Ron Schenone

Upgrading Windows XP To Windows 7 – Nope

Posted by on Jan 29, 2009 | 6 Comments

Though Microsoft has not mentioned a word about pricing, already we are facing some minor confusion concerning the upgrade process. First of all we need to clarify the difference between an ‘upgrade’ and a ‘full version’ of Window, An ‘upgrade’ is performed to leave your current settings intact. A ‘full version’ means you need to backup your stuff and after a clean install of Windows, restore your stuff.

Most techies know that an upgrade usually doesn’t work well, leaves to much junk behind, and is not recommended. There was also a known fact that ‘upgrade’ versions of Windows were actually the ‘full version’ at a lower price. Once a user verified the fact he had a copy of the older Windows a full install could be made using the ‘upgrade’. With Vista there was no confirmation needed and Microsoft also offered a System Builder version which was cheaper than all other versions.

Microsoft states the following for Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrade rights:

“Microsoft remains committed to making the transition to Windows 7 easier for all customers. With tools, guidance, and the work we’re doing with industry partners it is our belief that this will be an improved process . Furthermore, we expect most customers who upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 will be doing so through the purchase of a new computer, thereby making the upgrade virtually effortless. That said, Windows XP customers planning to upgrade to Windows 7 will need to perform a clean installation.”

So it seems that Microsoft expects few upgrades from XP to 7, since many XP users had a failed install when trying to go to Vista.

Comments welcome.

Source.

  • http://www.diamondonnet.com/ Diamonds

    Upgrading is never a good thing, a lot of things could go wrong but if you really want to do this, better backup everything first otherwise you will be sorry.

  • http://www.allancarterphotography.com Photographer

    I’m still on Xp and still getting updates. I didn’t go to Vista because I didn’t want to go through years of debugging and patching again.
    Will Windows 7 mean more years of torture, with my older software programs not working. Can I afford the risk?
    I’ll let the others be the beta testers and I’ll stick with XP until its properly tested.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Thanks for the comments.

  • http://www.perfectdayplanners.com/blog Robert M

    No thanks, no user is advised to upgrade to Win 7 until the sp1 appears, it has become a tradition to MS to release software not ready for the market, not properly tested with different environments and with hundreds of security holes

  • XP

    I have tried many of the operating systems and I like Windows XP the best. The graphics are great and everything is fast. I am sticking with this for now, however, people who wants an upgrade should do a full install. I know I always feel better knowing I have a clean hard drive.

  • Christopher Drust

    Well as I feel this way…. There are so mNY THINGS THt we as end users have no control over when it comes to the practice of using a Windows OS and I for the life of me cannot understand why Microsoft would decide to not allow me to upgrade from Windows XP pro to Windows 7 Because they feel that the majority of people are going to buy a new computer so that the compatibility issues for the most part don’t or won’t exist. I cannot believe that they are not giving users of a legal fully bought and paid for piece of softwere to simply upgrade to the next level of the OS. Maybe the GOvernment was right bringing on that lawsuit years ago as far as Microsoft being a Monopoly? well No matter in my home anymore anyway. I have decided to upgrade to something that Microsoft has no control over, I GOT A MAC!! While I still have 1 machine in my house that does run XP, XP will be the last version of Windows I use. I have had my iMAC for 6 months now and had absolutely no problems with it. The original price of my mac was similar to that of my windows Machine and the OS software for the Mac is $129.00 for the full version as compared to over $400.00 for some of the Windows OS Flavors. As a last note the upgrade for me in September to the newest version of OSX for MAC will cost me as an upgrade $29.00. Microsoft should take heed to some of Apples practices as the Box that the OS comes in for a Microsoft Product no matter what the title is costs more then $29.00.