Software

[Question76167]

I am running Windows XP Home. Can I buy the Windows 7 Pro upgrade?

[roparadi]

Thanks for bringing your question to the forums!

You do qualify to use the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade version if you're currently running Windows XP on the machine you wish to upgrade.  The catch is that you must do a clean install when you do the upgrade.  This means that you would have to reinstall all your programs, and you'll want to backup all of your files before you start.  I would also recommend that you run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor that Microsoft supplies at no charge to see if your system has any compatibility concerns.

If you need help with any of the steps, feel free to connect with us online by clicking my banner below, or asking the technicians at any store.  Hope this helps!

[Jeff_Windows]

As Robert said, you do qualify for upgrade pricing. When it comes time to perform the clean installation, these instructions are quite clear as to what must be done: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7

Thanks for your interest in Windows 7!

[PhilP]

There's a product called Zinstall XP7, that, after you install Windows 7, can restore all your XP apps, settings and data!

I don't know if ConnectPro use that, but you can even do it yourself, it's pretty easy.

Hope this helps!

[roparadi]

ConnectPro(and Future Shop) does not use or sell Zinstall XP7. I haven't used it, but what I've seen of it is that it's a virtual machine.  Virtual machines have alot of limitations still, most apparent being speed and compatibility.  I can't comment on how effective or reliable it is in the transfer, as I've never personally used it, but I've used other more widespread virtual machine implementations and they all suffer from those drawbacks because of how they work.  I'd suggest not using it unless you have a specific need to, such as having some applications that aren't Windows 7 compatible and they don't have updates to make them compatible, nor do they have comparable alternatives that are Windows 7 compatible.  Most people don't need a virtual machine.

Message Edited by roparadi on 09-12-2009 03:52 PM

[PhilP]

I've used it for my own upgrade, and it's pretty slick...

I know that it doesn't require Windows 7 Ultimate and doesn't require specific hardware like XP Mode does (one of the reasons I found Zinstall in the first place).

From my experience, it all worked out fine, transfer-wise and reliability-wise. I don't know if that is just my good luck, but I did not see any problems at all.

And it's easy to use. Just saves SO much time you would spend on reinstalls.

Anyway, that's why I recommended it in the first place. I didn't know it's not available on Future Shop, sorry...

[Jeff_Windows]

As a precaution I would always have a backup of your important data before you move from XP to 7, regardless of whether or not you follow the instructions I shared or this other product that has been suggested.

"You can only lose what you don't backup."