Installing Windows 7 Pro Upgrade Over Vista

I will probably be installing my copy of Windows 7 Pro 64bit Upgrade soon. I was wondering if I can install it over Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit OEM with no issue. I have a few regarding this topic:

1) I understand I can install over Vista, but does it honestly work well? Or is there a high probability that something will get corrupted with the OS when simply installing over Vista?

2) If for whatever reason the upgrade gets botched and I still want to install Win 7, must I reinstall Vista OEM first, and then install Win 7 Upgrade?

3) When I install/upgrade Win 7 over Vista, I understand it will keep my files and folders. But what about programs? Will most of them really work just fine? Will it automatically remember which programs to run at start up ect.?

4) Anything else I should be aware of? Any advice?



I'd like to just install Win 7 from scratch, but I can never get the time to do this. I run many programs with custom installs and whatnot which would just be a huge pain to reset up... which is why I am looking at installing Win 7 over Vista.

Thanks in advance. :)

1) A: Yes, you can get a corrupted OS.

2) A: NO,
Clean Install Windows 7

3) & 4) A: YES,Check your PC with the Upgrade Advisor:
Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Thanks for the quick replies. I will check the upgrade advisor to make sure my peripherals work.


I have some additional questions:

5) When install Win 7, it will reinstall the most updated version of .NET Framework correct?

6) The last time I downloaded my .iso from Digital River was over a year ago. If I where to download a new .iso now would this come with SP1 and the rest of the updates preinstalled?

7) Assuming Win 7 installs over Vista fine, will the performance be equal to a clean install on Win 7?

5) Yes, but windows updates will still include security patches for it.

6) All varieties of iso's are available on the internet- with and without sp1. If you mean the digitalriver iso, that would be without sp1 and without post-sp1 hotfixes. FYI, MS does not release a new iso everytime a hotfix is issued. Only a service pack is accompanied by a new, integrated iso. Even a clean sp1-integrated iso on the internet would be without later hotfixes unless you look at torrent sites which have so called "updated" iso's.

7) Yes, more or less, though upgrades can go bad occasionally. In modern machines, with huge hard drives and memory, an upgrade should work well. But clean installing is equally easy, you just need to backup user data first. Personally, I would advise a clean install over an upgrade.

Again thanks for the quick reply. I will check and see if Digital River has an iso with SP1 installed then as that might save me sometime when updating.

I run Crap Cleaner and its Registry Cleaner very frequently. I would imagine that this would clean up most of the "OS Residue" correct?

I am sure I will have some more questions later, and will post them when I get a chance. And if anyone else wants to give their personal experience on how their upgrade over Vista went I would be pleased to hear it.

The problem with in-place Upgrades can be corrupt settings which are reimported. Win7 installer will only winnow out ones which conflict with the OS, not ones which are otherwise corrupt or undesireable.

This is why a Repair Install (upgrade over itself) of Win7 sometimes cannot fix issues even though a complete reinstall of the OS is done while keeping programs, files and settings in place.

You are on the right course and asking the right questions, however. Do the in-place Upgrade after checking with Win7 Upgrade Advisor. If performance isn't perfectly instantaneous with no hangs then consider clean Reinstalling Windows 7.

I have another question. Will installing Win 7 over Vista carry over any .NET Framework issues that Vista might have? I believe I my .NET frame work is a bit messed up in Vista... so I am hoping this is not a problem?

gregrocker said:

The problem with in-place Upgrades can be corrupt settings which are reimported. Win7 installer will only winnow out ones which conflict with the OS, not ones which are otherwise corrupt or undesireable.

This is why a Repair Install (upgrade over itself) of Win7 sometimes cannot fix issues even though a complete reinstall of the OS is done while keeping programs, files and settings in place.

You are on the right course and asking the right questions, however. Do the in-place Upgrade after checking with Win7 Upgrade Advisor. If performance isn't perfectly instantaneous with no hangs then consider clean Reinstalling Windows 7.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version