XP to Windows 7

[Shad0wstr1k3]

Hey I was wondering if it is possible to update your XP to Windows 7. I want to update, but I want to keep all my games and not run 2 operating systems.

Sorry if this question is retarded or if it has been asked somewhere else.

[ShellShok]

As far as I know, it is possible but is not advised because of the incompatibility of some programs with Windows 7.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong :P

[Shad0wstr1k3]

Thanks man

As far as I know all my steam and new games will work so thats cool, also can't you run games in "XP compatibility mode"

Like ShellShock said, correct me if I'm wrong

[goleastro]

Yes you can run the games in windows xp sp3 mode.

I went from windows xp to windows 7 (full format) and there is noways that i am going to touch xp again. I kept all my games saved files and just transfered them back once i had reinstalled my games.

[Interfan]

Just be carefull with any game that is games for windows live. Lost all my save games for batman and street fighter. Everything else its easy to just copy the save games back but that system causes major headaches.

[Shad0wstr1k3]

So you say I back up my saves and reformat, isn't it possible to update and keep all your data without still having XP?

[Interfan]

Originally Posted by Shad0wstr1k3

So you say I back up my saves and reformat, isn't it possible to update and keep all your data without still having XP?

From xp to win 7 you must do a clean install. There maybe work arounds but its not recommended.

[Shad0wstr1k3]

And from XP to Vista, is a clean install necessary?

How about from Vista to 7?

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by Shad0wstr1k3

And from XP to Vista, is a clean install necessary? How about from Vista to 7?

Upgrading from Vista to 7 (of the same model, eg. Business to Professional), is usually a very smooth process, but people have been experiencing a few glitches here and there because programs don't want to play nice anymore, but that's to be expected. The upgrade process is smooth because Vista and 7 share the same kernel, making things less of a hassle.

With XP, it's recommended you do a clean install. In fact, the upgrade discs from XP to 7 are just normal versions because they do a complete format anyway. There's no similarity between the two kernels, and even if you do get the upgrade process working like other diligent souls on the internet have, you're bound to run into problems. Likewise, those XP downgrade discs sold with Vista Business? They do a complete format as well. If you really want to, though, you can upgrade from XP to Vista, and from Vista to 7, kind of like how most people on Windows 95 had to do to move to XP in the old days.

[no_fear]

Hm. When I installed the 7 beta I just put the cd in and it installed it over. Haven't had any issues - it just backed up all my old stuff into a folder. Granted it's not the best way to go about it but hey. When I get my proper copy of 7 then I'l bother with full format :P

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by no_fear

Hm. When I installed the 7 beta I just put the cd in and it installed it over. Haven't had any issues - it just backed up all my old stuff into a folder. Granted it's not the best way to go about it but hey. When I get my proper copy of 7 then I'l bother with full format :P

An install over XP? Interesting. I did forget to mention the Windows.Old folder though, thanks. Its just the applications that'll need to be re-installed, the data might still still go into the Windows.Old folder. Then again, I've never actually tried the upgrade process.

[no_fear]

I actually managed to run games out of the Windows.Old folder. And yes over XP. Just installed like a game almost. It's been running great

[Shad0wstr1k3]

So here's my cunning plan (cue groans). I use my brother's vista disk to upgrade from XP to vista, keeping all my applications and saves and that, then buy 7 and upgrade to 7 from vista!

Would this work, or would it be easier to back up my saves and whatever and do a clean install.

[Serminigo]

Yeah, you DO have to reformat in order to install 7 (as the others were saying). If you want to avoid this in the future, you can partition your hard drive to have the operating system and your files separated, so every time you want to reformat all you have to do is reformat the OS drive without losing any of your files.

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by Shad0wstr1k3

So here's my cunning plan (cue groans). I use my brother's vista disk to upgrade from XP to vista, keeping all my applications and saves and that, then buy 7 and upgrade to 7 from vista! Would this work, or would it be easier to back up my saves and whatever and do a clean install.

Ugh, so cumbersome. Just get 7, copy anything really, really important that absolutely cannot be lost, and just do an upgrade from there. If it works, hurrah! If it doesn't, at least you have everything saved elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Serminigo

Yeah, you DO have to reformat in order to install 7 (as the others were saying). If you want to avoid this in the future, you can partition your hard drive to have the operating system and your files separated, so every time you want to reformat all you have to do is reformat the OS drive without losing any of your files.

I do this for most machines that I have to install an operating system on. It works well, and only sometimes do I have problems with not seeing files or having to take ownership of them (like when I moved from XP to 7 on my old laptop).

[Shad0wstr1k3]

The problem is that I have a Bitdefender with 300 days left, starting again from scratch will be a waste of 300 days worth of protection!

[x-scon]

Does anyone know whether my RC Serial number will work with the RTM version? I never managed to download the RC but I can get my hands on the RTM(pirated) from a buddy. But I don't want to go down the illegal road again...

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by Shad0wstr1k3

The problem is that I have a Bitdefender with 300 days left, starting again from scratch will be a waste of 300 days worth of protection!

Don't you have a serial key for that? Surely you can contact Bitdefender and ask them about it?

Originally Posted by x-scon

Does anyone know whether my RC Serial number will work with the RTM version? I never managed to download the RC but I can get my hands on the RTM(pirated) from a buddy. But I don't want to go down the illegal road again...

The RC1 keys don't work for the RTM versions at all. You can get the RTM all the same and reset the 30 day's grace period until you get a proper CD key.

[x-scon]

Thanks Wesley.
Would resetting the 30day trial require re-installing? Apologies if you have covered this before.

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by x-scon

Thanks Wesley. Would resetting the 30day trial require re-installing? Apologies if you have covered this before.

No, it only requires entering a command and then rebooting. On the 29th day of the trial, start up command prompt and enter "slmgr -rearm". once rebooted, you can then use 7 (or Vista) for up to 120 days by doing this three times. After that, though, you have to buy a license key or do a re-install.