Support Firms, Independent Observers, Encourage Wait and See Attitude Toward Windows 7

Knowing that change is always a problem, and that the size of any problems is directly proportional to the amount of change, it is no wonder that many independent voices are coming up with cautions on the upgrade to Windows 7.

As someone who learns the lesson vicariously each time Windows is updated, I would say that the main problem is that Microsoft, for all their ability to deliver a great product at times, has always been less than good at bringing a product to market that is simple to upgrade. Conservatively, I would say that for every successful “in-place upgrade”, I can show you 50 or more unsuccessful ones. It has been this way throughout the lifespan of the Windows product. The main reason is the registry. If you think that Microsoft is getting rid of the registry anytime soon, you are delusional. Learning to live with it is the best way to get by.

Remember, this is not a Windows bash article. This is the truth as I have seen it, over the last 16 years of Windows and Windows upgrades. Also, some free, or cheap add-ins have made my major objections to Windows 7 mostly evaporate, and the eye-candy is finally bringing me over to the dark side! (g)

My suggestion, as a long time Windows user, and more importantly, Windows repairer, is do not do an in-place upgrade. No matter if it is supported or not. The small amount of trouble now with the proper backup of all user data, and then re-install of programs later, will prevent many hours, if not complete days, of frustration later.

If you are willing, and capable, doing a Windows 7 upgrade this way is recommended if upgrading is your aim. (If you plan to wait, for whatever your reason, I am the last one to criticize – I plan to be using Windows XP on a couple of machines until at least 2014, if the hardware holds out!) Since there will only be minimal efforts by Microsoft to repair these problems (many truthfully not the fault of Microsoft, and in any case, exceedingly difficult to reproduce) it will do little good to wait, unless you expect to use this wait time to accustom yourself with the changes in the ways that the different versions of Windows work.

Tip: If you can, in any way, afford to purchase another hard drive, installing Windows 7 on it, and leaving your other version and programs on the original drive, you could work, as able (and at your own pace), with the new, while retaining the old as a complete backup. It would allow the work on each program used in daily work to be migrated individually over time, and if any problems are encountered, going back to what is known, working, and comfortable. It is the closest thing to a pilot project that any home or small business user will ever see, and it will be an effort that pays off with big rewards.

An article in Maximum PC gives the reasoning for waiting -

National computer repair outfit Rescuecom admits “there are some compelling reasons for both business and home users to move to Windows 7, but is also cautioning Windows users not to be in such a rush to upgrade until the dust settles (and bugs are squashed).

“Transferring all their data, their digital life essentially, is one of the most common, most troubling issues that users have,” said Josh Kaplan, president of Rescuecom. “Even if you’re doing an in-place [upgrade], if you don’t have a proper backup, you’re still at risk. Without the proper preparation, moving ot a new OS is risky for anybody.”

According to Kaplan, putting off an upgrade until a later date sports several advantages. Drivers will inevitably mature as more computers are designed for Windows 7, and upcoming patches will help ensure a safer upgrade. But those weren’t the only reasons Kaplans says Windows users should sit tight.

“Given the economy, is that really a necessary expense right?,” Kaplan questions when referring to the price of Windows 7.

The above reasoning is sound, to a point. But since I believe that at least 70% of the problems currently encountered are the result of in-place upgrades, avoiding them like the plague improves your chances of happiness and success in a major way.

If you do the two drive solution,you will be in no hurry to remove, or wipe that second drive (the original one, containing your original data) and can wait months before making the final change – in that time, many updates,  for Windows 7, for drivers that your hardware uses, for the programs you currently use, and changes to the way you work, will be allowed to occur, over time, and in a kinder, gentler fashion.

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Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into a even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose. Winston Churchill

My guess is that his handicap was high…

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works the same, no matter the version of Windows you use!