It’s all about moving Windows these days !
Microsoft ‘forgot’ helping the majority of the existing Windows XP users to move to Windows 7. Auto upgrade from XP to 7 is simply not possible. We can understand it as the sole purpose of this windows refresh is to sell new PCs. But if you don’t need or want to open again the wallet, here are the few steps you need to follow for a smooth upgrade.
1 – Compatibility Check.
Use the official compatibility tool to figure out if your hardware will accept 7 with no major issue. The tool is called Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
2 – Prepare the Clean Install.
A clean install means that you will need to backup all your personal data (docs, images, videos, mp3s etc), fully install Windows 7 from scratch, re-install all your software, and copy back your saved data.
3 – Backup Your Data.
The new install will in any case create a directory in your C: drive called ‘Windows.old’ with all your previous data. But this shouldn’t make you skip another backup of you files, just in case. Your files are a lot more valuable than all your hardware.
To help you with the backup task, the best solution is to use a tool also provided by Microsoft called Windows NT Backup – Restore Utility. That way you’ll avoid bad trips from extra software/shareware.
As an alternative solution, you can use the Windows 7 Easy Transfer tool available in the Windows 7 Instal DVD, or here. This one needs to be used before the install to backup, and after the install to restore your data.
And by the way, backing up data means do not forget your precious bookmarks, or e-mails if you’re using an e-mail client, and of course the libraries of some player like iTunes !
Also don’t use the Windows Xp built-in backup tool as it’s backups are not compatible with Windows 7 !
To finish with backup, remeber the basics : backup to an external support (DVD, hard drive), if something goes wrong with your PC partitions, you’ll still have your data ! ;-)
4 – Which Edition of Windows 7?
If you run olds apps in your actual Windows XP, chances are that some of them won’t simply run under 7, or run with news special strange behavior. If you really need them for let’s say run your business, you’ll better go with the Pro, or Ultimate editions of Windows 7 as they include the Windows XP virtual machine. This feature is nothing more than a Windows XP available within Windows 7 to solve major compatibility issues.
But of course, to be sure, you will need to check that your existing processor can technically afford it (virtualization). AMD has a tool to figure that. Intel helps you identify your processor capabilities here.
5 – Netbooks : Install Windows 7 from a USB key.
If you have a netbook but no external DVD player, there’s still the solution to install Windows 7 from a USB key. But of course, you have to first copy your Windows 7 files into the USB key. Doing it by simple paste and copy won’t make the USB key bootable from the BIOS of your netbook, so it won’t help.
Fortunately, there is a very nice piece of software called WinToFlash that can do the job for you in minutes. It runs like a wizzard to copy your Windows 7 files and make the USB key bootable. despite in Beta, it already works like a charm, and for free.
- So what ?
You’re now ready to upgrade with minimum risks from XP to 7 !
Depending on the amount of data to backup, the all process should take you from 2 to 4 hours of time, so do it when you can pay attention to it.
Enjoy ! :-)
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