Windows 7: Want to avoid Upgrade problems from Vista Bus

Vista Bus headaches. Going with 7 Pro. So, bought OEM ver. Is this OK?

1 should I try upgrade first? so i can avoid SW reinstalls..



2 or, if I have to do clean install, would a restore of a Windows Backup work for my data, or would my Carbonite restore grab everything? or just get it all from Windows\old ??

Thx in advance

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

1. I personally think that a clean install is better and less troublesome than an upgrade and it's quicker.

2. Once again, this is a personal view, but I wouldn't risk using Windows Backup in this instance. My advice would be to move all your personal data onto an external hard drive, and then decide a backup strategy when Windows 7 is up and running.

Your OEM version of Windows 7 Professional should be just fine. Have you run the Windows Upgrade Advisor to see if you are going to encounter any driver problems?

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=20

Thank you. Does clean Install make a Windows\old? this would sure make data restore quicker than Carbonite....

If you carry out a clean install without formatting your hard drive you may be left with a Windows.old folder, but I wouldn't guarantee it.

I stand by my previous advice that a backup of your personal data to an external hard drive is best, and by that I mean physically copying the data over so as to avoid any complications with Windows Backup and Backup Restore.

It's better to take a bit more time and preserve your precious data rather than rush the job and lose it. If you have a lot of data to move, let your computer do it overnight when you're asleep.

However, if you do finish up with a Windows.old folder, this tutorial explains how to remove it to regain hard drive space.

Windows.old Folder - Delete

If you want to try an in-place Upgrade first to see how it performs then here is an excellent guide from one of our most respected experts who has good experiences with Upgrade installs: A simple guide to a successful in-place upgrade - Windows 7 Forums

You cannot rely on in-place Upgrading or Windows.old as a backup method. Copy your files first to a DVD, External HD, another computer on the network, or to a partition you create at the end of the HD which you don't touch during clean install.

Then boot the Windows 7 DVD to clean reinstall following the illustrated Steps here: Clean Install Windows 7

If you want the best possible results, back your data up, do a clean install, and then restore your data. It's a simple process, since it is your computer, you know what is important.