Windows XP Upgrade to Windows 7

Posted on March 16, 2010

XP Upgrade to Windows 7

  1. Step
    1

    Ensure that your laptop or netbook meets the following requirements for Windows 7 compatibility:-

    • at-least a 1GHz processor
    • at-least 1GB of RAM (for 32-bit) and 2GB (for 64-bit)
    • a minimum of 16GB of hard drive space (for 32-bit) and 20GB (for 64-bit).
    • DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver model 1.0

    If you’re not sure that your system meets all requirements, you can run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor which is a free tool from Microsoft. This tool will let you know of any of the requirements are not met.

  1. Step
    2

    Back up all your personal data, like photographs, documents, emails, address book, especially third party software installation files, keys etc. You can use the Windows Easy Transfer for backing up your data on an external hard drive. Or you could also use online storage, or an external CD/DVD for backing up your data. In case you do not have the install files of the additional software you are currently using on your laptop, ensure that you have the CD/DVD or other sources where you can get them from.
    Note:- All old files will be stored in a folder called Windows.old in your laptop itself, during the installation. Hence you can recover files directly from here after the installation. But any third party software will need to be re-installed again.

  1. Step
    3

    You might want to be connected to the internet during the installation process, in case you want automatic updates to install. (This is recommended if you have an internet connection).

  1. Step
    4

    Run the installer.

    • In case you are using the Windows 7 installation disc, then the process should start automatically, after you’ve slipped the disc into the DVD drive (either built-in or an external one connected via USB). If it does not start automatically, you can go to Start > My Computer > open the DVD drive and double click on the setup.exe file. Note:- You’ll need to boot from the DVD drive in these cases :- You do not have a Windows OS on your laptop; or you want to install the 64-bit version of Windows 7 OS on your laptop that’s running a 32-bit version of the older Windows operating systems.
    • In case you are using the ISO image on the USB drive for Windows 7 installation, the process should start automatically after you plug the USB flash drive into your laptop. Else you can click on Start > My Computer > open the USB drive and double click on the setup.exe file. (Visit How to Format Hard Drive Without CD)
    • In case you have downloaded the Windows 7 installation files from the internet, then go to the location where these files are stored and double click on the installation file.
  1. Step
    5

    Click on “Install Now” on the Install Windows page. The setup will then copy temporary files and start the install.

  1. Step
    6

    You’ll then be taken to the “Get important updates for installation”. You could click on the first option which will fetch you important updates online, automatically.

  1. Step
    7

    After the updates are installed, you’ll be directed to the license terms page. Accept the license terms by clicking on the box next to “I accept the license terms” and then click “Next”.

  1. Step
    8

    On the “Which type of installation do you want?” page, click on “Custom”. You cannot do an “Upgrade” from Windows XP to Windows 7 directly.

  1. Step
    9

    On the next page you will be asked – “Where do you want to install Windows?” Click on the partition that you want your OS to be installed on and then click “Next”. This partition in most cases will be the C: partition. Click “OK” on the warning box that appears.
    Note:- In case you wish to format and re-partition your hard drive, you can do so, before installing the OS at this point. In this case you will lose all data on your hard drive. Hence ensure it is all backed up.

  1. Step
    10

    The process continues and the laptop will reboot a few times. You’ll then be prompted to set certain settings like Country, Time and Currency, Keyboard layout, setting up a password, security preferences, product key, time, date and so on.

  1. Step
    11

    Once the installation process is complete, you might have to install driver updates. Click on Start and type “device manager”. The Device Manager window will appear. Those devices that need a driver upgrade will have a yellow exclamation marks against them.

  1. Step
    12

    Double click on the device that needs a driver upgrade. On the window that appears, click the “Update Driver…” button.

  1. Step
    13

    On the next window that appears, click on “Search automatically for updated driver software”. This should take care of most of the driver updates. In case you still have issues you might have to check the device manufacturer site for updates.

  1. Step
    14

    You’ll then have to install all your additional third party software.

  1. Step
    15

    Next, you’ll have to transfer back your data from the external hard drive using Windows Easy Transfer; or from the Windows.old folder; or from any other storage where you had taken your back-up on.

For other options of formatting laptop visit – How to Format Laptop?

Filed under How To

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