Windows vista 7 upgrade path

In an attempt to smooth things out for our readers, we've created a condensed, easy-to-digest reference with all of the potential upgrade paths. Note that if your desired path isn't included in the table below, you will have to run a fresh install -- this includes Windows XP and Windows Vista Starter users. Also realize that you can't mix architectures if you want to upgrade without a clean install. In other words, if you are presently running a bit copy of Windows, you must upgrade to a bit version of Windows 7 likewise with bit.

There are a couple more things worth noting here. Windows XP users are not limited in the version of Windows 7 they can upgrade to via a clean install. Additionally, users of XP may have a possible path to Windows 7, if absolutely necessary, though it's less than recommended. However, it is claimed that you can pay the extra and go upmarket from Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate.

Let us hope that the upgrade cost is much less in Windows 7. The point is that because WSUS does not do this for non-Microsoft software updates, you need a good add-on to take care of this task.

With the Patch Manager you can even create your own packages to apply to your servers or clients. Download your free trial of SolarWinds Patch Manager. Say what you will about Microsoft, their installs are always smooth, moreover, they are innovative in providing upgrade tools.

Our trouble is that we only upgrade once every few years, thus forget what help is at hand, here are a few of my favorite utilities:. Gung-ho types back up only their data files, while those flying by the seat of their pants backup their only user settings. Mr Organized, on the other hand, backs up his entire system. Your best friend, before, during and after promoting a Vista computer is the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

I found that this free Microsoft utility is uncanny in its ability to predict driver conflicts, and to recommend uninstalling programs before continuing with the upgrade. This program is well worth running even if you are just thinking about upgrading. At the other end of the scale, it provides useful troubleshooting advice if Windows 7 does not perform correctly once you have upgraded.

Here is where you can download a free copy of the Windows 7 upgrade advisor. There are two distinct phases to this tool, ScanState which takes a snapshot of your present Vista or XP files and rolls them up into a single file. XP Pro X64 has been such a strange bird that it's not surprising that no upgrades are permitted, even though all versions of Vista discussed here include bit and bit versions. The Windows workstation version, Professional, likely presented such complex issues that an upgrade was ruled out.

This is no doubt further rationalized by Microsoft based on the fact that the Windows product line is no longer supported by Microsoft except under a special contract between the company and Win2K owners. If you buy a new machine, it will probably have Vista pre-installed. However, if you have to install a fresh copy of Windows Vista or upgrade an XP machine, Microsoft has made the operation even simpler than an XP install.

All you need is the installation optical disk and product key, which is usually on the back of the CD or underneath the Perspex holder. You can upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or a later operating system.

This includes upgrading from one release of Windows 10 to later release of Windows Migrating from one edition of Windows 10 to a different edition of the same release is also supported.

If you are also migrating to a different edition of Windows, see Windows 10 edition upgrade. Methods and supported paths are described on this page to change the edition of Windows. These methods require that you input a license or product key for the new Windows edition prior to starting the upgrade process.

Edition downgrade is also supported for some paths, but please note that applications and settings are not maintained when the Windows edition is downgraded. Windows 10 version upgrade : You can directly upgrade any General Availability Channel version of Windows 10 to a newer, supported General Availability Channel version of Windows 10, even if it involves skipping versions. Work with your account representative if your current version of Windows is out of support.