How to Upgrade to Windows 7

Posted on October 27th, 2009 by Marck

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The world is abuzz with the recent introduction of Windows 7: Microsoft’s latest operating system. Windows 7 has been getting rave reviews among many users for its versatility, usability, and aesthetics. If you want to upgrade to Windows 7 from an older operating system, or if you want to perform a clean install of Windows 7, here are the steps you need to take.

Why Upgrade to Windows 7?

Windows 7 is the latest installment to the very successful Microsoft Windows operating system. Windows 7 was released to the public on October 22, 2009, after a series of release candidates for developers to test on beta. Windows 7 incorporates many of the aesthetics and utilities of previous Microsoft Windows releases (Windows Vista, in particular) and includes many improvements to the shortcomings and limitations of other operating systems under the Windows franchise.

While it’s not necessary to upgrade to Windows 7 now as long as you find your version of Windows usable for you, you may need to consider some of the features of Windows 7:

A revamped new taskbar and Start menu where you can pin applications to the bar, instead of relying on QuickLaunch.
Improved start-up and shut-down time.
Improved performance on many core and supported applications.
Compatibility issues with hardware and software in previous releases of Windows have already been addressed.

Before upgrading to Windows 7 or performing a clean install, you should always back up your files, settings, and programs. Remember that some of these programs and file formats may not be supported by the newest iteration of the Windows operating system, but it’s better to play it safe and preserve as much as you can of the content and settings of your files. You should also use a legal copy of Microsoft Windows 7 to prevent any issues with copyright or functionality.

Upgrade from Windows Vista

An upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista allows you to retain your files, programs, and settings. To upgrade to Windows 7 from Vista, follow these steps:

Set your BIOS to boot from the CD/DVD drive. You need to restart your computer, press F2 during the start-up sequence, and set the boot sequence in such a way that the computer recognizes the CD/DVD drive as the primary booting device.
Insert the Windows 7 DVD into the drive, and save all changes.
The Windows 7 Install screen should appear. Choose the “Upgrade” option.
The upgrade process will take a while to complete, so be patient. Once the upgrade process is finished, the computer will restart, and you will then be taken to the Windows 7 operating system.

Clean Install

It is highly recommended for most users to perform a clean install of Windows 7 instead of upgrading. A clean install deletes all of your previous settings, and moves them to a directory (usually Windows.old) so that you can retrieve them later (you may also delete this directory if you already have backups of your files, programs, and settings). To perform a clean install, follow these steps:

Set the BIOS to boot from the CD/DVD drive.
Insert the Windows 7 DVD into the drive.
When the Install screen prompts you to choose an installation method, click “Clean Install.”
The installation process will take a while to complete, depending on the specifications of your computer. Windows 7 will load once you have completed the process.

Windows 7 is a very useful operating system for users who wish to have the versatility and usability they missed out on on previous versions of Windows. With these steps, you can ride along with Microsoft’s latest offering in its line-up of operating systems.