Upgrading from XP

[gadianton]

Does anyone know if you can upgrade from XP to Windows 7? I've heard a lot about Vista but nothing about XP. I've tried to navigate the Microsoft website, but it is not exactly user friendly to me. Also, does upgrading keep all your existing files, or does it dump everything and start all over? AND does it keep the existing OS and write a new one or does it replace the old one? My sister, bless her soul, tried to upgrade my computer once and did it incorrectly. She upgraded 95 to XP and instead of replacing the existing OS, she loaded XP on top of it. It was a total mess. I do not want that to happen again. If anyone has any answers, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,

Capri

P.S. How many computers can you upgrade with the disc? I have three computers: one for work, a laptop for school, and one for the family. Will it upgrade all of them, or will I need to purchase separate software for that?

 

[richc46]

No you cannot upgrade, but you can do a clean install with an upgrade DVD.

You are allowed one install per DVD. If you uninstall you can install on another machnine.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7

 

[gadianton]

Wow, that stinks, but thanks for the information! I appreciate it! My work and school laptops both have Vista, so I know they won't be problems. I was just worried about the family computer which has XP. I guess I will just keep that one. I think I will let my work worry about buying the software for that computer then. Thanks for the information. You've helped me immensely!

Capri

 

[richc46]

Glad to help. Wish you all the best.

 

[Fantail]

richc46 would be correct, there is no upgrade from XP.
And even if there was I wouldn't do it. If your looking to install 7 on 3 pc's I think MS has a family or group licence available.

 

[richc46]

richc46 would be correct, there is no upgrade from XP.
And even if there was I wouldn't do it. If your looking to install 7 on 3 pc's I think MS has a family or group licence available.

Actually, we should always do a clean install and not an upgrade. Almost every member agrees with that.

 

[yowanvista]

You could upgrade from XP to Vista then to Win7

 

[richc46]

Dont do upgrades clean inst.. only

 

[CassieFWinTeam]

Hi Capri,

Yep, clean install only! Also, since you are running XP, I recommend running the Upgrade Advisor before proceeding. It will scan your computer and tell you what changes should be made (if any) before upgrading. Basically, it just makes sure your PC is ready to run Windows 7 to ensure a good installation experience.

Cheers,
Cassandra
Microsoft Windows Outreach

 

[Valor D]

Wow, that stinks, but thanks for the information! I appreciate it! My work and school laptops both have Vista, so I know they won't be problems. I was just worried about the family computer which has XP. I guess I will just keep that one. I think I will let my work worry about buying the software for that computer then. Thanks for the information. You've helped me immensely!

Capri

XP Pro with Service Pack 3, is, in my opinion, the best operating system which Microsoft ever made. Not only would it be a waste of time and effort to "upgrade", it would be a bad idea. Why? Because the hardware for XP was considerably less advanced than the hardware made for Vista + 7. Vista + 7 require much more memory and Ram to run properly than XP does, because they're considerably larger programs. Therefore, a machine which is made for XP will undoubtedly run slow with Vista or 7 on it.

And, yes, you would lose all your data if you tried to "upgrade", but that's what data/backup disks are for. Either burn your data to a disc or get a flashdrive. I bought a 16 GB flashdrive (which is about the size of a pack of gum) for about $40. at Staples last year. It's very convenient.

 

[Jonathan_King]

If you do a clean install on top of the existing installation, without formatting, the user data will be backed up automatically to a folder called Windows.old, located in the C drive.

 

[floralelephants]

I got a family pack where I could install Windows 7 on 3 different computers. See if you can find that. I wonder if that was only a limited time offer right when Windows 7 came out.

I had 2 Vista machines [desktop and laptop]. I did a clean install on my desktop and an upgrade on my laptop. I've had little trouble with 7 at all, but the machine that has given me more trouble was the desktop where I did the clean install... for what it's worth. But a clean install makes more sense because you are starting over and any kind of unknown bugs would be gone with the fresh install.

 

[skygodtj]

I'd like to know where you guys got the idea that you lose all your data came from doing a clean install of 7 from XP, but it's incorrect... I've done a number of clean installs, from XP to 7 HP, and unless you did a reformat of your drive, the folders that you had before are still in place! I had folders for iPod movies, music, pictures, and others, not in a user folder, that were still intact after I did "clean" installs from XP.

If you are moving from 32bit XP to 64bit 7, yeah, sure, changing the file format would -86 your data, but just a clean install from XP to 7 is not going to erase your drive and everything on it. i'm jus' sayin'...

 

[gadianton]

Thanks so much for the advice. I really appreciate your time.