* *** VISTA_OR_XP_TO_WIN7 TXT - 17 Dec 2010 10:37:27 - JKNAUTH Converting from Windows Vista or XP to Windows 7 ========== ==== ======= ===== == == == ======= = This is a highlevel overview of some planning and installation considerations when converting a system from Windows Vista or XP to Windows 7. This is the way I do the conversion for my own systems and it has worked well; others may choose to do things a different way and achieve the same results. In the following text "Vista" will mean either Vista or XP; the procedure is the same for both. "($...)" notes where you might have to spend some money to buy new hardware or software, e.g., an upgrade compatible with Windows 7. I use the BootIt Next Generation program from TeraByte Unlimited to do partition management and to provide multiboot support. During the conversion, Windows 7 will be installed in a new partition; Vista will remain in its current partition. Both Vista and Windows 7 partitions will then be bootable. This allows a clean installation of Windows 7, while temporarily keeping the old operating system around during the Windows 7 system build/test. Thus there is a quick fallback if Windows 7 problems are encountered. Also with this approach, you can easily switch between the old and new systems to remind yourself how something worked in the old system to help decide whether you want it to be the same in the new one. --------------------------- Planning ------------------------------- You can use Windows 7 Upgrade ($119) since you already have Vista What is PC hardware configuration? ($? if upgrades are required) PC model number? Disk size? Current partitions with their sizes, placements, and space used? Port available for external hard drive (USB 2.0, eSATA,...)? BIOS level? Memory size? More memory is better (really should be at least 2GB) For 32-bit, addressing restriction limits to 4GB For 64-bit, can have much more addressable memory Display adapter/memory affects whether Aero can be used Run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to detect (some) possible problems ($?) www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15 Hardware incompatibilities Application program incompatibilities Drivers required Decide what programs should be installed on Windows 7 ($?) Good opportunity to do a major cleanup -- get rid of the deadwood Review list of currently installed programs Control Panel "Add or Remove Programs" in Windows XP "Programs and Features" in Windows Vista Belarc Advisor Free PC audit tool which lists installed programs www.belarc.com/free_download.html Provides printable report of current applications and hardware Make sure you have the discs/keys to reinstall what you want to keep Some of your current versions may not run on Windows 7 ($?) Probable applications to be installed on Windows 7 Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc., e.g., via Home and Student) Security: antivirus/firewall/antispam Decide what data must be moved and how to organize it on Windows 7 See jgkhome.name/PC_Info/PC-InetNotes.htm for some ideas Use BootIt Next Generation ($35) for partition management BootIt Next Generation = BootIT NG = BING Does hard drive partitioning and partition backup/restore/copy www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation.htm jgkhome.name/PC_Info/PC_Info_TOC.htm Can do initial work using BING CD; later install BING on hard drive Use external hard drive ($70-$100) for backup/restore Attach via USB 2.0, eSATA, etc., depending on your PC's capabilities Make sure the drive is compatible with your PC and with BING Alternative is to use DVDs (much slower) ----------------------- System Build ------------------------------- Do backups via BING Before making any changes, back up all hard drive partitions Do periodic backups during the system build process (and thereafter) Update BIOS if needed For older PCs, probably best to install latest BIOS version Can usually get from manufacturer's website Use BING from CD to shrink current VISTA (C:) partition size (to 30GB ?) "VISTA" partition may have a different name, e.g., "WINDOWS" New size will also be size of new TEST partition (see next item) Size to use depends on hard drive size and planned applications Set up final partition configuration Remove any now-extraneous partitions E.g., Dell Recovery (caution if Dell has put boot files there) Frees disk space and primary partition slots Not required if BING's "Limit Primaries" (to four) is disabled Shift VISTA partition left (if appropriate) to avoid wasting space Install BING in its own primary partition at end of hard drive Use BING to configure drive to final partition sizes/placements VISTA, TEST, DATA (extended, containing logical partitions), BING Make size of TEST be *exactly* the same as the size of VISTA Size DATA to take up rest of free space Put as many logical partitions in DATA as desired Install Windows 7 Use Ethernet cable to temporarily directly attach PC to router Usually faster and more reliable than wireless connection Windows intallation can download many MB of updates Do clean (Custom) install of Windows 7 into TEST partition Select Advanced and then Format to prepare the target partition Skip wireless setup for now Download and install latest Windows 7 updates Boot BING CD and reactivate the hard drive copy of BING Windows installation deactivates the hard drive BING Install security program ($?) on Windows 7 partition Tailor Windows 7 Desktop, Folders Options, Start Menu, Taskbar, etc. Set up wireless connection, if desired Hibernation used? If not, turn it off to reduce backup image size Might eventually move most of page file to an extended partition Tradeoff: Reduces backup image size vs. slows paging Install application programs and their updates Make Windows 7 the production operating system and delete Vista Copy all needed data from VISTA to TEST Thoroughly test Windows 7, applications, and hardware on TEST Activate Windows 7 if not already done during installation Use BING to delete VISTA partition Frees space required as the target area for BING Copy Use BING to copy TEST to space previously occupied by VISTA BING Copy creates a new partition there Name it WIN7 Use BING Edit to create two boot menu items: WIN7 and TEST In WIN7, specify WIN7 and DATA for MBR Details; check Default In TEST, specify TEST and DATA for MBR Details Result Now either WIN7 or TEST can be booted via the BING boot menu You can copy WIN7 to TEST for experimenting and not damage WIN7 Use BING to delete TEST and then copy WIN7 to free space created See jgkhome.name/PC_Info/PC_Info_TOC.htm for details BING installation and configuration BING procedures for backup/restore/copy