Advice needed on upgrading to Windows 10 Home.

[graywoulf]

With consideration to the problems I am having with Win 7 HP, and after all of the helpful suggestions on my other threads, I am considering upgrading to Win 10 Home on my Dell Inspiron 17 laptop. I am sure that the laptop can handle this upgrade but I have a question or two about doing this.

I just did a complete backup using the Windows backup utility and I have read that I can install Win 10 and be able to do a restore from Win 7. I would like someone to confirm this if possible.

I also would like to know if the backup does contain all of my files including all documents, pictures, folders and programs or is it just a system image? The backup used almost 850 gigs of my WD Passport 1T portable drive. At least that is my assessment. Windows Explorer reports that there is 83.6 GB left of 931 GB of the storage space available.

I know that this copy of Win 7 HP SP1 was installed in 2013 so I figure that now that Microsoft no longer supports Win 7 and I could not download the ISO files that I needed to repair my original Win 7 OS factory installation that it is time to move forward. I'm honestly not looking forward to this as I cannot possibly imagine that this is going to be easy.

Any and all advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Bree]

With consideration to the problems I am having with Win 7 HP, and after all of the helpful suggestions on my other threads, I am considering upgrading to Win 10 Home on my Dell Inspiron 17 laptop. I am sure that the laptop can handle this upgrade but I have a question or two about doing this.

I just did a complete backup using the Windows backup utility and I have read that I can install Win 10 and be able to do a restore from Win 7. I would like someone to confirm this if possible.

I also would like to know if the backup does contain all of my files including all documents, pictures, folders and programs or is it just a system image? The backup used almost 850 gigs of my WD Passport 1T portable drive. At least that is my assessment. Windows Explorer reports that there is 83.6 GB left of 931 GB of the storage space available.

Depending on the option(s) you chose, Backup & Restore can just back up you user files, back up user files and include a system image, or just make a system image. Which did you select? If you made a system image then you should also have made a recovery CD/DVD when offered at the end of making the system image. You can boot from this recovery disk to restore the system image.

If you chose to back up files then Backup & Restore creates a backup set containing your user files in a folder on your external drive that has the same name as your PC. This will hold all your user files and photos, but not your programs. Windows 10 includes 'Backup & Restore (Windows 7)' which can restore your user files from the backup set.


If you have created a system image there will also be be a folder named WindowsImageBackup. A system image includes everything from your PC, the Windows OS, your programs and your user files. But it is not possible (or at least, not easy) to recover individual files from a system image.

I'm honestly not looking forward to this as I cannot possibly imagine that this is going to be easy.

Any and all advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

It's easier than you think, you can upgrade your Windows 7 to Windows 10 and retain your user accounts, passwords, user files and installed software. You have sensibly made a backup before starting, but you are unlikely to need it. All your files should still be there after the upgrade. See:

Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for Free | Tutorials

One sensible precaution would be to uninstall any 3rd-party AV before starting. Windows 10 has its own Windows Security AV built in, so you shouldn't need any other AV.

 

[Snick]

I also would like to know if the backup does contain all of my files including all documents, pictures, folders and programs or is it just a system image? The backup used almost 850 gigs of my WD Passport 1T portable drive. At least that is my assessment. Windows Explorer reports that there is 83.6 GB left of 931 GB of the storage space available.

I know that this copy of Win 7 HP SP1 was installed in 2013 so I figure that now that Microsoft no longer supports Win 7 and I could not download the ISO files that I needed to repair my original Win 7 OS factory installation that it is time to move forward. I'm honestly not looking forward to this as I cannot possibly imagine that this is going to be easy.

Any and all advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

Did you perform a full system Image? The 850 GB is most likely a full image. Mount/open the backup and look! What did you do the backup with? Hopefully not Microsoft backup!

Read my last few posts on the other thread you started that I continue to respond to. I don't give up on computer issues easily!

 

[Snick]

I know that this copy of Win 7 HP SP1 was installed in 2013 so I figure that now that Microsoft no longer supports Win 7 and I could not download the ISO files that I needed to repair my original Win 7 OS factory installation that it is time to move forward.

Wrong, that is why Microsoft has made it very very difficult to get a Win7 ISO, they want you to upgrade to Win10. As I stated I can help you with TeamViewer for a few minutes, depending on your download speeds!
Snick

 

[Snick]

Western Digital is not one of my recommended drives! Too many failures!
SevenForums recommends AOMEI Backupper Free or Macrium Reflect Free as your backup software. I prefer to recommend AOMEI, it is a little more user friendly. They both have the same basic backup functions.
AOMEI had a pro key giveaway but I believe that expired Jan 15th or so.

 

[graywoulf]

Thank you kindly for your advice. As I have amassed a ton of files over the years, I still have 57 GB of HD space left which is not enough to make a new partition for Win 10 and have enough space in that partition to move my files. I still however have 83 GB left on my external drive so I can copy or move them to it before I wipe the drive and do a fresh install of Win 10.

I have found a seller on eBay that is selling a brand new OEM copy of Win 10 Home on a disc that he guarantees to be the genuine article. Even though I don't usually consider buying such items there, I don't have much choice at this time financially speaking. The pictures and description looks good and the package does have the holographic sticker on it.

My past experience with Windows started at 3.1 and has progressed from there which tells me that I should do a clean install. I know that I am going to have to re-install a lot of software because of the difference with the registry files so I am good with that.

As far as the backup that I did, I did include the system image but I don't guess that it really matters. It looks like I need to clean out the WD Passport and use it to back up everything else I want to keep and then make a list of all of the programs I have so that I can re-install them after I install Win 10. I overlooked doing that backup as administrator and my Avast antivirus was active as well. And for some reason, one of the backup files has an extension to it that is associated with a graphics program I use. My recovery disc also has a file with that same extension so it is useless. I also could not get my laptop to bootup to the bootup option screen. I tried tapping F8 as well as hitting the F12 key as shown during backup. I think my Windows 7 OS is a mess.

 

[graywoulf]

Western Digital is not one of my recommended drives! Too many failures!
SevenForums recommends AOMEI Backupper Free or Macrium Reflect Free as your backup software. I prefer to recommend AOMEI, it is a little more user friendly. They both have the same basic backup functions.
AOMEI had a pro key giveaway but I believe that expired Jan 15th or so.

Unfortunately, I did use Windows Backup. The backup software that came with the Passport really sucked. I will look into the AOMEI Backupper and thanks for the tip. Good to know you are here and believe me when I say that you are very much appreciated!!!

 

[Snick]

I have found a seller on eBay that is selling a brand new OEM copy of Win 10 Home on a disc that he guarantees to be the genuine article. Even though I don't usually consider buying such items there, I don't have much choice at this time financially speaking. The pictures and description looks good and the package does have the holographic sticker on it.

Why? You can still upgrade to Win 10 home for free right now. Your current valid key transfers!!!
Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File) - Microsoft

To keep your computer secure you can still update Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free, see our Tutorial at Ten Forums for instructions

 

[graywoulf]

OK, I clicked on the link you provided and I see this "To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10". Does this mean that I have to purchase a license or will it let me use my current product code?

 

[Snick]

Your current valid 25 character key if needed, I ran the tool upgraded and didn't need my key for activation

Create Windows 10 installation media

To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10. You can then download and run the media creation tool. For more information on how to use the tool, see the instructions below.
Download tool now
If you need to, use your win7 25 character key
To obtain key run KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean
You want CD key from MJB not Product ID
I believe you can copy paste key

 

[graywoulf]

I have the Media Creation Tool downloaded. I guess I should wait for the backup to complete before I use the tool. And I have my key in a text file and written down.

 

[Snick]

Here is the choice screen, to make an ISO choose the second one.

 

[graywoulf]

I think that is where I got stuck this morning. When I tried to create an ISO file for Windows 7 I kept getting an error message. Seems that it would not let me make the ISO file due to having a factory installed OS and not an install from a disc.

 

[Snick]

I have the Media Creation Tool downloaded. I guess I should wait for the backup to complete before I use the tool. And I have my key in a text file and written down.

Here is the choice screen,

View attachment 411465

to make an ISO choose the second one. I created the ISO, opened it with 7zip to a folder on my desktop, then ran setup.exe from the folder.
How to Extract .ISO using 7-Zip (Easy Step by Step) - YouTube

Or wait for the backup and run option 1.
BTW before you backup your Win7 run this please and follow the prompts. Makes your image backup considerably smaller! It runs Microsoft's disk cleanup extended very low disk mode. You can the batch script with notepad to view the contents if you're interested.
View attachment Disk Cleanup Very-Low-Disk.zip

 

[Snick]

I think that is where I got stuck this morning. When I tried to create an ISO file for Windows 7 I kept getting an error message. Seems that it would not let me make the ISO file due to having a factory installed OS and not an install from a disc.

This is not windows 7 download, it is download for Windows 10, OEM rules don't apply! Your valid OEM key should automatically activate as it is registered with Microsoft now. Right! You have genuine M$ now, win 10 auto activates!

 

[Snick]

Yes I use YouTube instruction videos, you can run through it, start, pause playback till you're familiar with the process.

 

[Snick]

You'll be on here with us providing assistance after you finish here!

 

[graywoulf]

You'll be on here with us providing assistance after you finish here!

Thanks for making this much easier. As far as extracting the ISO files, I am very familiar with that process but will I need to burn it to a disc to use it? Forgive me if I am asking repeat questions. I am trying to keep up with you from both threads and it's a little like talking to two people at once.

So you will know, I am fairly well tech savvy and I do understand what is going on here for the most part. I am just trying to keep all of your instructions in the right order. Before we got started on this adventure, I thought it might be a good idea to back up some folders starting with my music. It is taking longer than I expected and I think I should let it finish before I start the disc backup. So bear with me until it finishes which should be soon.

 

[Snick]

When you extract the iso with 7zip to desktop folder you run it from there i.e. in place upgrade. Open the folder, navigate to setup.exe and click. Or you can run it directly from media creation tool, choice #1.
I run disk cleanup extended very low disk every time before I backup my computers, It saves time and disk space on my external hard drive. And before I repair install or upgrade. saves space as windows.old backup is created with either process & is slightly quicker too.
Disk Cleanup Very-Low-Disk.zip

 

[Snick]

If we stay on one thread it is easier for both of us.
I get notification burnout. LOL