Windows 7 Upgrade Guide: All Your Questions Answered
Posted 07/07/09 at 05:30:46 PM by Justin Kerr
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Which Version of Windows 7 is Right For Me?
Only you can decide on that one, but check out our handy Buyer’s Guide more information on which edition is right for you.
Here's an excerpt:
There are three Windows 7 editions that will be sold at retail in the US market:
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Home Premium
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Professional
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Ultimate
If you tried out Windows 7 in its public Beta or RC versions, you used a pre-release of the Ultimate edition, although it's possible to tweak the installation process to install other editions. So, what are the major "core" features of these editions of Windows 7?
According to Microsoft's "Which One Is Right for You?" page, here are the common features (many of which we will cover in current or upcoming Feature Focus articles):
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Improved GUI and desktop navigation
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Windows Search
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Internet Explorer 8
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HomeGroup (Windows 7-specific networking)
Microsoft's list leaves out some significant core features, though, including:
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32-bit and 64-bit editions provided in retail/upgrade versions
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Windows Aero desktop (with supported graphics cards and drivers)
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Improved wireless networking
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Improved network management for mixed Windows 7/Vista/XP networks
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Improved audio and video codec support
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Improved digital TV support
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Windows Backup for both files and system image
Conclusion – In Place Upgrade vs. Clean Start
Hopefully this guide provided you all the information you will need when it comes to selecting a Windows 7 upgrade edition, but assuming you have a version of Vista capable of doing an in-place upgrade, should you? The answer to this is complicated, but it really depends on the user. Maximum PC readers will probably want to do a clean install for their top performing machines, but what about friends and family? The danger of doing a clean install here is that files, settings, applications, and even customizations they forgot they made are easily wiped out, leaving you to support them.
The good news here is that the upgrade process, based on my testing, works exactly as you would expect. Sidebar gadgets will still be on the desktop, applications and browsers will retain their settings, start menu icons will still be present, etc. You will also find that documents, pictures, and music will be properly tagged, and moved to the appropriate location. The only personalization settings you lose are the desktop wallpaper, quick launch settings, and in some cases, the odd application may need to be re-installed.
All things considered, the in-place upgrade works fairly well, but make sure you know the history of the machine before you proceed. If it was upgraded from Windows 98, to ME, to XP, to Vista, and now 7, your pushing your luck. Are you planning on upgrading? If so let us know what your setup is.
Itunes integrity and fresh install
Submitted by robesaw on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 8:26pm
OK, so my second BURNING question:
I have nothing but continual problems with itunes with respect to missing files, duplicates, etc. I am worried that when I backup itunes and do a fresh install when upgrading from Vista to 7, I won't be able to safely restore my itunes data w/o problems.
Any idea how this has been successfully done? I wouldn't expect MS to help out too much in this respect.
Thanks in advance!!
Submitted by allfaltus on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 12:15am
I bought this laptop online in November that came with Windows XP Pro installed which is downgraded from Windows 7 professional. But the machine came with no media either for Xp or Windows7.
I wish to use windows 7 Pro on the machine. But where can I get the media from? How much does it cost in US?
Thanks,
http://store.microsoft.com/
Submitted by nekollx on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 9:03am
http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Windows-7/category/102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2060350368%201179212716&name=Professional
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by mdmcfadyen on Sat, 10/31/2009 - 9:11am
I did a clean install of Windows 7 Pro on my Dell T5400 dual Xeon processor workstation and had to actually remove 1 of the 2 processors to get windows 7 to install. Once the OS was up and running I tried putting the 2nd processor back in and Windows 7 still came up with an error of "multiple processors not supported".
After spending some time on the Microsoft forums I found out that it is one of the many bugs they are working on. So aside from having to live with only 1 processor the windows 7 experience has been good, although it is still a microsoft OS.
Submitted by ChucklesG on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 4:47pm
So my retail version of Windows 7 Professional Upgrade DVD arrived today - I insert it in my computer to upgrade from Vista 32bit Home Premium - can't upgrade from Premium to Win 7 Professional, can if I had bought Win 7 Ultimate... What a pain. Don't want to do a clean install that's why I bought Win 7 Professional 'UPGRADE'.
Submitted by darkgamerdave on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 4:07am
I have a 32 bit windows vista home premium OS and wish to upgrade to windows 7 home premium or ultimate 32 bit, is it possible to do the ultimateupgrade?, if not the home premium?
thanks in advance.
Submitted by JuliusKY on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:18pm
Just use the upgrade like you would to install right over the old system, you can boot from the disk and select custom and copy right over the old system and have a fresh clean install which is the best, or you can insert the disk after the system is running and do an upgrade.
Now if you want to do the upgrade on a new or clean HD the best way is to install W7 skip the product key you have 30 days for that. After you get to the windows screen just reboot leaving the disk in and do a custom install again this time it will recognize that an operating system is on the drive, let it continue up to the product key enter product key this time put the key in and continue and every thing will be like a new system.
The reason you don't enter the product key on the first install is it doesn't recognise a prevous system and when you enter the product key it gives you a faild warning. you can try entering the key on the first try you might get lucky, if not you can clear the key and continue the first istall to the windows screen then restart with the disk in the drive,the second time it will take the key. good luck. it worked for me.
JuliusKY
vista ultimate64bit and win 7 pro
Submitted by tuts69 on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 3:31am
tuts
hi i just wanna ask question, i have a vista ultimate 64 bits intalled on my system, now i recieved my pre order win 7 pro upgrade, now my question can installed this win 7 pro upgrade over vista ultimate? thanks
The unanswered question...
Submitted by DarkHelmet on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 11:52am
"How Does An Upgrade Edition “Clean Install” Differ From Retail Copies of Windows 7?"
Mentioned on Page 2 of the above article.
I'm holding out on purchasing my Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack until we finally get a definitive answer on how this process will work.
Windows 7 ships the day after tomorrow, so if anyone figures this out, please post it! Thanks. :)
-Helmet
Submitted by Mpire on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 4:20am
Actually...Following the trend of MS upgrades from Win95 and on... NO. You do not need to install Vista, XP, Win 2000 etc before doing a clean install of Win 7. All it will require you to do is verify you have a previous version of a OS.
Example: You have a clean hard drive and were previously running Win"x" If you boot to the Win 7 upgrade DVD, it will start the process, then prompt you to insert your previous version Windows disc. Once it spins up and verifies it, it will simply ask you to pop out the old disk, and re-insert your Win 7 upgrade disc and continue installing the actual full version.
So in actuallity its a full version on the upgrade, it just makes sure you already had a copy of windows before. And history will prove that upgrading from one OS to another NEVER works flawlessly. I will always do a clean and fresh install.
Submitted by DarkHelmet on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 4:32am
Yeah, I get all that, but since nobody has actually gone through the process with Windows 7 Upgrade media yet (because it isn't released yet), notbody *really* knows how the experience will go. If you read the above article, the XP to Vista upgrade experience did not work the way you are describing it, and was quite a pain in the ass until a workaround was found.
I prefer not to assume.
-Helmet
Submitted by DarkHelmet on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 4:58pm
MaxPC answered the question, as I was sure they would. It's a pretty piss poor solution, but that's Microsoft's fault, not MaxPC...
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_use_your_windows_7_upgrade_disk_fresh_pc?page=0%2C1
-Helmet
Cancel Subscription
Submitted by Galraedia on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 4:44pm
I'm seriously considering canceling my subscription with Max PC if they don't shut the hell up about Winblows 7. I'm sick of hearing about it over and over again. There are a lot of better operating systems out there, so why doesn't Max PC review them instead of mentioning Winblows 7 in every freaking edition? I feel like I'm reading a catalog instead of a magazine.
Submitted by ultrapuggy@gmail.com on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 6:56am
So, I just made this account because I noticed this comment. I had this urge to smack you in the face through the internet.
- You made your account on October 12, 2009...the same day as this comment. You then proceed to threaten to cancel said account... (So convincing, grow up)
- You post only 3 comments, all of which are on Windows 7 articles and are direct attacks to Windows 7 without any proof whatsoever.
- Points 1 and 2 are more than enough. Please cancel your 'subscription'.
Submitted by knelson276 on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 9:11am
Do you always feel the need to resort to vilence over something you don't agree with.
- He could have been referring to his magazine subscription. I’ve been reading maxpc for a very long time, since before they changed their name, it was originally called cdrom today and then boot. But only occasionally do I go to their web site or post.
- I don’t quite know it I would call that an attack on win 7. I too have gotten the feeling that I was reading articles prepared by Microsoft themselves. There’s a lack of a sense of objectivity, too many minor window dressing items being touted as reasons for upgrading. Many of these items seem far to mediocre to be worthy of praise from Maximum PC.
- While everyone is entitled to their opinion, its not always necessary to express it when its sole purpose is to bash on someone you don’t agree with, its neither productive or helpful.
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 8:31am
"The power of the Pimp Hand is strong with this one."
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by DarkHelmet on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 12:37pm
It's called Maximum "PC", you tool. And Windows runs on the majority of the world's PCs, which would also include the majority of Maximum PC readers, so why shouldn't they extensively cover it? If you they doing article after article about the latest Apple OS, I'd see your argument.
-Helmet
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 8:54am
you mean articles like...
http://www.maximumpc.com/linux
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_install_linux_risk_free_with_no_formatting_or_repartitioning_required
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Upgrade?
Submitted by AleceHelix on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 6:26pm
It seems to me that MS didn't take your advice about making a fewer amount of OSes after all. Pity.
Submitted by amacdizayn on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 4:56am
siemens servisi
ariston servisi thanx for guide
Submitted by brunost on Mon, 09/28/2009 - 4:40am
Hello.
If I buy a computer with Windows 7 Professional with the option to downgrade to Windows XP Professional 32-bit, when I decide to migrate my system to Windows 7, will I be able to install the 64-bit version? It is OEM.
Thanks!
Submitted by jcseely on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 8:31am
About how the upgrade validation from XP process will work? I can't seem to find an answer on the interwebs.
Will we simply need to insert our XP CD or enter our product license key? Or will they force us to reinstall XP every single time we want to do a clean install of 7?
Any official news on that?
Submitted by periodhyphenund... on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 11:21pm
7 DAY BAN for encouraging piracy.
Vista with Free upgrade
Submitted by efougner on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 7:20pm
Buyer beware. Sure, you can get vista for $109 with a free upgrade to Windows7....BUT IS JUST AN UPGRADE!. Also, just like the Vista OS, it is OEM. This means both the VISTA 0S and Windows 7 OS can be installed on only one computer PERIOD! Further more, every time you need to re-install the OS, you will have to install vista first and THEN upgrade to Windows 7. It is much better to buy the full retail version...if you can afford it. This way, the OS does not die with the computer and gives you a much shorter install time.
Submitted by Siggy28681 on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 9:35pm
I noticed that you can get vista for 109.99 on new egg with free w7 upgrade. Im sure the full version will be more than that. So is it better to spend the extra money on the full version or just buy vista with the upgrade? Yes this is going on a newly build cpu. thanks for your help.
Submitted by fn_tool on Thu, 08/20/2009 - 10:59am
Here's my scenario: This fall, I'll be upgrading my single current PC from XP to W7 using my $50 Upgrade as soon as it ships. Early next year, I'll be replacing MB, CPU, RAM & Video Card and (hopefully) I'll want to stay at W7. No Hard Drive upgrade with this round of new hardware.
I think that when I upgrade my hardware, I'll propably want to re-install W7, and I think I might have to start out from my Original XP-Pro CD, then re-do the Upgrade process. Since you mentioned the Inactivation of my current valid XP Product Code, I'm thinking I might not be able to install XP again as part of my hardware upgrade.
Then you mentioned the "Insert the XP CD", so now I'm not entirely clear. Sorry.
WIll I be able to first to my upgrade/clena install of W7, then several months later replace major components? ANy ideas on what my process might be?
Keep up hte excellent work!
Submitted by dennisb on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 11:03am
i bought vista 64bit home premium on july 10 and to find out that i do not qualify for the free upgrade. not only that but i paid more than what it is shown now. why is it that the vista was listed cheaper that includes it vs. the one i bought which is 30 dollars more.
Submitted by paulkalman on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 5:59pm
two things:
1. even though I carefully installed rc1 instructing it to make me a "windows.old" it did not.
2. I installed it and it gave me no choice as to version. I had hoped to have 'home professional" and got "ultimate".
I just saw in this article that when the sw released I will have to blow my setup with all my hand installed sw to put the "legal" version on. I am not at all worried about my data but, in the past, even though sw works with an upgrade it sometimes does not function when hard installed on a new build.
This is not really a very good solution. There really should be a good legal way to make the RC "released" without all of the headaches associted with a new build. this is no wy for microsoft to reward all of us beta / rc users hard work debugging their sw for them
Submitted by maple1985 on Tue, 07/28/2009 - 7:57pm
I have windows XP (OEM) that came with my laptop (bought in 2004).I am planning to buy a Mac and will need windows there using vmware. So I am wondering if I can buy windows 7 with upgrade option based on my XP copy?
Thanks for the help
Submitted by floridaman339 on Fri, 07/24/2009 - 12:58pm
Well, I did it - took the plunge. Installed as upgrade on Vista Home Premium laptop. Other than taking 5.5 hours and deleting some of my executables, it went pretty smooth. Sure wish it gave me my PAID versions of the HP sample games instead of deleting them and reinstalling the demo (expired) versions. But, I guess that's M$!
Windows 7 upgrade from Vista 64 bit
Submitted by jlamar on Tue, 08/04/2009 - 8:27pm
I just did the same.
Time: aprox. 3 hours
Compatibility: 90% (issues with BitDefender, Windows Mobile 6.1, SQL 2005, Creative 24-bit External Sound Card)
Improved performance: aprox. 256 MB less in RAM usage (Will report PCMark comparison at later date)
Other thoughts: Did not see the option for Windows 7 Home Premium, just got Ultimate.
Upgrade erased GRUB boot for Linux, no big deal though, easily fixed.
Very nice looking. Better graphics that Vista for sure.
Better layout and controls seem more intuitive.
Eager to see if I get improved performance over Vista that is noticable.
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." John Maxwell
Submitted by jlamar on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 9:10am
PCMark Vantage Vista Home Premium 64 bit: 4208
After in-place upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate: 4663
After trying to tweak some HP (Hewlett Packard) software, I got some insanely weird and irreversable issues. Had to go back to original OS.
Other Thoughts: I did a complete partition backup using EasyUS Disk Copy (Free) http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/
Restoring my old OS and programs was flawless after I broke Windows 7.
It was a nice test. I got to see what really worked and what didn't. With the backup, I'll also be ready to upgrade permanently after the RC is over. I may try it again and just not mess with any of the HP native software.
HP HDX18T 18.5" laptop; Intel T9400; Nvidia 9600M GT
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." John Maxwell
Submitted by nekollx on Fri, 07/24/2009 - 1:04pm
no that's HP, MS didn't make those games or make them part of Vista. So i has no way of knowing their demos or full
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by Stever on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 5:22am
I pre-ordered the Pro Upgrade for my Vista box, planning to do a clean install. MS had better offer the option of proving Vista ownership by inserting the disc or entering the key. I will be seriously pissed off if, down the road when I want to do a fresh reinstall of 7 Pro, I have to first reinstall Vista, update and activate. That's complete bull$hit.
If MS does force me to have Vista installed/updated/activated as proof of ownership, the only reason they'll do it is to cause me enough pain that I cancel my 7 Pro Upgrade pre-order and buy the full retail installer, and they'll probably succeed.
Submitted by Quitadamo06 on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 9:15am
I'm getting a copy on release and I'm pretty sure my system will handle an upgrade decently. I hope. What do you think? I've got a clean install of Vista x64 that's been on here for about a year.
System:
CPU: Q6600
DFI Lanparty board
Nvidia 9800gtx video card
6gigs of ddr2 800 dram
Submitted by internetReklam on Wed, 07/15/2009 - 7:05am
Submitted by grandduke on Mon, 07/13/2009 - 11:18pm
Great article, but I think I'm missing the obvious.
I run an OEM version of Windows Vista premium. I haveno OEM CD's, back up cd's, restore cd's, passkeys, nothing (I know, I'm horrible, I was ignorant in the past).
What I'm trying to figure out is if Window 7 upgrade is theproduct for me. I like the cheaper price tag but here are my concerns.
Since I have no cd copy of Vista and or product key can I upgradeto Windows 7?
Should I just bite the bullet and purchase a full version ofWindows 7?
I'm not concerned at all about multiple installs, I don't care toever go back to vista, or anything like that.
My only other concern is, once Iinstall Windows 7, and for whatever reason I need to reinstall the OS, can I doit?
So, my questions additional are, with no cd or passkey of my WindowsVista, can I perform a complete format and install with Windows 7 Upgrade, ordo I need the full version of Windows 7?
Thanks in advance for any answers!
Submitted by floridaman339 on Fri, 07/24/2009 - 1:02pm
Get a copy of a backup program like Spotmau or Ghost, and backup first. The time spent may be well worth it! With external HDDs as cheap as they are, it is a no-brainer!
Submitted by bruffstuff on Wed, 07/15/2009 - 7:11am
Download Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder (search Google)
Run key finder
Write down key.
and done
---Cheapest thing to do is find the OEM install cds on Ebay, many admins sell tons of copies since they use a volume key license.
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 07/13/2009 - 12:56pm
I'm not getting the blurb about Vista for 10 bucks. Does that mean Vista is retailing for 10 bucks now and if i buy vista i can upgrade for free to 7 in 3 months?
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Submitted by B.A.Frayd on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 10:24pm
I am currently running Vista Home Premium OEM. I am planning on installing the Windows 7 Upgrade on this current machine when it is released in Oct.
Will I be able to install that same copy of Windows 7 Upgrade if I upgrade my hardware, or build a new computer in a year or two?
Short answer
Submitted by alanmc76 on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 5:59pm
The short anser is yes. But, you will have to plan ahead. First, as many others have pointed out recently, don't lose your XP or Vista software. At the very least, you will have to reinstall one of them and activate it before reloading Win 7. Or, if you are a capable builder, make a disc image with the correct drivers already installed.
-- "What am I, MacGyver? Fix it with what?"--
Submitted by B.A.Frayd on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 12:07pm
Thanks for the reply. I'm still not clear though. My main concern is the fact that I am using an OEM version of Vista. Will I be able to use the OEM key for the Windows7 Upgrade disk if I build a new computer, or will the OEM key not be accepted because it is, technically, only for the original build? Thanks.
Read more >> Options >>
oem pricing
Submitted by mpcrsc562 on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 5:01pm
has there been any word on oem pricing yet?
Submitted by DataCabbitKSW on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 2:44pm
Thank you Justin Kerr for providing an incredibly well formed article that answers most of the upgrade questions for people with regards to Windows 7. Just about anything you didn't answer, has either been answered over on the official Windows 7 RC Support Forum (located here http://tinyurl.com/9fhdl5 ), or has not been announced at all from Microsoft yet. The next week should see some nice announcements considering the conferences coming up. I'm looking forward to October 22nd more and more.
Submitted by TurboGFF on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 10:24am
Hey guys, I have a question. I was running a 'non validated' version of XP pro before doing a clean format and install of Win7 RC1. I recently pre-ordered the Home premium win7 upgrade at that low price. My question is, can I upgrade (and by upgrade I mean clean install/format) from Rc1 to a full retail copy using the upgrade disk I preordered? Or should I start looking around for an old winXP key...
Submitted by Kargg on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 8:06am
I ran the Securable program and it told me that my hardware virtualization was "Locked On" I read the comments it made about it, but still don't understand what it means.
I did run MS's Virtual PC a while ago, but thought I had uninstalled it.
So, what does it mean? I really still don't understand it.
Thanks.
Submitted by robesaw on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 8:24pm
OK, one of two BURNING questions I have -
When I built my Vista machine I partitioned the drive (actually a raid5). I never liked it because I could never get Vista to recognize that my data was on drive D instead of C.
So, I'm thinking to go away from partitions altogether and want to have only one drive letter for the upgrade. Do I need to do a fresh install to remove the partition? Can I remove the partition durinng install?
Thanks.
Submitted by amadeus on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 12:24am
My HP Pavilion desktop (a 2007 model) came pre-installed with Vista Home Premium. I don't have the OS' OEM or Retail DVDs; just the System Restore discs. The OS files for System Restore are backed up in the D drive.
If I do an in-place upgrade to Windows 7 -
- What will be the validation process?
- My D drive with the factory restore OS files will remain intact, right?
If I do a complete install -
- What will be the validation process?
- I can choose to leave the D drive's files untouched, right?
Is it correct to assume that, irrespective of an in-place or clean install, I can always restore Vista Home Premium using my System Restore discs (Factory setting)?
Help?
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