Windows7How

Windows XP Upgrade to Windows 7 – Part IV

February 2, 2010

In the previous articles we discovered what upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 would take. It is not a procedure to be taken lightly. In Part I there were tools and an overview of the process which will be used. In Part II, we learned of backing up your Windows XP system for safety, backing up your data and settings to restore to Windows 7 when it is finished installing, and how you should gather your application CDs/DVDs for installing them on the new operating system (OS). In Part III, there was the big process of installing Windows 7 – two routes were presented to get through turning your Windows XP computer into a Windows 7 system. Here will be where we discuss getting acquainted with your new OS. Windows 7 has many new features and some significant differences from Windows XP – not so much from Vista, though there are some. So, let’s get started.

For one thing, the user interface (UI) – or look and feel of the Desktop and other graphical features – of Windows 7 is much different from Windows XP. You will notice this right away. If you have some Windows Vista experience, you will certainly notice some similarities. Likely, though, you are very used to and familiar with the XP UI. Windows 7 may cause you to have to think hard to figure out where you need to go to do what needs doing. However, Microsoft has provided you with several sources of help.

One good place to start is at Microsoft’s What is Windows 7 website. There you will find several sections describing what you should expect from your new OS. Be aware, though, that this site is also used as a giant advertisement for Windows 7, expect hyperbole. There is a good section towards the center of the page about the new features in Windows 7; pay attention here and make sure to check out the “More Windows 7 Features” after you have perused all of those mentioned here. Also, head on over to the Windows 7 Help & How-to section where you will find the answers to many of your questions about the OS. Again, on the What is Windows 7 page you will find a link – right in the middle of the page – to several “7-second demos” which will demonstrate many of the new features. And, do not forget about the Windows Training Portal within the Microsoft Learning website. Just spend some time there and you will be an expert in very little time.

If you have some questions which the training sections and help file cannot answer, go and ask them. If you head on over to the Microsoft Answers website and do some looking around. If that does not get you the information you are looking for, Microsoft does operate Windows 7 Forums where you can ask a large number of people for that knowledge. It is staffed by Microsoft personnel and many very knowledgeable forum members who are more than happy to answer you about anything concerning Windows 7.

If you just cannot stand the new Windows 7 UI, but you still want some of the better features and the extra speed, you can always try the Windows XP Mode. The hardware requirements are a bit stiffer here – make sure your PC can support it – but it will take you back to the good old Windows XP UI. This is a fully licensed version of Windows XP which runs within the Windows Virtual PC platform in Windows 7. However, this nifty retro-OS is only available in the higher Windows 7 releases – Windows 7 Professional (Enterprise) and Windows 7 Ultimate.

We have seen many aspects of the upgrade process from Windows XP to Windows 7. It does look daunting, a little complex, and labor intensive. However, it is much easier than it does seem. We have covered all of our bases here – all safety measures have been deployed. If you are just fine with installing Windows 7 on a clean hard drive, you can ignore most of what is here – except maybe the transferring of data and the compatibility tests – and just proceed. The idea is to have some flexibility and to be safe when making such a big change to your computing life. Once you are done, Windows 7 is running, and you have the whole system configured as you like it, you will forget all about Windows XP and will only have to agonize over your next OS upgrade…

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Tags: install windows 7, microsoft answer, ui, upgrade to win 7, user interface, windows 7, Windows 7 Professional, windows 7 question, windows 7 ui, Windows 7 Ultimate, windows virtual pc, windows vista, windows xp, windows xp mode