How do I transfer files

[Snufffed]

I am in a mess.
1. 1st my Vista is Ultimate.
2. 2nd my Win 7 is Ultimate.

How do I upgrade backwards and still save all my files and such.
or do i simply bite the bullet and buy Win 7 Ultimate.

There is NO WAY I can afford to FORMAT and loose all the files involved.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Uber Philf]

I don't know if i fully understand, but, ill say it anyway, make a new partition big enough to hold all you important files, format?

I dont think its possible to downgrade from windows 7.

 

[sup3rsprt]

upgrade backwards? You mean go from Windows 7 back to Windows Vista?

Well, there are a few options but they will require a clean install (not necessarily format). When you install Windows Vista or Windows 7 onto a drive that already has Vista or 7 on it, it will rename the old directories to Windows.old. So, you shouldn't lose any data but backup is always a good idea just in case.

 

[Snufffed]

upgrade backwards? You mean go from Windows 7 back to Windows Vista?

Well, there are a few options but they will require a clean install (not necessarily format). When you install Windows Vista or Windows 7 onto a drive that already has Vista or 7 on it, it will rename the old directories to Windows.old. So, you shouldn't lose any data but backup is always a good idea just in case.

I have full backup of my System both Vista SP2 and Win7 7260-RTM. That is not the problem. I can afford the $50. Home Premium and maybe the $99 Win7 Pro. but how do I save and move all my files loaded into Vista or Win7 to the new lesser version.
I started with Win95, upgraded to Win98, then XP, Vista Ultimate.
I can not afford the $199.00 Win7 Ultimate upgrade at this time..
short and sweet - I'm 66 , cancer, fixed income etc etc etc.
I need a solution to transfer all the files and such from Vista SP2 to Win7 Home Premium or Professional. or is there away. of do i bite the bullet and save until..
Thanks

 

[sup3rsprt]

I would imagine you could move your files and settings over to the new version using Windows Easy Transfer.

 

[grouchpunk08]

I have full backup of my System both Vista SP2 and Win7 7260-RTM. That is not the problem. I can afford the $50. Home Premium and maybe the $99 Win7 Pro. but how do I save and move all my files loaded into Vista or Win7 to the new lesser version.
I started with Win95, upgraded to Win98, then XP, Vista Ultimate.
I can not afford the $199.00 Win7 Ultimate upgrade at this time..
short and sweet - I'm 66 , cancer, fixed income etc etc etc.
I need a solution to transfer all the files and such from Vista SP2 to Win7 Home Premium or Professional. or is there away. of do i bite the bullet and save until..
Thanks

I'm not exactly sure the level restrictions on upgrading 7RC, but someone called MS and said that you could upgrade the RC to the retail. I would *assume* there wouldn't be level restrictions on upgrades for 7rc to 7 retail, being that all the RC's are ultiamate. Not sure if this helps you in your case tho, but take what you will from it.

 

[sup3rsprt]

even if you could upgrade from RC to RTM (which I doubt it will allow), you probably can't downgrade from Ultimate to Home Premium. That is the real issue I think Snuffy is facing here.

 

[grouchpunk08]

What types of files are you talking about? do mean simply saved documents and setup files? or do you want to transfer already installed programs? Cuz if you wanna transfer fully installed programs, as in have those programs already installed once you finish the upgrade, an in-place-upgrade would really be the only option...

 

[XGUNTHERC]

back up all ur data, do a clean install when Windows 7 is finally released. After clean install add all ur data back. or is that what your NOT wanting to do. I have everything on an external drive, and I have just been formatting and doing clean installs and adding everything back each time I change builds, and I'll do a clean install again with the main release

 

[DJG]

I think what we need from Snuffy is a detailed description of the files he wants to transfer. He probably wants to include application settings and related data, which is more complicated, and I believe that's what Windows Easy Transfer does. I'm actually doing a run to see how well it works.

What it's done is analyze my user account and the Windows environment, seeing what apps are installed, and will transfer app settings and any stuff associated with the selected accounts to a file which will then be imported into the target Windows environment.

I'm going to create a new Win7 install and do a transfer. I'll let you know how it fares.

 

[grouchpunk08]

I think what we need from Snuffy is a detailed description of the files he wants to transfer. He probably wants to include application settings and related data, which is more complicated, and I believe that's what Windows Easy Transfer does. I'm actually doing a run to see how well it works.

What it's done is analyze my user account and the Windows environment, seeing what apps are installed, and will transfer app settings and any stuff associated with the selected accounts to a file which will then be imported into the target Windows environment.

I'm going to create a new Win7 install and do a transfer. I'll let you know how it fares.

Yeah, a test like that would be useful confirmation.

 

[DJG]

I decided to download the x86 7260 build and do an x64 to x86 transfer and see how that works out.

Oooh! The torrent just picked up to +200KBs .

 

[DJG]

Well, the bad news is you can't use WET to transfer across x86-x64 systems, they need to be the same either x86 or x64.

The good news if you can use it is it lets you add pretty much any folder hierarchy to the transfer file it creates, which BTW seems to be pretty efficient in creating. It took about 9 minutes to create a 14GB transfer file in my environment.

 

[Snufffed]

Yeah, a test like that would be useful confirmation.

With the info previously posted, and also a search of Technet MS. I have found several (methods) almost the same or very simular, that Im 95% sure I will be able to transfer the files and data needed. Yes, all info is x86.
I also have method to use a External HD. save the info. and also to transfer back.

Basically I think the described methods are 100% the same - main difference is how other folks say the same thing only differently.
sample: is the glass is half full, No it is half empty. the same thing only different.

AGAIN THANKS. for all the great info.

 

[TheOne]

If I am reading the info correctly, you can upgrade from any version of Vista to any version of Windows 7 commerical when released. However, Windows 7 RC cannot be upgraded period. A new install is required.

 

[Orbital Shark]

If I am reading the info correctly, you can upgrade from any version of Vista to any version of Windows 7 commerical when released. However, Windows 7 RC cannot be upgraded period. A new install is required.

Hi TheOne, welcome to the forums.

That's not exactly correct

Microsoft have posted information on how to upgrade from 7000 BETA to 7100 RC but the process works for 7100 to newer builds.

It's a case of searching for 'Windows 7 upgrade 7000 7100' or similar

 

[TheOne]

I was referring to upgrading from any pre-release version to the final release. Are you telling me that you will be able to upgrade Windows 7 RC to the commerical release?