Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Stick with XP our upgrade to Windows 7?

A friend of mine just told me I need to upgrade to 7 from Vista. If I did a clean install, do I have to re-load all my different programs? That would be a bitch, considering that many were purchased and downloaded. Is there a way to install it clean without having to re-load some of the more critical programs with files already saved? I get a headache just thinking about trying to find them all, save them to a different drive, then re-installing them.

Yes, a clean install means you reinstall everything. No, you always have to reinstall everything. You can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer your saved docs, files, settings, etc (as long as you're careful about it--the defaults don't really grab non-MS products), but you'll never get the applications themselves to transfer.

Oh, and here's the trick. You have to use Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7 on the Vista install, otherwise the file won't open under Win 7.

If you're running 32 bit, here's the link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=09d80814-2a73-4245-a63b-8e780d0430cb

Thanks Ken! I think you need to just drag Peter up here and you guys can give my system a tune up. I'll buy the wine and let you drive the Z06 around the block.

When 7 first was released, I got two of the upgrade copies for a great price. Just last week I got around to doing my laptop. I did an upgrade (not the clean install) and it was a piece of cake. All my data and programs transferred though I did have to update a couple of my programs.

I started with Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7. I downloaded and ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

I was thrilled with how easy it was and how smoothly it went.

Hey, I want in.

j/k - I don't get paid to geek the way Ken and Peter do.

I think Jack's right - you HAVE to do a clean install going from XP to 7, but you can "upgrade" from Vista to 7. I'm sure there are valid reasons to do a clean install anyway.

Mike, why do you "need" to upgrade? I'm still running XP on a bunch of machines, and I don't feel deprived.

So, just leave me oblivious, you guys.

Yeah, i forgot that the upgrade is only good for Vista. XP has to do the clean install. Daunting.

And I forgot to mention that the upgrade is possible. Somewhat risky, but possible. What I'd probably do is make the Win Easy Transfer for 7 file, then do an in-place upgrade (like Jack describes), and if it doesn't work, fall back to doing a clean install and using the Win Easy Transfer file.

I always go for the clean install, then add back in the programs I want. I find the system just runs better without all the extra clutter of removed programs etc. that hang around with an upgrade.

Michael, what about a dual boot? That's what I would suggest.