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Windows XP Upgrade to Windows 7 – Part II

January 20, 2010

In Part I, we looked at what aspects of the upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 would be best looked into when making the switch. It is important to consider all that is written here before the upgrade process is started. There are several safe-guards and good practices which must be maintained to keep you from loosing your valuable data. This set of articles is designed to help you through the upgrade and the associated tasks since Microsoft has not provided a simple ‘pure’ upgrade in this situation – only with Windows Vista is it that simple. At least we have the tools and procedures…

Before you start the upgrade process – as was mentioned in Part I – it is a very good idea to backup your Windows XP system. You can use the Windows XP Backup Utility, but it is important to remember that it is not compatible with the Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center – thus, it will also not work with Windows 7. However, Microsoft has provided a special version for Windows XP, which you can download, called the Windows NT Backup – Restore Utility. This should also work with Windows 7. However, to be absolutely sure, there are many drive imaging software packages available – some free others cost, but they are very good at what they do (i.e. Norton Ghost, or the numerous online backup providers). Failing that, you can always back up all of your important data onto a CD/DVD if you have a burner (and most people do now) or to an external hard drive. Whatever you decide here, do your due diligence to be absolutely sure that your data is secure.

After the ‘just in case’ data backup above, you should save off your settings along with another copy of your data; this is so you can move your data and settings to your new Windows 7 install. Microsoft has provided a very good tool for this exact purpose, Windows 7 Easy Transfer. Use the Windows 7 DVD to run the tool on your Windows XP system and perform the backup operation. After you have finished with the Windows 7 and applications install procedure, you simply use the Easy Transfer included with the install and pull that data and your settings into Windows 7. All done, and rather simple, too. There are some other providers of this functionality if you want to use another application to accomplish this, so feel free to research and learn.

Now it is time to get ready for the applications install task, which you will do before you pull your data and settings onto the new Windows 7 install. The Upgrade Advisor that was used in Part I should have told you which applications will work in Windows 7 and which will need to be upgraded. Remember, though, that the Upgrade Advisor may not provide you with a complete list of your applications. Spend some time on your Start | Programs menu and make sure you have a fully inclusive list. Gather the installation files, website addresses, and/or CD/DVDs and get ready to install them once finished with the OS upgrade.

Once you have all of your backups, your settings saved and any application install CDs/DVDs or web addresses, you are ready to decide on which upgrade processes you are going to use. It is important to look through the choices available to you; there are two distinctly different methods to moving from Windows XP to Windows 7. We will look at those in Part III.

Filed under: Guides

Tags: backup, backup utility, microsoft, restore center, restore utility, upgrade advisor, vista, vista backup, windows 7, Windows 7 Easy Transfer, windows 7 install, Windows NT Backup, windows xp, windows xp upgrade, xp backup