is it better to just upgrade from Vista to Windows 7?

zigzag3143 said:

Ok lets look at this another way clean=formated partition nothing left.
Upgrade means old OS (vista) is imported into windows with your setting and preference.

With a clean install you dont move files or burn files from vista they are thrown away. GONE. here is a link to the tutorial section look under whatever letter you want but you should start learning this stuff.

So now you have it? either upgrade vista to win 7, or just install win 7 and delete the vista files.
Ken

ok, i get it.

Take a look at this link, it describes the process with the upgrade media
http://community.winsupersite.com/bl...k-exactly.aspx

I was wrong, you don't insert the cd anymore...the actual OS that you are coming from HAS to be installed on the disk already....which you already have with Vista already being preloaded on your machine.

wow, what a coincidence! I just got through reading that article a few minutes ago!

anyway, now that I understand how the whole clean install process works with an upgrade disk, let's talk back-up. ok, so I know I can use an external hard drive to back-up stuff, and I'm sure I could use a thumb drive also. so, can I back up my browser data, my apps (i.e. microsoft office), and all that other stuff?

Wii Master 64 said:

let's talk back-up. ok, so I know I can use an external hard drive to back-up stuff, and I'm sure I could use a thumb drive also.

Yes, you can use a thumbdrive, external hard drive or burn the data to DVD's. You could copy them across a network to another PC. You could FTP them to a server somewhere. As long as you have a second copy, you are all set.

Wii Master 64 said:

my apps (i.e. microsoft office), and all that other stuff?

You don't back up applications. You simply reinstall them once the new operating system is up and running.

how do you do that? re-download them? or does it ask you if you want to reinstall them?

Wii Master 64 said:

how do you do that? re-download them? or does it ask you if you want to reinstall them?

Well, in the case of applications like Microsoft Office.....a legitimate user of the software usually has a cd/dvd with setup.exe on it. So, you put the cd into the drive and run setup.

If they are applications like Firefox, iTunes, Yahoo Messenger and so forth...since they are provided for free and can be freely downloaded, you just go to the websites and download them and run their installers.

It will not ask if you want to install them. When you do a clean install, it knows nothing about what you had installed....it only cares that Windows was there and was previously activated and legitimate.

ok. dang, that means i have to download all those firefox add-ons all over again! i got the glasser running to where the URL bar doesn't look funny anymore. but oh well, just a small set back.

Yes, you will have to redownload and reconfigure that stuff. It can be a pain, but many are surprised by how fast their computers are again after a clean install. Just think about the variety of programs you have downloaded, tried and didn't really find that you ever used. But unfortunately they are likely still there, they are still in your registry and can potentially be slowing down your computer.

Once you get Windows 7 installed and running, I'd suggest going into the backup tool within Windows and making a "system image". With the image, if you ever have a crash or need to jump back, you can simply boot from the Windows install disc, point it at the location of your "system image" (either DVD's, flash drives, or external hard drives) and the system can put your machine back exactly how it was when you first imaged it. It's very slick, easy to use and I've used it many times myself already.

Good luck in your endeavors. I've got to get to bed.

ok, thanks!