Installing Windows
7 - Upgrade Install
Current Operating
System: Windows Vista
New Operating System: Windows 7 [Any Version] |
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This
scenario is just a simple, straightforward upgrade
from Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional.
There's nothing tricky about it or any real hidden
pitfalls that you should encounter along the way as
long as you've done your prep work and the current
Vista system is in relatively good condition. That
said, I feel compelled to go through my usual spiel
about upgrades and the dangers that always exist
relative to something going wrong.
Keep in mind that in most upgrade scenarios, the
system being upgraded is likely loaded down with
files, data, and programs you deem valuable if not
irreplaceable. If you jump into an upgrade without
backing up those files and data you are taking a
huge chance. It's certainly your choice, but just
stop and think about how upset you'd be if something
does go wrong and years worth of files, photos,
music and other items are lost forever.
On a lesser note, if you're going to the trouble of
moving to a newer operating system you probably have
some expectation that after the change you'll notice
some performance increase, or at the minimum, the
same level of performance you had prior to the
upgrade. Even on a clean install that may or not be
the case, but it's far more likely you won't enjoy
all the performance possible out of the new
operating system when doing an upgrade and bringing
along all the junk that accumulates over the life of
a computer. Just food for thought. |
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| So if
you've decided upgrading is the best scenario as
opposed to a clean install, fire up the system and
log into Vista. Drop the Windows 7 DVD into the
drive and in a minute or so you should see the
[Install Windows] screen appear as shown in Fig. 01. |
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Fig. 01
[Click to enlarge] |
When doing an upgrade
as opposed to clean install, you have to begin the
upgrade operation from inside the current Vista
version.
If you want to check compatibility before you begin
the upgrade (and I strongly suggest you do so) click
the [Check Compatibility Online] button.
Remember that a lot of changes are going to be
taking place so make sure you have backups of all
your data and files in case anything goes wrong.
Once you're ready, click the [Install Now] button to
continue.
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Nothing more than a
bit of eye candy while background processes are
running. |
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Notification temporary
files are being copied. |
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Another notification
screen setup is beginning. |
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If you want to get the
latest updates for the installation this is the time
and place. |
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Don't be alarmed if
this screen hangs around for quite some time while
installation updates and drivers are downloaded. At
times it moves along pretty quickly, but I have seen
the installation pause here for 15 minutes or even
longer. |
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It's quite likely
you'll never see an operating system selection
screen listing the different operating systems
available.
Most DVD's are tied to a specific version by way of
the supplied activation key, and instead of
displaying this screen, you are taken directly to
the license terms screen shown below.
The question is frequently asked what version
Windows 7 DVD I'm using in this screen capture that
allows all the different x86 versions to be visible
on the same DVD. It's a specially modified DVD I
made from a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade DVD. Go
here for instructions on how to modify and burn your
own version. |
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The infamous
[Microsoft Software License Terms] screen where
you're reminded that even though you paid for the
operating system with your hard earned money, you
can't do a damn thing with it unless you agree to
Microsoft's license terms to light up that little
[Next] button. |
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Select the type of
installation you want to perform.
In this scenario it's going to be a [Upgrade]
installation. |
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There are a
number of compatibility checks that take
place during the course of the installation
setup. Sometimes you'll see the screen at
left signaling a check, other times it
flashes by so quick it's unnoticed.
If there are any issues that need to be
dealt with before the installation can
continue you'll see a Compatibility Report
similar to the one at right talking about
the need for a service pack to be installed
before the Vista upgrade to Windows 7 can
continue. |
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That's it for the
moment. The installation program will work through
each of the steps along with a few system restarts.
No user intervention is required during this phase
of the installation. |
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I strongly suggest you
not enter your product key at this
point and uncheck the box for automatic activation.
At the minimum you have 30 days to evaluate and test
the installation before activation is required. Take
advantage of it to test, modify, and possibly even
reinstall the operating system if necessary. |
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I remain a huge
proponent of not giving away the keys to the update
kingdom by giving anyone the right to update your
system without you giving specific approval of each
and every update. Obviously my choice here is going
to be [Ask Me Later] when you can give permission to
be notified when updates are available without
committing to their download and installation until
you have a chance to review them first. |
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Nothing to say here
-- it's setting the time and date for crying out
loud. |
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Assuming the
installation detects the computer is connected to a
network you'll see this screen where you have the
option of selecting different network locations. |
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Once you select the
location for the network in the previous step the
appropriate network settings are applied. |
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| That's
it. A few minutes later you'll see the Windows 7
desktop with - hopefully - everything upgraded and
working. |
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