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Upgrading to Win7 from Vista running under XP downgrade RRS feed

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    I'm running XP Pro SP 3 under the Vista downgrade license and would like to upgrade to Win7. I'm confused as to whether I should follow the instructions for upgrading from XP or from Vista. I definitely can't afford to lose my software installations & settings in the process.

    Which upgrade instructions should I follow and is it worth the risk?

    • Edited by stoneage Thursday, July 9, 2009 11:02 AM
    • Moved by Andy Song Friday, July 10, 2009 9:02 AM Windows 7 Upgrade issue (From:Windows Vista Migration)
    Thursday, July 9, 2009 11:00 AM

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    Thanks JoelbX and Carey, I appreciate both of your responses.

    If I understand you correctly, Carey, if I upgrade from XP to Vista, I can run a Files and Settings transfer wizard from within Windows and retain all of my software settings. Then when I upgrade from Vista to 7, I would use the wizard again. (Correct?)

    Sounds like that method would accomplish what I would like to do.

    I'm a fan of clean installs, too. However, it seems that in this situation, I'd be losing my software settings if I clean installed 7.
    Hi stoneage

    Not exactly.

    An upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 requires a clean install, which means that you must reinstall all of your software programs. You can use the Windows Easy Transfer (WET) to tranfer all of you personal files and settings when you clean install. The WET utility does not transfer your software program installations, it only transfers personal files and settings.

    If you upgrade to Windows Vista first, you can then perform an 'In place upgrade' with Windows 7. This will retain all of your installed software programs and settings, unlike a clean install. In this scenario, you would not need to use the WET utility.

    Hope this helps.

    Thank You for testing Windows 7
    Ronnie Vernon MVP


    Sunday, July 12, 2009 1:35 AM

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    Ah, I believe you need to follow the instructions for the system you are currently running (XP).

    In order to install win7 RC with XP, you will have to use a clean install or dual-boot.
    • Proposed as answer by piepaw Saturday, July 11, 2009 5:17 PM
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 4:11 PM
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    Since upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 is unsupported (clean install only), I would suggest upgrading to Windows Vista, then upgrade to Windows 7.
    Carey Frisch
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 6:23 PM
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    You may as well clean install Vista and dual-boot XP, and then install win7 RC as a triple-boot system. Might as well since you have all 3 systems.
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 7:37 PM
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    You may as well clean install Vista and dual-boot XP, and then install win7 RC as a triple-boot system. Might as well since you have all 3 systems.

    What you are suggesting cannot be done with Upgrade licensing.  Each installation then would require a "full license" and the only full license the OP has is for Windows Vista or Windows XP.  You cannot install Windows Vista on a separate partition if the original license was used to downgrade to Windows XP and you intend to dual-boot with Windows Vista - its one or the other but not both.
    Carey Frisch
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 7:46 PM
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    Since upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 is unsupported (clean install only), I would suggest upgrading to Windows Vista, then upgrade to Windows 7.
    Carey Frisch

    He already has all his documents and files on XP, why does he need to go to Vista and then 7 when he can go straight to 7 with a clean install.

    Yes, there is all the "Files and Settings transfer wizard" / "Easy Transfer" stuff, he can do all that manually!
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:01 PM
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    Um, I forgot about the biggest recommendation Microsoft has:

    Are you testing this on your "primary home or business pc"?

    If so, maybe get a test pc?
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:09 PM
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    Since upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 is unsupported (clean install only), I would suggest upgrading to Windows Vista, then upgrade to Windows 7.
    Carey Frisch

    He already has all his documents and files on XP, why does he need to go to Vista and then 7 when he can go straight to 7 with a clean install.

    Yes, there is all the "Files and Settings transfer wizard" / "Easy Transfer" stuff, he can do all that manually!

    The OP originally stated: I'm confused as to whether I should follow the instructions for upgrading from XP or from Vista. I definitely can't afford to lose my software installations & settings in the process."

    That is why I suggested upgrading to Vista and then upgrade to Windows 7.
    Carey Frisch
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:21 PM
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    Sorry, I'm just a fan of clean installs. What can I say!?
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:24 PM
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    Thanks JoelbX and Carey, I appreciate both of your responses.

    If I understand you correctly, Carey, if I upgrade from XP to Vista, I can run a Files and Settings transfer wizard from within Windows and retain all of my software settings. Then when I upgrade from Vista to 7, I would use the wizard again. (Correct?)

    Sounds like that method would accomplish what I would like to do.

    I'm a fan of clean installs, too. However, it seems that in this situation, I'd be losing my software settings if I clean installed 7.
    Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:40 PM
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    Thanks JoelbX and Carey, I appreciate both of your responses.

    If I understand you correctly, Carey, if I upgrade from XP to Vista, I can run a Files and Settings transfer wizard from within Windows and retain all of my software settings. Then when I upgrade from Vista to 7, I would use the wizard again. (Correct?)

    Sounds like that method would accomplish what I would like to do.
    Yep, The wizard is called "Windows Easy Transfer"(I believe) in Vista and 7, you will have to use this wizard instead of the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard", as Microsoft updated the technology Vista uses to transfer files/settings, so it is incompatible (as I understand) with XP's default wizard. You can install Easy Transfer for XP, so you can start the XP -> Vista upgrade.


    Saturday, July 11, 2009 9:57 PM
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    Thanks JoelbX and Carey, I appreciate both of your responses.

    If I understand you correctly, Carey, if I upgrade from XP to Vista, I can run a Files and Settings transfer wizard from within Windows and retain all of my software settings. Then when I upgrade from Vista to 7, I would use the wizard again. (Correct?)

    Sounds like that method would accomplish what I would like to do.

    I'm a fan of clean installs, too. However, it seems that in this situation, I'd be losing my software settings if I clean installed 7.
    Hi stoneage

    Not exactly.

    An upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 requires a clean install, which means that you must reinstall all of your software programs. You can use the Windows Easy Transfer (WET) to tranfer all of you personal files and settings when you clean install. The WET utility does not transfer your software program installations, it only transfers personal files and settings.

    If you upgrade to Windows Vista first, you can then perform an 'In place upgrade' with Windows 7. This will retain all of your installed software programs and settings, unlike a clean install. In this scenario, you would not need to use the WET utility.

    Hope this helps.

    Thank You for testing Windows 7
    Ronnie Vernon MVP


    Sunday, July 12, 2009 1:35 AM