Windows 7: Changing from xp to windows 7

I am planning on purchasing windows 7 64bit home edition for my custom rig which runs windows xp now.

To my knowledge i have to totally reformat xp to get a clean windows 7 install.
I plan on buying an usb flash drive to move some files from my old xp to the new windows 7.

Will this work? What can i do to avoid complications with doing this?
Is this my best/easiest option to do this?



I am just trying to make this as simple and easy as possible,will greatly appreciate your feedback! Thanks!

Sal from the Jersey shore

You can in fact leave the XP files on the USB stick and just include them into the library. All you do is click on the folder(s) > right click > say Include in Libraries. A context window will pop up where you can then choose the library to where you want to include it. Else, you can just copy the data back into the right library after creating a folder there.
PS: I am not sure whether 64bit is your best choice. That's the only Windows 7 version where I have seen people having a lot of problems (drivers for one). Any reason you need 64bit?

i dont really know the difference between 64bit and 32bit but i thought 64bit might have been better quality with the computer i have.

Hi sleon,

Looking at your system specs, it seems that you have only 2GB.

For any benefit of x64 bit, you need at least 4 GB. If you plan on upgrading the memory, then go to 64 bit, otherwise keep with 32.

Some older applications dont work with 64 bit, so for compatibility reasons, I personally prefer 32 bit. I have x64 on my hp tablet pc and have to use Windows XP mode to use a few of my ancient apps.


I guess it depends on what you use your computer for.

-Drew

Have you checked to make sure you can run 64-bit? Right click on My Computer and then click on Properties. It will tell you if you have a 32 or 64-bit system.

You'll get both DVD's when you buy retail, so try each and see.

But you'll probably need another 2gb of RAM to make 64 bit worth it.

You can keep your files on da stick until you decide.

Looks like the consensus is 32bit for your system. 64bit Windows 7 is not any better - who told you that? But it has restrictions.

Sal,

Not quite:

I'd go for 'Dual boot' with 32-bit Windows 7, keeping my paid-for XP in place, just in case...

Your System specs don't describe your HDDs...

You'd probably have to partition an HDD, then format the newly-made partition though...

Lots of anti-XP'ers will advise against this however...

I'd image the drive with Macrium Reflect Free and create a boot disk. Otherwise copy all important files to an external hard drive. A clean install is necessary for XP to 7, and since you have 2GB put in more RAM and go for x64.

Double booting is always a messy proposition. But maybe you should image your XP to an external disk - or if you have none, create a small 10GB seperate partition for it. Here is how: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/...e-macrium.html