you need to reinstall software when it is already on your system in the Windows.old folder! This is obviously deliberate MS strategy.
Seventh, why can you not upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit. Again this is obviously deliberate MS strategy. For example, I am stuck with the 32 bit Vista Ultimate version and can't upgrade without trashing everything?!
Eighth, why did not HP tell me this since the hardware is 64 bit and it came with 4 GB of Ram, all of which is not recognized.
Ninth, since I am, and would have been, "happy" to pay for the 64 bit (includes 32 bit) retail version of Ultimate (Vista and/or 7), why is this prevented by MS. Why cannot I simply install the 64 bit version and have the 32 bit version appear as Windows.old folder as before. Again this is obviously deliberate MS strategy.
Tenth, it seems obvious to me that MS and the manufacturers are counting on the ignorance of the general computer public and preying upon their "customers".
ChrisAug 26th 2009 3:01AM
Your post is seriously misinformed. There is no deliberate Microsoft conspiracy going on by not letting you upgrade from 32 bit to 64.
It has to do with the way the code is written. You simply cant. Stop whining about what you don't understand.
abob6Aug 13th 2009 7:28PM
I was wondering if, since i am not too good with complicated things on the computer, and i got a new laptop today, which came with a free in-place upgrade to windows 7 when it comes out, should i just go with in-place since there won't be too many things on my laptop yet?
T¤mMar 6th 2010 5:20PM
I have a PC with both XP Pro - SP3 (32b) and Vista Ultimate (64b) as a dual boot.
How can this be upgraded to W7 please?