Vista x64 upgrading to Windows 7, few questions!

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  1. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #1

    Vista x64 upgrading to Windows 7, few questions!


    My brother just bought a windows 7 ultimate x64 from a near by retail store and he wanted to upgrade his currently installed vista x64. So the problem is that he wanted to install windows 7 by formatting the HD without needing to backup/delete his documents, videos, movies, music. It will be highly appreciated if some one can help out with the situation!!

    Thank you
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    Ufokrazy said:
    My brother just bought a windows 7 ultimate x64 from a near by retail store and he wanted to upgrade his currently installed vista x64. So the problem is that he wanted to install windows 7 by formatting the HD without needing to backup/delete his documents, videos, movies, music. It will be highly appreciated if some one can help out with the situation!!

    Thank you

    Hi and welcome

    so he wants to format and not back up data. Does he not want the data, or does not want back it up?

    Ken J+
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    Always backup any needed files before doing any upgrade, install or reinstall.

    In order to format the HD before install, you need to boot from the Win7 DVD, select "Connect to internet during install" to get latest drivers/updates, then Custom install, then Advanced drive tools to Format the drive before install.

    None of your files will be saved with a format install. Back them up first to an external drive. You will also have to reinstall programs, so gather those installers/disks first.

    You can do a custom clean install by running the DVD from Vista which will save files in a windows.old folder for later retrieval, however you will not be given the option to format which is available when booting from the DVD. Plus installs can fail, so you always need to back up files.
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  4. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #4

    You have three possibilities:
    1. Custom (clean) install, not transferring personal files
    2. Custom (clean) install, transferring personal files
    3. In-place upgrade, keeping personal files and installed software


    Method 1 is the easiest. Just boot with 7 DVD, choose custom install formatting the HD. Everything is lost, all the pics and music etc.

    Method 2 is the recommended one. A clean install does not keep the installed software, you have to reinstall everything. Move your personal files and settings from Vista to Seven using Windows Easy Transfer.

    Method 3 let's you keep all installed software and the personal files. Read more about in-place upgrade here.

    Kari
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for the reply guys......but the problem is that, my friend don't have any spare HD to backup his data in order to do a fresh clean installation. So is it ok that he make a new partition and backup data in that partition and install windows 7??
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  6. Posts : 428
    Windows Seven x64
       #6

    Ufokrazy said:
    Thanks for the reply guys......but the problem is that, my friend don't have any spare HD to backup his data in order to do a fresh clean installation. So is it ok that he make a new partition and backup data in that partition and install windows 7??
    I want to say yes..

    As long as he does not format the entire hard drive..but just the parition..that Windows Vista is installed on to..it should work.

    But like the other posts above I do highly recommend him to backup his data on another external hard drive or USB drive at least the important things..

    Hope this Helps..and Happy Holidays..
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  7. Posts : 225
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
       #7

    Sometimes I don't think you need to back-up. Windows 7 should make a folder named Windows.old on your HDD.
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  8.    #8

    I would not trust the windows.old folder to back up my files. Yes, it is supposed to put all of the files of the old OS in a windows.old folder when you run the DVD from the old OS, however any install operation is risky.

    You would be better off to use Disk Management to create and format a logical data partition at the end of your HD, label it DATA clearly, move copies of your files there, double check that they are all there.

    Then boot from the Win7 DVD, select Custom install, on the drive map screen doublecheck that you are selecting the old Vista partition to format over and NOT the new DATA partition. Do not touch the new DATA partition, and as long as you don't touch it with the installer by deleting or formatting, it will not go away.

    Now once you have confirmed again that the partition you have highlighted is the old Vista and NOT the DATA partition, go ahead and format it to get the cleanest possible install. Afterwards you will have your data all preserved in the new DATA partition you made.

    This is less risky than doing an in-place Upgrade which is an inferior install and which can fail with loss of data.

    Also, keep your ethernet plugged and select at the beginning when you boot the DVD to "connect to the internet" to get the latest drivers/Updates into the installer, check Windows updates after startup for newer drivers, then check your device manager to see if any are missing.

    You can backup your Vista windows/system32/drivers and /driverstore files to your new DATA partition from Vista when you are copying your data, so you can afterwards browse there from the Device Manager to find any missing drivers.

    Other drivers and apps will be available on your manufacturer's Support Downloads page for your model.
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  9. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #9

    gregrocker said:
    I would not trust the windows.old folder to back up my files. Yes, it is supposed to put all of the files of the old OS in a windows.old folder when you run the DVD from the old OS, however any install operation is risky.
    Very important point, can not be told often enough.

    Kari
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 96
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #10

    Do i need to do a Windows Update
    (ser pack 1 & 2, etc )
    before installing Windows 7 Ultimate ?
      My Computer


 
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