Can I upgrade from Windows Vista Business (x64) to Windows 7 Pro(x64) without having to reinstall all of my software? (and keep my files?)?

I recently upgraded my laptop from Windows Vista to Windows 7 so I thought I might be able to help you. Like you, I got a free copy of Windows 7 Professional from my university. I also had important programs, settings and files to keep (who doesn't?), so I faced the same problem too.

When installing Windows 7 from Vista, there are usually two options provided - upgrade and clean install. The upgrade option claims to keep your files, settings and programs. I personally do not use this option as I prefer a clean install.

A clean install is better in the sense that it gives you an opportunity to spring clean your PC. As a PC user, I'm sure you'll notice that your computer will get slower over time due to the amount of clutter on your PC.By doing a clean install, you will have to decide what you want to keep and what is considered "junk". Examples of junk files are temporary files, corrupted files and leftover files after uninstallation.

Another place that can easily get cluttered is your system registry.It's not easy to find and remove all these junk, so a clean install is the best way to get rid of all of them and start afresh. Perhaps you're not interested in the benefits that comes with a clean installation now and would like to use the upgrade option instead. I can't guarantee that the installer will do a perfect job in retaining all of your programs and such, but at least it claims to do what you want.So to prevent any faults, you should back up your data onto an external drive.

The three programs you mentioned - Visual Studio, Netbeans and SQL Server 2008 - can be easily reinstalled, so be sure to have the installation files handy. Usually your documents and settings are stored in the C:\Users\{your name} folder, so that might be the first thing you want to back up. Remember that if you're doing a clean install, everything on your C drive would be wiped out, so depending on the amount of external storage you have, you should consider backing up the whole drive if you're afraid of losing even the tiniest bit of data.

Let's say you've decided to install Windows 7. The previous answerer, @ohox did give some comprehensive guides, but these days even a major installation like this can't get even easier. After entering Windows Vista, you just have to pop in the Windows 7 disk (assuming you've burned it from the ISO file) and run Setup.

The wizard is fairly user friendly and will guide you through everything. Eventually you'll reach a screen like this:

This is where you'll need to choose Upgrade or Custom (advanced), the latter being a clean install. Choose whichever option you want and proceed to follow the on-screen instrctions.

Assuming you chose the Upgrade option and everything goes well, you'll have everything intact on your PC but with a new operating system. If somehow your settings were not retained or you've chosen a clean install, then you'll have to dig into your backed up files. The C:\Users\{your name}\AppData folder stores the settings used by most programs.

To restore your settings try copying the relevent backed up contents of your old AppData folder into your new one. If I'm not mistaken Visual Studio and NetBeans could function pretty well even if you lose your previous settings. I'm not sure about SQL Server, but I presume that since you know how to back up the databases, then you know how to restore them.

I think that's about it. Having installating Windows quite a few times already, this is no big deal for me. Once you have everything backed up, then you're safe.

There's always a way to get everything restored back in order once you have a copy of it. Good luck and I hope you'll enjoy using Windows 7!

The first time I try to install Windows Vista to 7, it said I can't do upgrading. But, as I try to search in the internet, they said they successfully upgrade from Vista to 7. Maybe you can upgrade from Windows Vista Business (x64) to Windows 7 Pro(x64) without any problems. If you haven't experienced in installing any OS (Windows), make sure you BACKUP all the data in your harddisk.

Ask for more experienced person in your office or in your city to do installation. If you insist to do it yourself, follow step by step in this site techtalkz.com/windows-7/514412-windows-7... this site provide good information engadget.com/2009/08/11/how-to-install-w... they said they have successfully upgrade Vista x64 to 7 x64. Some version of vista can't be upgraded to 7.

I don't know the reason but adobe.com provide you with install/upgrade matrix. http://kb2.Adobe.com/cps/508/cpsid_50853.html.

Yes you can upgrade it and there is no tutorial needed to do that. Windows 7 has a friendly installation wizard which is easy to follow. Upgrading is the easiest and fastest way but it's NOT the best way.

A clean installation is always better. To answer your question we need more details. You have partitions on your HDD?

Because if you do and you keep the programs on another partition than the one you use to store your OS, the programs will be safe. But if you don't and you choose a clean install, you have to backup all your files. Now, as I said to upgrade it it's easy.

Just follow the instructions. There is no way you can fail this. But if you decide to install a clean copy here is what you should do: 1.

Backup ALL the important files. Including movies, songs, etc... 2. When you start the installation you will be asked if you want to create a partition.

Choose YES and split the HDD in 2. 3. Keep the main partition to install Windows and the other one to install all the programs and store all the files you have.

This will prevent the hard work you will have to do if your Windows crashes. You will have one place for Windows only and one place for your programs and all important files. In the future you can install your OS without moving and backing up the files.

Take a look at the picture here. As you can see...I have 2 partitions: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44399808@N07/4426858888/ Local disk (C:) is where I keep my OS. Local disk (D:) is where I keep my files and programs.

If I have any problems with Windows, I just install a clean copy on C and my programs are kept safe on D. Now, if you decide to follow these steps, make sure the space you assign on C is at least 40GB. Up to 50.

I have only 20 because I don't install any Microsoft updates. Hope this helps and if you need any additional info let me know. Again, to upgrade and install it's easy.

But it’s not recommendable. Best regards, @vladis.

Considering the amount of software you have I would follow the golden rule only change operating system when you must. Your best option by far is a virtual solution. The new VMware player is excellent and allows creation of custom virtual machine this will allow you to gain personal experience of the installation of windows 7 before you move maybe 100 gigabytes of software to it.

Even if you used say Mypassport back up storage solution there is still a risk of data loss. In education this time of year should be stable not risking all your years work in late spring. When this upgrade could be timed for autumn, before new assignments start and you would have experience of using windows 7 virtually.

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