Windows 7: Proper way to upgrade? Fresh install or live?

I just got Windows 7 7232 x64 VHD to iso. I'm currently running 7201 x64 and wondering the best practices for a seamless upgrade?



is it best to fresh install (my preference) but since this is a beta not sure if its worth it.

If I go with an inline upgrade whats the best way to make sure drivers and installed apps are not "hosed" or cause problems?

I would go for a clean install every time. You can always create a new partition and install it on that if you don't want to cause problems with your existing installation.

An upgrade installation should work without issues if you haven't done anything to the original install (I tested this from Vista to Windows 7 beta).

Then I tried to upgrade a Vista installation to the Windows 7 beta - and was I ever sorry!

So, in short, the upgrade isn't a good way to preserve your older stuff. I suspect that this is because your apps weren't designed with the upgrade process in mind. Also, any small quirks that may be present in the old OS, may end up being a major deal in the new OS

FWIW - I upgraded the wife's computer from XP to Vista a couple of years ago with the F.A.S.T. tool. We still have issues with the cursor flashing a CD loading icon once a second.

Go with a fresh install every time - it's not worth the pain of an upgrade that has issues.

I've never had any issues with upgrading, and I've upgraded from most of the builds I've been on to newer ones. The only times I haven't upgraded was when I went from Vista to 7000 and when I started using x64 builds.

Upgrading is pretty pain-free. Though sometimes it takes 2 hours backing up files...