Windows 7

I have ordered Windows 7 home premium, due to arrive next week. I am currently using Vista and I am a total newbie where doing a clean install is concerned.
Am I right in saying that I can back up all the files I wish to keep onto DVD's, then re-install them once I have installed Windows 7? What I do not understand (being stupid) is that these files and programmes will still be on my hard disc so when I load the Windows 7 disc, does this format my hard drive and remove everything already on it (including Vista)?
The technical details are confusing me and I am worried that I will end up i a total mess.

just do the upgrade.... it works very well so everyone says, and all your programs and so on is left fully intact.

I pre-ordered the disc before it was announced there was an upgrade available soI was under the impression that a clean install was the only option.

In reply to a post by Tinkerpuss:

I pre-ordered the disc before it was announced there was an upgrade available soI was under the impression that a clean install was the only option.

Hmm, I was under the impression the clean install version will allow an upgrade. Someone else will be able to confirm though.

In performance testing from xp to vista (iirc), the upgrade version was not at all slower (infact faster) in performance than the clean install when a few benchmark tests were carried out.

Yes the full version allows you to do a clean install or an upgrade and the upgrade works well and will save your old files under windows.old. Its quite easy to install and well worth it.

Sorry for posting again but this link is helpful for installing it. You're given the option to do an upgrade which backs up your files or a clean install which will completely remove everything on your harddrive which is more preferable for some people as there can be less problems (if any) that way.

As others have said, just do the upgrade from Vista to 7.

I did the upgrade from Vista (64) to Windows 7 (64) and the difference is unreal. I'm so glad to see the back of Vista.

You can of course do a "clean install" but IMHO there is no need.

Depends which flavour of Vista. I tried to do an upgrade install to Windows 7 Professional from my OEM (on a Dell XPS420) Vista Home Premium, and it wouldn't let me. Instead I now have a dual-boot system, and am gradually migrating my applications. If you have enough disk (space), I'd recommend this as a less disruptive and time-consuming way to go.


Edited to make it make sense!

Edited by deleted (Sun 01-Nov-09 11:52:30)

But you'll forever have a dual-boot system; this is not sensible.

You should be able to choose to do an upgrade during installation without any problem but it will usually take significantly longer than a clean install. The reason for this is because it has to first of all prepare the system for a complete roll back to the pre-upgrade setup in case the upgrade fails for any reason while also preparing the system for the upgrade process. This is of course significantly more work than what a straightforward clean install entails.


General info: You can only upgrade 32 bit to 32 bit and 64 bit to 64 bit and you can only upgrade the equivalent or 'better' version over the existing version. I.e. you can upgrade upwards to any version but not downwards.


Courtesy of Windows 7 Inside Out by Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, and Craig Stinson

Supported Paths for In-Place Upgrades from Windows Vista.
You Can upgrade:
From...................................To
Vista Home Basic..........to......Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate
Vista Home Premium......to......Windows 7 Home Premium, Ultimate
Vista Business..............to......Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise
Vista Ultimate..............to......Windows 7 Ultimate

EDIT: Typo.

Edited by deleted (Mon 02-Nov-09 04:05:09)