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Now playing:Watch this: Upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 7
If you're upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 it should be a fairly easy install. You can do what's called an in-place upgrade as long you install the same version of Windows 7 as you have of Vista.
In most cases, you can do an in-place upgrade of Vista to Windows 7. Upgrading in-place from Windows Vista to Windows 7 Unique to Windows Vista is the ability to upgrade a fully functional install of that OS to Windows 7. In such an upgrade, you will run Setup on the Windows 7 install DVD from the Windows Vista desktop.
For instance, if you have Windows Vista Home premium you can upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium. You can also go from Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional, and from Vista Ultimate to 7 Ultimate. Any other upgrade, like Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional, will require a clean install. That means you can't just turn Vista into 7. You have to export all your data, erase the hard drive, and then reinstall all your applications and data. A lot of computer experts think you should do a clean install anyway, just to make sure your machine runs better.
See our video for upgrading XP to Windows 7 for that process.
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But if you're lucky enough to be able to do an in-place upgrade and want to, here's what you do.
First back up your data. Just to be safe, I recommend Macrium Reflect as a great way to image your drive.
Dell Windows Vista Upgrade To Windows 7 Free
Next, put in the install DVD and select Run setup.exe.
Press continue.
If you're unsure whether Windows 7 will run, press Check compatibility online. Though really you should check that before you buy Windows 7. It will take you to a Web page where you can download and run the Windows 7 upgrade adviser. But if you're sure you're compatible, go ahead and click Install now.
Windows 7 will begin copying temporary files and start the install. It will first ask you if you want to go online to get the latest updates. I recommend you do it; it could save you some time later. Then agree to the terms that you have fully read and understand.
Select Upgrade. Windows will check compatibility and then begin copying files. After awhile, probably hours not minutes, you're machine will start back up into Windows 7!
Now you may have some settings that didn't transfer and are overwritten by Windows 7 defaults. Most notorious are the programs in your taskbar. So, be ready to do some tweaking to get things just exactly the way you like them. Also since you didn't start fresh some quirks in Vista may carry over to 7. But most won't.
Overall, it's a much simpler and faster process than the clean install.
If you do an in place upgrade it keeps your programs and files. If you do a custom install you must backup your files and reinstall all programs.Either way you should backup to be safe.
If you are running Windows Vista , in some cases you can upgrade directly to Windows 7 and in other cases you will need to perform a custom installation. The following table shows which editions of Windows Vista can be upgraded to Windows 7.
Windows VistaHome Basic | Windows 7Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate |
Windows VistaHome Premium | Windows 7Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate |
Windows VistaBusiness | Windows 7Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate |
Windows VistaUltimate | Windows 7Ultimate |
You can't upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit, a clean install is required. If you have questions about upgrading 32-bit to 64-bit or vice versa please see this FAQ: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions
If you have general questions about reinstalling Windows please see this site:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows
Installing - What does 'upgrade' mean?
Upgrade means you can install Windows 7 by simply inserting the Windows 7 upgrade software into your PC's DVD drive and follow the instructions on your screen. While you're not required to backup and reinstall your files, or reinstall your programs, it's a very good idea to back up your files and settings before you start any software upgrade. Get more information about software upgrades and best practices .
Installing - What does 'Custom (Clean)' Mean?
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![Windows Windows](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126239908/348175058.jpg)
- Backup all the files and settings you want to keep
- Install Windows 7
- Reinstall all your files
- Reinstall all the programs you want to use.
These four steps take time, some technical skill and Windows Easy Transfer can help. However, If you're not comfortable with this process, please consider having the installation done by a local service provider.
How do I do a Custom (Clean) Installation?
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A custom (clean) installation completely erases the contents of your PC's hard drive. Your files, settings, and programs will not be transferred to Windows 7.
Here's what you need to do:
- Run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to make sure your PC can run Windows 7. to see if there are any known issues that might affect the installation and whether you should install the 32- or 64-bit version of Windows 7.
- Back up your files To avoid losing anything, you'll need to save copies of all the files, photos, and other information you want to keep on an external hard drive. Windows Easy Transfer is a free tool you can use to copy your information (but not programs) off your PC and then put them back after you install Windows 7.Note: Windows Easy Transfer does not support moving from a 64-bit version of Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows.
- Locate the original installation disks for the programs currently on your computer.
- Insert the Windows 7 DVD and follow the instructions for a custom installation by selecting the Custom (advanced ) installation option.
- Reinstall your programs and your backed-up files and settings. If you used Windows Easy Transfer , launch Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 7 (in the Start menu, click All Programs>Accessories>System Tools ) and follow the instructions.Note: If you're moving files that you backed up with the Windows XP backup software, you'll need to download a free tool to restore the files to your Windows 7 PC. Here are more technical details about the installation process.