Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional???

[mogibb1]

My laptop has Windows Visa Home Premium installed and I need to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. What path can I take to upgrade it without losing my settings (i.e. user acccounts, background, etc.)

 

[richc46]

Type windows easy tranfer in search and use that to transfer all but programs to a finger drive or hard drive etc. Then transfer back.
Do a clean install not an upgrade.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[2]=General Tips

 

[mogibb1]

Ok, so I will do the Windows Easy Transfer to an external drive, wipe drive C: (Windows Vista), install Windows 7 and then use the WIndows Easy Transfer to put my accounts and settings into Win 7. Is this correct?

 

[richc46]

That is how it worked for me. May I suggest that you back up all your documents, however. You do not want to chance losing anything with the transfer.
You may also want to test first. Make another account, tranfer out of the old and into the new.

 

[mogibb1]

Yes, I will back it up. I just wasn't sure if Windows 7 would accept user settings from Windows Vista via the Windows Easy Transfer because of them being different OS's.

 

[richc46]

Actually, that is what it is for. In an attempt to get people to by 7, they made an easy way to transfer. To reassure a bit more, I actually did it myself. I had Vista for a year, did a clean install with 7 and then did the easy transfer. Worked a like a charm. Favororites, desktop, settings, documents. Everything but programs, which you must reinstall.

 

[mogibb1]

Thanks for your help.

 

[richc46]

You are very welcome.

 

[gregrocker]

The method which MS wants us to use to upgrade within Win7 is Anytime Upgrade, which unlocks the hidden features in the higher version while not touching anything else in your present Win7.

Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade PC Easily Add More Features Keep Files

If you already have a Professional retail Upgrade or full version key, you can also insert it into Anytime Upgrade utility instead of the Anytime key.