Windows Vista Upgrade to Windows 7

Posted on March 21, 2010

Vista upgrade to Windows 7

There are 2 ways of upgrading your Windows Vista laptop to run Windows 7.

  1. 1

    A clean install, where you remove the existing OS completely including all your other files (documents, photographs, other software) and freshly install Windows 7.

  1. 2

    Upgrade you laptop by installing Windows 7 on top of the existing OS. Here your files will not be removed.

To install Windows 7, you can use one of the following:-

  • an installation disc if your laptop has an integrated DVD drive, or use an external DVD drive.
  • a downloaded copy of the OS.
  • the ISO files that’s loaded on a USB flash drive. (Visit How to Format Hard Drive Without CD)

In case you want to do a clean install, then follow the steps given in – Windows XP Upgrade to Windows 7. The procedure is the same.

Upgrade Vista – Windows 7

In case you are going to upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 then follow these steps:-

  1. Step
    1

    Ensure that your laptop atleast has Service Pack 1 of Windows Vista running on it. Else you will not be able to proceed with the upgrade.

  1. Step
    2

    Backup all data on an external hard drive, or another computer on your home network, or in an online storage cloud, or on a CD/DVD. Though this process will not wipe out your files, it is better to stay safe in case something goes wrong.

  1. Step
    3

    Connect to the internet in case you want automatic updates during the installation.

  1. Step
    4

    Slip in your installation disc into the DVD drive or plug in your USB flash drive and the installation should kick-start automatically. Else you’ll have to go to the respective drive from Start > Computer, and then double click on the setup.exe file. In case you have a downloaded copy of the OS, then you can directly double click on the installation file from there.

  1. Step
    5

    Click on “Install Now” on the Install Windows page.

  1. Step
    6

    On the “Get important updates for installation” choose the first option, to get automatic updates immediately. This is why you need to be connected to the internet during the upgrade process.

  1. Step
    7

    After the updates are got, the laptop will restart and will continue with the installation from where it left it. You’ll have to agree to the license terms and then click “Next”.

  1. Step
    8

    On the next screen – “Which type of installation do you want?” choose Upgrade.

  1. Step
    9

    The installation then checks if there are any compatibility issues. Follow screen instructions to get things fixed.

  1. Step
    10

    The laptop then continues with the process and will restart automatically a few times. The process will take a long time to complete.

  1. Step
    11

    You’ll then have to enter the product key and click “Next”. A few more settings to go and you’ll be taken to the Windows 7 desktop.

  1. Step
    12

    You might have automatic updates doing their work else, you might have to manually update certain drivers for working with Windows 7.

For more format options visit – How to Format Laptop?

Filed under How To

Comments

One Response to “Windows Vista Upgrade to Windows 7”
  1. bestjobsforyou says:
    December 12, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    thinking to upgrade it to Windows 7 from vista ultimate..what say people?

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