Windows XP To Windows 7 Upgrade

[The Tech Professor]

Windows XP To Windows 7 Upgrade (Part 1)

Hello everyone,

Today I upgraded a clients PC (Toshiba Satellite Laptop: A75-S229) from Windows XP to Windows 7. These are my steps to the successful install (then I had to reinstall programs, drivers, and put all the data back). Does anyone do this differently?

Before I ever inserted the Windows 7 DVD Install Disc:

1) Ran Windows Upgrade Advisor ( checks for any known compatibility issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs). There were no problems.

2) Copied The Following Files To My Flash Drive (from the current XP installation):

A) Outlook Express Address Book
B) Internet Explorer Favorites
C) Actual Outlook Express Mail (Local Settings\Identities\GUID\Microsoft\Outlook Express)
D) Desktop (so I know what's on the PC, also some people keep full files on the desktop)
E) Start Menu
F) My Documents Folder

Note: I created a new folder (All Users) on the flash drive and put the Desktop and Start Menu in it. The Desktop, Start Menu and My Documents folders will eventually end up in a Windows.old folder after the Windows 7 installation. I put them on a flash drive just to be safe. After Windows 7 is installed the contents of the XP My Documents folder will be separated neatly into the following Windows 7 folders: My Documents, My Pictures, My Video and My Music, Desktop, Local.
If you have multiple users on the same computer you must follow the same procedure for each user. If a previous backup has been made to an external hard drive, you don't have to put anything on a flash drive.

Insert Windows 7 DVD Into the Laptop (Desktop) DVD RW Drive (answer questions):

3) Get Installation Updates Online - Yes!
4) What Type Of Installation Do You Want? Custom (can't select upgrade option with XP).
5) Where Do You Want To Install? C:\ ( previous C:\ files will be put in windows.old).

6) Begin Install (The install will go through the following five steps):

A) Copying Windows Files
B) Expanding Windows Files
C) Installing Features
D) Installing Updates
E) Completing Installation

7) Enter The 25 characters long Windows 7 Product Key (done - successful install!).

The Tech Professor

 

[Alan22]

That's basically what I do, but I've also been using the Windows 7 Easy transfer program to transfer files & settings.

Before I perfomed my first XP to 7 upgrade I read the info contained here:
Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7
Also, for those interested, download the pdf listed under "Print This Tutorial" on the right side of that page. Good info.

 

[Mushin]

Laplink PC Mover.

Pass the cost along to the client... become a reseller.
Or eat the cost of the license but include it in your serivce fee somehow.

 

[CompConfig]

YEP, PC MOVER!! use it the price is reasonable or as suggested become a partner like I just did. I have done about 8 different xp to 7 upgrades and 5 of them were upgrades from xp to a brand new win 7 computer. All of the files, folders, documents and the programs were moved. Make sure you know what you are allowed to move so you do not break the licensing. most, all require you to remove the software from the old machine. Some others do not allow you to transfer their products at all.

 

[geekhelp4u]

+1 for PC Mover. Just be careful of what you are moving when it regards system products. For example: If you are upgrading an old Dell Laptop to a new Dell laptop - make sure not to transfer over the quickset software - as this interferes with the new DCP software. Check with the user - and only move the programs that you know they want or need to use - don't just move all of them!