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Moving From Vista To Windows 7

extremetech.com — Dare to upgrade from Vista To Windows 7. Don't experiment and risk data lose. This simple guide should help you avoid road blocks and other problems.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jun 5, 2009

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  • blazingfox, on 06/05/2009, -3/+67"data LOSS", not "data lose"
  • inactive, on 06/05/2009, -6/+597 is free right now and it's great - suck it end user fearful of change
  • nepidae, on 06/05/2009, -7/+46"The responsiveness was terrific. Thanks in part to the powerful, overclocked CPU and 6 GB of DDR3, Triple-Channel memory, the system flew as nicely as it did before the upgrade. Windows opened without hesitation. Applications—some of which needed reactivation—launched speedily. "

    Wtf does this have to do with Windows 7? Its like saying your new racing stripes on your car is what is responsible for its speed.
  • whiteguysamurai, on 06/05/2009, -5/+40Are we already getting idiots badmouthing 7?
    It's actually very good, you should give it a try.
  • Topher06, on 06/05/2009, -4/+34What most people should realize is that when you move to a RC or Beta Windows, you can't upgrade from the pre-release to the full release. Once you install Windows 7 RC, you either have to downgrade to Vista or XP (which will be a huge headache for many users) or you have to reinstall Windows 7 from scratch. Maybe Microsoft migh offer a way to "upgrade" from an RC build, but generally they have not done so ever in the past. You should only install a beta OS if you are able to wipe the partition clean and do a fresh install when the release comes out without worrying about losing data.
  • macaw2000, on 06/05/2009, -3/+23Been on Beta and RC1 and loving it. In fact the RC1 is better and more stable than most released software.
  • 4321234, on 06/05/2009, -3/+23OMG WINDOWS !!!!!!!! SAVE US, ASTRALKNIGHT !!!!
  • nepidae, on 06/05/2009, -3/+18Huh, and I thought this article was about Windows 7.
  • Jhorra, on 06/05/2009, -5/+20You're missing out, Windows 7 is full of awesome.
  • Mockylock, on 06/05/2009, -1/+16If I had a dollar for every time I had data lose...
  • sevenalive, on 06/05/2009, -1/+16It's called backup DOCUMENTS (not programs), format reinstall for clean. Think about it, most people never format and most never uninstall programs. Why would you want to carry the crapware, old programs, and the occasional trojan with you.

    7 Simple rules:
    1. Backup data and Format
    2. Create 1 partion for the OS, 1 for the data
    2. Install OS
    3. Customize OS, move music, video, pictures, saved games, and download folder onto the data partition
    4. Install Programs and restore data files
    5. Make image of the Windows partition either with windows backup or my preferred program Acronis True Image
    6. When you ***** the computer up trying to look at p0rn but you downloaded a virus, just restore the true image, update windows/programs, create incremental image.
    7. NEVER!!! rely on Antivirus and spyware and please don't believe "no virus, it's a false positive, the keygen/crack is clean" They are lying. Antivirus products can only detect something if they know about it before hand. Also, don't rely on just 1 scanner. Use VirusTotal, no av can detect everything.
  • inactive, on 06/05/2009, -1/+12The latest 7 release candidate will upgrade from vista keeping all of your installed programs etc. However with any OS install it is preferable to back up, wipe your disk, and start over. I was getting the BSOD all the time after an upgrade but after preforming a wipe and clean install it works flawlessly.
  • EdGasket, on 06/05/2009, -1/+12Microsoft will not support an upgrade from an RC or beta to the final product, because it introduces too many variables when it comes time to issue updates. They would have to verify and validate every update on the RTM build (i.e. the final copy purchased by customers) as well as the final-upgraded-from-RC version.

    If a user was able to wipe their disk to install Windows 7 RC then they are able to wipe their disk to install Windows 7 final. Microsoft should not support them beyond step-by-step instructions.
  • Andrewticus, on 06/05/2009, -3/+13Seriously, is it just me and the .net devs that like Vista? It's always been rock solid for me - but then again, I also remember the days when people said XP, 2000, 98 and 95 were buggy. I simply expected there to be minor issues here and there (as with any new software release of any kind, let alone an OS).

    And Sheepster....why would Micro$oft "suck it?" You're still using their product.
  • the3dolla, on 06/05/2009, -3/+12My vote is that you don't know much about computers, but you "THINK" you do..
  • aeiou, on 06/05/2009, -1/+10True, but when you are reinstalling you really should just do a fresh install anyway. Doing an upgrade install is really a BAD idea in most cases and asking for trouble.
  • inactive, on 06/05/2009, -5/+13Have fun in the dark ages. GIve win 7 a try. I used Vista briefly and found it a flashy slower version of XP (core changes aside). Win 7 feels really polished and the kind of evolution we expected with Vista
  • inactive, on 06/05/2009, -2/+9Obviously you didn't want to risk using spellcheck either.
  • KMartSheriff, on 06/05/2009, -0/+7I'm half surprised "data loose" didn't show up.
  • norman619, on 06/05/2009, -4/+10Wow... Change really scares you doesn't it?
  • mikelieman, on 06/05/2009, -2/+7Reality is... Once you get something STABLE, drivers setup right, configurations setup right, etc, you can groove your workflow on any O/S.

    I think Microsoft actually got this release right... The PROBLEM is: "Despite devkits and stuff, we can't ever get the vendors to release drivers ahead of our O/S release" [1]

    So... Microsoft FIRST releases a throw-away O/S. Make it a real piece of crap with UAC too aggressive and everything. Combine that with the inevitable driver issues even if it shined your shoes everyone would still hate it...

    And that's OK! Because MSFT's got a release already planned behind that crappy one, and for the extra time, it'll get polished, and people will LOVE that one...

    Ignoring, as you've pointed out... Once you get it cooked -- it works...

    [1] c.f.: Linux, where pretty much any driver you're gonna get is already built into the kernel as a module... Check your HCLs carefully kiddies!
  • barbapapa78, on 06/05/2009, -2/+7You do not have to install it when it's already there on your new pc.
  • mattycakes, on 06/06/2009, -0/+5i hate data lose
  • KMartSheriff, on 06/05/2009, -5/+10They're called XP fanboys and they even still badmouth Vista. They're fueled by ignorance.
  • inactive, on 06/06/2009, -1/+6Most of the criticism Vista has suffered from received stem from it's pre-Service Pack 1 days. I've met a lot of people who got it since then that were surprised at how good it was, considering it's reputation. I like it, honestly. It's proven to be a solid OS in my experience: stable, never crashes, attractive, fast. More secure, too-infections are down considerably compared to XP.

    I like 7, too. Not enough for me to abandon Vista just yet, but I was offered a free upgrade, I'd take it.

    50 Windows 7 tweaks: http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-s ...
  • emot1con, on 06/05/2009, -3/+8I'm moving from Mac OS to Windows 7. What do I do?
  • StANTo, on 06/05/2009, -0/+4Still doesn't support my CanoScan 650U, thanks companies and your decision to drop support to punt your products; and thanks Microsoft for dumping your WDM cross-OS driver support to ease these problems.
  • LMN8R, on 06/05/2009, -0/+4I performed an in-place upgrade to the Win7 RC from an established Vista SP1 machine that was last formatted more than a year ago. It's gone surprisingly smoothly.
  • nepidae, on 06/06/2009, -1/+5they are speed holes.
  • strangewill, on 06/05/2009, -0/+4But I could have data _lose_ OH NOES!
  • psychohog, on 06/06/2009, -0/+4Vista seems to be a beta of 7 to me.
  • Samueul, on 06/05/2009, -4/+8I upgraded from XP to Vista to 7RC1 with absolutely no problems at all. I have no complaints about 7. Vista on the other hand.....
  • KMartSheriff, on 06/05/2009, -3/+7What the ***** does "optimizing the operating system" mean? And for what, gaming? You don't need to optimize anything, just install the necessary drivers. Let me guess, you probably turn off SuperFetch too.
  • inactive, on 06/06/2009, -1/+4Vista's actually pretty good.
    you know, if you weren't a whiney fanboy follower. :)
  • flawlessjess, on 06/06/2009, -0/+3Cubert: Leela, help me apply these flame decals I got in my cereal. They'll make the ship go faster.
    Leela: What's your scientific basis for thinking that?
    Cubert: I'm 12.
  • jeremymccurdy, on 06/05/2009, -0/+3I did the upgrade method when the RC came out, and I only had trouble with my sound driver driver that wasn't 7 compatible, the generic Microsoft driver works just as well though.
  • mattmaryanski, on 06/05/2009, -0/+3I say just risk it.
  • mobling, on 06/05/2009, -1/+4Amen to that. It doesn't matter what OS you use. A fresh install is the only way to go.
  • Sfenton, on 06/05/2009, -1/+4WTF are you talking about Yarkz, I just installed a fresh copy of Vista Ultimate x86 on a Core 2DUO with 1 gb of memory and it was using more memory on the initial boot up than a fresh install of Windows Vista x86 on the same computer.

    Win 7> Vista




  • IllBeBack, on 06/06/2009, -0/+3Welcome to 1% marketshare.
  • leviathan2k, on 06/05/2009, -1/+3I dare to guess, most of the consumer hardware sold in the last years is already capable of running 64-bit OS'es (starting with the old Athlons 64 and 64 x2, through Core2Duos and on to the i7's). And backwards compatibility is implemented well in 7. So you should move on to the 64-bit version, it is definitely a gain.
  • akamurph, on 06/06/2009, -1/+3Um, 64bit has been around for awhile now...
  • IllBeBack, on 06/06/2009, -0/+2The word "lose" is not misspelled.
  • bigp3rm, on 06/05/2009, -0/+2I had just down loaded the iso last night. Gona make back ups and give her a go.
  • ledzep19752000, on 06/06/2009, -1/+3Imaging is good for the enterprise, but for home use it sucks. Every 3 to 6 months or sometimes even longer, I do a reinstall with fresh slip-streamed disk. At work, updates are pushed out monthly unless there's a severe security patch. At work our images are updated every six months for every model of desk and laptop. Images are good if you have thousands PCs with same software and hardware. But, home everyone has different machines and use different programs.

    Regarding step 2, I keep data on my D:\ hard drive which gets transferred to my server or to DVD depending on the type data.
  • Barackalypse, on 06/06/2009, -1/+3Mobling, imaging is utterly independent of how you have your partitions set up, I advised imaging both the OS and any data partitions.
  • bigpook, on 06/06/2009, -0/+2I left windows a long time ago, but from what I hear it looks like MS got it right with win 7.
    Thats good stuff, and more power to those that like windows. Lets hope in the end that it is more stable, more resistant to virus's and malware and more inter-operable with other OS's. Maybe then it will be more like linux.

  • antdude, on 06/06/2009, -0/+21 Print Page: http://www.extremetech.com/print_article2/0,1217,a ...
  • Sheethappens, on 06/06/2009, -0/+2Microsoft isnt offering a way to upgrade from anything below Vista to Windows 7 when it is in full release so why would they offer ways to go from pre release copies to full release copies without a full reinstall same as XP and below will have to do?

    The headache for any company emplyed IT guy who has a company who listened to his advice and stayed with XP is that to upgrade to Windows 7, which the same IT guy will note is the way to go, you have to basically lose everything to the install. Oh sure you can install Windows Easy Transfer on your XP and have it suck in files and some settings but it is nothing like a simple "shove the disk in, choose upgrade, answer some questions, put in the registration key and wait 2 hours for it all to be finished" situation with everything in place as it was before excepting now on Windows 7. Only Vista using businesses will have that opportunity.

    The same bad news for company IT guys is good news for freelancer IT guys. Regardless of how the economies of the world are faring at this moment, XP is no longer "the answer" as opposed to Windows 7 and has to be abandoned in favour of Windows 7. What this means is a lot of long and laborious jobs for freelancer IT guys but hey, the income will increase, from October 22, at least for a while, anyway.
  • jer2eydevil88, on 06/06/2009, -0/+2Streethappens is right so why are you digging him down? You cannot upgrade from XP to 7, this has been in print since they announced the first public beta of 7.
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