Should I keep waiting for the Win7 upgrade or move on?
January 18, 2010 9:26 AM Subscribe
Request for advice: Should I keep waiting for my Windows 7 upgrade before I load up my shiny new PC?
In December I purchased a new PC from the Lenovo outlet. It came with XP loaded, downgraded from Vista, eligible for the free Windows 7 upgrade.
My plan was to continue using my old PC for the time being, then do a clean install when Win 7 arrived before loading all of my software and swapping myself out to the new machine. Problem: though I ordered the upgrade several weeks ago it hasn't even been shipped yet. Ouch. Reading forums I understand I can expect to wait a long time for my $17 free upgrade.
So should I revise the plan? Conceivably I can use the restore disks that came with the machine to bring it to Vista, which I have never used, load software, use, then upgrade when 7 arrives. Or I can follow the instructions on Lifehacker and in other places to do the more complicated XP to 7 upgrade, which I am a little concerned is beyond my capabilities. Or something else?
Any advice for me?
In December I purchased a new PC from the Lenovo outlet. It came with XP loaded, downgraded from Vista, eligible for the free Windows 7 upgrade.
My plan was to continue using my old PC for the time being, then do a clean install when Win 7 arrived before loading all of my software and swapping myself out to the new machine. Problem: though I ordered the upgrade several weeks ago it hasn't even been shipped yet. Ouch. Reading forums I understand I can expect to wait a long time for my $17 free upgrade.
So should I revise the plan? Conceivably I can use the restore disks that came with the machine to bring it to Vista, which I have never used, load software, use, then upgrade when 7 arrives. Or I can follow the instructions on Lifehacker and in other places to do the more complicated XP to 7 upgrade, which I am a little concerned is beyond my capabilities. Or something else?
Any advice for me?
Yeah, reading fail there. You already get the need to have an OS running bit. Never mind...
posted by COD at 9:53 AM on January 18, 2010
posted by COD at 9:53 AM on January 18, 2010
That isn't strictly true; even if you have an upgrade disk if you have your serial from whatever the previous windows you have installed is you can do a clean install and then call Microsoft with both keys and they will activate your installation. I just did this for my mother. I highly recommend a clean install any time you change OSes.
Also the XP -> 7 path I've heard is a mess and not worth futzing with. The Vista -> 7 might be smoother.
posted by zennoshinjou at 10:22 AM on January 18, 2010
Also the XP -> 7 path I've heard is a mess and not worth futzing with. The Vista -> 7 might be smoother.
posted by zennoshinjou at 10:22 AM on January 18, 2010
The Vista > 7 upgrade is very easy.
7 resembles Vista, though rather nicer.
If it were me, I would carry on with XP until the upgrade arrives, then do a system backup to an external drive (saves program & personal files).
See if the $17 upgrade comes with instructions for upgrading directly to 7; if they are over your head, then I would:
1. backup as mentioned
2. migrate to vista
3. upgrade to 7.
4. if your data was not maintained (not sure if #2 involves wiping the drive, it might not), update from backup.
posted by Billegible at 10:24 AM on January 18, 2010
7 resembles Vista, though rather nicer.
If it were me, I would carry on with XP until the upgrade arrives, then do a system backup to an external drive (saves program & personal files).
See if the $17 upgrade comes with instructions for upgrading directly to 7; if they are over your head, then I would:
1. backup as mentioned
2. migrate to vista
3. upgrade to 7.
4. if your data was not maintained (not sure if #2 involves wiping the drive, it might not), update from backup.
posted by Billegible at 10:24 AM on January 18, 2010
yikes, don't upgrade xp -> 7. Don't upgrade Vista -> 7 unless you have to. Upgrading always leaves crap behind, clean installs are much better.
Do you know what version of 7 you're getting (home premium etc?). You can either grab a disk from a friend or I think even from microsoft, running it in evaluation mode for 30 days, then input your key when your license/disk arrives. (Extend the evaluation period up to 120 days using http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/extend-the-windows-7-trial-from-30-to-120-days/)
posted by defcom1 at 5:29 PM on January 18, 2010
Do you know what version of 7 you're getting (home premium etc?). You can either grab a disk from a friend or I think even from microsoft, running it in evaluation mode for 30 days, then input your key when your license/disk arrives. (Extend the evaluation period up to 120 days using http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/extend-the-windows-7-trial-from-30-to-120-days/)
posted by defcom1 at 5:29 PM on January 18, 2010
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posted by COD at 9:40 AM on January 18, 2010