Going from Windows XP to 7 Home Prem.

You can overwrite but the best install is a clean install.  Store all your personal files or files you want to keep on another drive or back them up to some discs or whatever means you have available.  Once you have everything you want off the drive (not including apps, you'll have to reinstall those) then format the hard drive, boot to the win7 disk and follow the directions. 

then just format the drive, boot to the windows 7 disk and be done with it

Edited by Exsidium - 06 Apr 2010 at 7:41pm

How I upgraded

1. Download Windows Easy Transfer for XP.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=2B6F1631-973A-45C7-A4EC-4928FA173266&displaylang=en

2. Use Windows Easy Transfer to store all settings and files to another HDD.

3. EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED - Use free disk imaging program (I used macrium reflect) to create system disk image and recovery disk. Save disk image on external HDD.

4. Shut down computer.

5. Boot up computer. Insert Windows 7 disk BEFORE Windows starts up.

6. Wait for Windows 7 disk to boot. If Windows XP boots, check BIOS to make sure CD-Drive is before the HDD in Boot List.

7. Follow instructions. Make sure to direct the installer to overwrite on the disk you have XP on and to save your old files for you.

8. Allow to sit until installation is done (~20 minutes)

9. When reboot occurs, do not boot from CD. Windows 7 is seriously installed right now. All your old files have been moved to a folder Windows.old in case you screwed up and forgot something, panicking all the way until this step.

10. Boot up. Sign into your account.

10. Search for Windows Easy Transfer. (Go to the start button/windows icon, go to the search field, type Windows Easy Transfer, click on it)

11. Next -> An external hard disk or USB flash drive -> This is my new computer -> Yes -> Locate your external HDD and double click the easy transfer file you made earlier -> Follow instructions

12. File still didn't transfer? Hunt around Windows.old in C: to find any leftover files you're missing.

13. Be happy.

14. WAIT 3 MONTHS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THIS STEP. TRUST ME.
Got all your files? Are you happy with Windows 7? Delete Windows.old. It's just taking up empty space now with copies of your old files. All those files should already be in your computer by now.

Troubleshooting - Screwed up? Windows didn't install? If you took the time to make your recovery disk, use that to re-image your HDD. Your familiar old Windows XP system should be restored as if you never started.


Edited by ablahblah - 06 Apr 2010 at 9:34pm