Clean Installs and existing software

[trickadee]

I have XP and want to upgrade to Windows 7. I know I have to do a clean install- but that means I have to install all my software from scratch again, right?
That's going to take me days! Mostly because installation disks for a lot of my software is a thing of the past.
Almost all my software has been downloaded from the net and is either free or activated with product keys- think of the gigs- my monthly dowload limit will be used in 2 hours! And where are those product keys? I'll have to find them!
So Firefox, iTunes, Quicktime, MSN, Skype, McAffee, Adobe reader, flash player, etc... all need to be downloaded again and installed again- is this correct? If so, I won't upgrade- it's not worth it.
Any suggestions anyone?

 

[electrotune1200]

I don't think you'll regret upgrading to windows 7. It's well worth the sometimes daunting task of re installs. Just reinstall everything as you need it. Some today, some tomorrow, some next week. Keep all your downloaded drivers, and software on a USB flash drive, or disc for future use if needed. Keep in mind, Windows updates takes care of a good bit of drivers already.

When you get everything installed, make an image backup of your system on an external hard drive or a set of DVD's. This way whenever you do need to reinstall 7 again, a restore from image procedure will have you up and running again in 10 minutes.

I hope this in some way persuades you to take that leap. It will be well worth it in the end.

 

[gregrocker]

Use Belarc Advisor to audit all of the software keys off of your HD. It also provides a full hardware and software audit you can print out.

Download the necessary installers from the Support Downloads webpage for the maker, or by Googling name of device/software.