Stuff to know before jumping from Windows XP to Windows 7
Budget-conscious PC users contemplating a move to Microsoft's Windows 7
might be tempted to upgrade their existing machines, rather than spend
money on new PCs that come with Windows 7 installed. With large swaths
of the population having avoided Windows Vista, that means many would be
making the upgrade on PCs now running the older Windows XP.
And those tech-savvy cheapskates would appear to be in luck. For a limited time (until July 11 in the U.S. and Canada) Microsoft is offering reduced prices to people who pre-order upgrade versions of Windows 7 Home Premium ($49.99) and Windows 7 Professional ($99.99). The discounted upgrade prices are available not just to Windows Vista users but to people running Windows XP machines.
So it's a no-brainer, right? Well, maybe. There are a number of important issues to consider before making the jump to Windows 7 on an existing Windows XP machine. Here's what we've learned from questions we posed to Microsoft and independent PC experts.
First of all, the upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 requires a clean installation, which mean PC users must back up their data before installing Windows 7, then restore their data and reinstall their applications afterward. In contrast, in many situations, the shift from Windows Vista to Windows 7 can be done "in place," which preserves data, applications and settings.
[Related post: Microsoft's Windows 7 price cuts, upgrade promotions]
A clean install can be a pain in the butt, but think of it like a visit to the gym. The process is generally good for the computer, basically giving the machine a fresh start, said Jon Bach, president of custom computer maker Puget Systems Inc. in Auburn, Wash.
"Regardless of what’s required, I think it’s best practice to do a clean wipe," Bach said.
If you're comfortable with a clean installation, the next issue to consider is whether your Windows XP machine is up to the task of running Windows 7. As a baseline, Microsoft's minimum Windows 7 system requirements call for a 1 GHz or faster processor, with at least 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of free hard-disk space and a modern graphics device (DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0).
If technical stuff isn't your thing, there's another way to get a sense for whether your PC will run the new operating system smoothly. Microsoft offers an automated Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser program that can be downloaded and run on an existing Windows XP machine to figure out whether it's up to par for Windows 7.
One category of Windows XP users who might be fine making the upgrade are people who bought machines in 2007 or later but avoided Windows Vista in favor of the older operating system, said Ed Bott, a technology blogger and one of the authors of the upcoming book Windows 7 Inside Out. Some people opted against Vista on newer machines because of its negative reputation.
But if the hardware is older, it may pose problems for Windows 7.
For example, Bott said, people may have problems running Windows 7 on older notebook computers, purchased in 2006 and before, that use integrated graphics, which share the main system memory rather than having dedicated memory of their own. Newer machines with integrated graphics should be fine, but one big red flag is Intel's older 915 chipset, which doesn't support the fancy Windows Aero interface. (A fact that led to a consumer lawsuit against Microsoft over Windows Vista, but that's another story.)
Another big consideration is whether Windows 7 will run existing applications and devices. Microsoft will be offering a free add-on program for Windows 7, called Windows XP Mode, that works with virtualization technologies to help with compatibility problems. However, it's expected to be offered for use with Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise, not Home Premium.
[Related post: Windows 7 vs. Apple Snow Leopard in upgrade wars]
To get a sense of whether your devices and applications will run natively in Windows 7, one trick is to check Microsoft's Windows Vista Compatibility Center. The similar compatibility site for Windows 7 isn't yet available, but the company says it's working to ensure application and device compatibility between Windows Vista and Windows 7, so the Vista site is worth a look for now.
In addition, the aforementioned Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser, available now in preliminary form, will help assess the compatibility of existing devices and programs with the new operating system.
I've been using Windows Vista and testing Windows 7, but I ran the
Upgrade Adviser this morning on an older ThinkPad notebook, running
Windows XP, and it worked well. Among other things, the Upgrade Adviser
told me that I'll need to run Windows Update after installing Windows 7 to make the ThinkPad's fingerprint-reading technology and my
older HP printer work smoothly with the new operating system.
The processor speed, memory and graphics on the older ThinkPad were all up to snuff for Windows 7, according to the program, but I'll need to free up more space on my hard disk before upgrading.
Of course, the way many people will get Windows 7 is not by upgrading but by purchasing a new computer.
"If there was anything marginal about my hardware, if there was anything there that had been nagging me, I’d replace it," Bott said.
But as inexpensive as computers have become, that's still a bigger purchase, particularly when factoring in the limited-time pre-sale upgrade discounts Microsoft is offering on Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional. If you're determined to make the move to the new Windows version, it's at least worth exploring the possibility of an upgrade, even on an existing Windows XP machine.
Read more of Todd Bishop's posts at TechFlash.com
Marco Cervantes on July 02, 2009 at 10:52 AM
I Had to downgrade from Windows 7 BETA to Vista and I already miss 7. Things are soo much faster and easier and more integrated. Especially how the way windows open on the task bar. I'm ready for Windows 7 already.=]
fubar on July 02, 2009 at 12:45 PM
This isn't strictly a Win7 issue, but Microsoft is readying a free anti-virus/anti-spyware/anti-malware program called "Microsoft Security Essentials" (MSSE)
Note: the Public Beta for this product is currently closed (7/2/09).
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Also see:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Microsoft-Security-Essentials.shtml
Most reviews of the current beta version indicate that performance is good, and that the ultra-simple user interface is efficient.
Please note that when news of this product first started leaking out (last year?), a controversy about whether or not Microsoft could be trusted to do a good job with malware broke out. Many people stated that it is better for 3rd parties to provide critical security software, some had concerns that if MSSE becomes popular that competition in the anti-malware (AV/AS) space could be stifled.
Microsoft's response is that they are trying to make computing more safe and secure, particularly by providing customers with a free, easy to use, anti-malware program. It remains to be seen if this program will significantly reduce the large percentage of Windows PCs that do not run any anti-malware program, as Microsoft hopes will be the case.
Western Reader on July 02, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Interesting article. I ran it by my 'puting guru, and he said this: "What Todd didn't mention is that a clean install on XP will REQUIRE an XP installation CD, something that most people do not have. The restore CD/DVD will NOT do it."
Me? I'm staying with XP Pro. I'm real happy with it.
Adam Maas on July 02, 2009 at 04:55 PM
After trying Win7 RC1, I was VERY happy to get back to Vista. Vista works very well once the Indexing and ReadyBoost services are disabled(they're the primary reason a default Vista install is slower than a default XP install) and like the Win2k->XP update, MS has produced a more complex, more annoying UI with 7.
Bob Nolen on July 02, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Will we be able to transfer applications from one computer to another
without having to reload the programs again ?
Jeremy Wa on July 02, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Of course, the far better choice is to buy a Mac. Then you avoid all the trash from using a Microsoft computer: removal of crapware, removal of trialware, removal of ugly stickers and adhesives (are all Windows computers always expected to be bought by 9 years old girls who amass junkware sticker collections?) and avoidance of installing anti-virus and anti-spyware.
When you count how much time you waste with a Windows computer and pay yourself minimum wage, you realize that your Windows computer is no bargain.
Moreover, as experts like Walter Mossberg have said repeatedly, the Mac OS is far better written, elegant and efficient than the chicken wire and chewing gum OS called Windows.
Did I mention it is far more stable and not subject to the $50/year Windows anti-virus tax with Windows.
brian on July 02, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Did anyone mention that if they wanted a Mac they wouldn't be looking at articles about Windows 7?
The Mac is pretty. And it doesn't allow me to do a damn thing that I need to do without installing Virtual PC or VMWare.
ErikZ on July 02, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Sorry, but Macs do too many things differently from a PC "Just to be different from a PC."
You can easily get a far more powerful computer by choosing PC over Mac too.
Doug on July 02, 2009 at 06:04 PM
Mac users are so sad. They are like poorly endowed guys who always are talking about what studs they are. Obviously, very insecure.
And they are profoundly ignorant.
Rich on July 02, 2009 at 07:09 PM
What I want to know is IF a Full version of Windows 7 Ultimate will allow an upgrade from Vista as well as the FULL install.
My thinking is Vista runs very well on this machine, I did all the hardware upgrades for Vista. However and upgrade would be easier, faster and less hassles with reinstalling everything.
That said, there is always the chance that I would want to install FULL as some point, plus the fact that down the road, an upgrade only path would require Vista to in installed .. then the upgrade, if ever I had to reinstall Windows 7.
So, if the Windows 7 Ultimate FULL version will alow an ugrade or the FULL install, this would be the best of both those worlds.
Rich
rrr on July 02, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Exactly six comments before the mac freak shows up. How annoying.
SC Mike on July 02, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Backups are fine, restores can be problematic, so why not buy a new hard drive, especially if you are upgrading a laptop? They are cheap enough, just determine whether you've a PATA or a SATA, and you're pretty much set. When buying the new hard drive, add a compatible external USB hard drive enclosure ($10-20) to your order for the old drive so that you can copy that data to your new drive.
Another advantage of this approach is that you can go for a bigger and faster drive: if the old one spins at 4200 or 5400 RPM, a 7200 RPM makes a big difference.
If you end up not liking 7, just switch the two drives and you're back to where you were and you have an external drive for additional storage and backup.
SeanOh on July 02, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Mac Fanboy: Did I mention it is far more stable and not subject to the $50/year Windows anti-virus tax with Windows.
Or just run as a plain user and install freeware virus protection.
MarkD on July 03, 2009 at 04:56 AM
There is, of course, the option of Linux. That's what's on this PC, no anti-virus or Windows update slowdowns every time I turn it on, and Linux is free.
I have a different PC, which needs to run a particular VPN client for work, that is XP. The one I'm building now will have Windows 7 and Linux on it.
I have been using computers since the punched card days. I make my living supporting operating systems, and I'm bemused and puzzled by the ardent fans. It's like asking a plumber if he likes pex, pvc, or copper. It depends.
Michael Ronayne on July 03, 2009 at 05:40 AM
I am running Windows-7 Beta on an old Dell D610 which I upgraded from 1GB to 2GB of RAM. Performance with 1GB of RAM was good and with 2GB of RAM was excellent. The only strong advice I would give anyone is that you make sure that the PC which will be running Windows-7 is rated as Vista compatible by the manufacture or Microsoft supports all the drivers for the PC. In the case of the Dell D610 it is not rated as Vista compatible and the audio driver can be touchy at times but works. The problem with Dell is that Microsoft doesn’t support all the Dell drivers and if Dell doesn’t have a Vista driver for you hardware you may be out of luck. The Dell D620 is Vista compatible but some of the hardware is not the same as is in the D610 however most of the D620 Vista drivers work on the D610 in the few cases where Microsoft doesn’t fully support the hardware. With the exception of drives issues, which are really a Dell problem, I am delighted with Windows-7.
My only complaint about Windows-7 is that the Quick Launch Toolbar, which I use all the time, is an obscure add-on but it is packaged with the Beta code. Some online documentation and a few mouse clicks fixed that problem. Microsoft has a winner!
Michael Ronayne
Nutley, NJ
FREE on July 03, 2009 at 07:06 AM
LINUX all the way.
Who in there right mind would pay Bill Gates for something that can be had for free. I mean really.
Aric A. on July 03, 2009 at 10:35 AM
@Rich: The free Release Candidate of Ultimate allows you to choose between an upgrade and a full install, so it's reasonable to assume that buying a full copy of Ultimate will also give you both options.
Dan King on July 03, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Do not wipe your old disk. Buy a new, bigger, faster disk, and replace your old disk. Install Windows 7 on the new disk. Buy a USB connector (or eSATA) external disk box (can't think of the right name) to hold your old disk and connect it to your computer as needed.
Instant backup, instant performance boost.
jeff cooper on July 03, 2009 at 05:16 PM
I have Windows XP 64-bit on my system and I can't run the upgrade adviser. It says I need Vista or XP SP2. My OS is completely up to date. How can I fix this?
jeff cooper on July 03, 2009 at 05:23 PM
I forgot to ask, is Win 7 32 or 64 bit?
Aric A. on July 06, 2009 at 09:02 AM
@jeff: You may be trying to upgrade your 64-bit XP with a 32-bit copy of Win7, which is why it's "looking" for an OS. Win7 comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors, so make sure you grabbed the 64-bit release candidate for your system.
refurbished computers on August 28, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I was having issue with upgrading the windows Xp but one of my friend is computer expert he had fixed the issue and now it automatically upgrades.
cheap computers on September 06, 2009 at 01:23 AM
I have a 2 GB dimm and am running Vista Business. Does this mean that the BIOS flash updated my system memory usage? If so, I bet there are a few of you that would like the flash
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