Are you confident enough to go through a Windows 7 installation before the big launch on October 22?
Maybe you downloaded the ISO through the Microsoft download services like MSDN or TechNet. So burn that ISO (disc image) file to a blank DVD disc and lets get started.
There are a number of theoretical situations here, since Windows 7 will come out in 2 standard divisions (as with XP and Vista) — the 32-bit and the 64-bit. Assuming that you would want to go with the times and get the most out of Windows 7, we suggest you go with the 64-bit. There are a number of hardware and software caveats to this, but for now let us assume that your hardware — both for laptop and for desktop — is rated for Windows 7 64. There may be a number of other combinations here, but they will pretty much be on these patterns. (info from Engadget.com)
- From XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64 on a desktop
- From XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64 on a netbook
- Vista 64-bit to Windows 7 64 on a laptop
From XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64 on a desktop
Let us tell you right off the bat — and I’m sure you thought about it as well — that if you skipped jumping to Vista on your desktop, expect a little bit of discomfort in this process. WinXP 32-bit will not even display a dialog box within Windows if you attempt to do a straight upgrade process. So the process goes this way:
- Backup data
- Boot to Windows 7 installation disc
- Select “Custom Installation” and re-create primary drive partition(s)
- Patience (approximately 30 minutes)
- Re-configure OS and restore backups
When we say “backup your data”, we mean every single bit of important data you may have. And not just your personal ones, but you need to make sure that you have copies of all your drivers for hardware as well. This process will do a re-format of your partitions (obviously a pain if you weren’t planning on one) and start from scratch.
From XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64 on a netbook
Again, the straight upgrade path is not available for this process, so a backup will need to be made before the clean installation process. Just a note on this — Windows 7 requires 8GB of HDD space and recommends 16GB free for system use from your primary partition, so make sure that your netbook can hack it. As it is, you may just be left with a netbook with Windows 7 goodness, and little space for small apps.
If you don’t have an external DVD drive, then the process will be a little bit more complicated, as this requires an 8GB USB flash drive and using the DiskPart utility to reformat your flash drive and put the Windows 7 install files in. Fortunately for us, Microsoft has given exact details on how to install Windows 7 from thumb drives. The process goes like this:
- Backup data
- Prepare thumb drive or other external storage with DiskPart utility
- Copy Windows 7 installation files
- Boot to external storage
- Select “Custom Installation” and re-create primary drive partition(s)
- Patience (about an hour)
- Re-configure OS and restore backup
The process of getting your netbook configuration just about right will probably take an hour and a bit — especially if you go through the components and try to lose the stuff you won’t need on your netbook. Space is now a real resource here so we recommend you get rid of non-essential components such as Games, DVD maker, Media Center, etc.
Vista 64-bit to Windows 7 64 on a laptop
The real prize of jumping to Vista — if there ever was one — is the ease of transition to Windows 7. The “upgrade-in-place” or the straight upgrade process now comes into play, and you now have a choice between a clean install (with reformat) and the straight upgrade.
The latter process has the advantage of having the process carry over to Windows 7 your user details such as documents, bookmarks and settings — and your iTunes library if you have one. This however lengthens the process, as it takes a solid hour just for the process to finish. Here’s how it goes:
- Backup data (always a very good idea)
- Insert Windows 7 disc and click “upgrade”
- Patience (about an hour)
- Double-check everything works
Hardware Caveats
As much as hardware manufacturers are racing against time to have their drivers ready by the October 22 launch date, doing the install now will have its consequences — namely, some of your hardware might not have drivers that work with Windows 7.
There are a number of things that Microsoft is doing right this time (remember the driver issues with the Vista launch?) — after installation and configuration, running a Windows Update has now a greater chance of finding that missing driver for you. Some 3rd party hardware websites have Windows 7 drivers already, and it is always good to check those out for updated drivers.
If you upgraded to Vista and have a piece of hardware that never worked after XP, don’t expect it to miraculously work with Windows 7. As it is, some USB hubs, media card readers, TV tuners and other accessories might still have driver issues, and it is reasonable to expect those at this time.
Read the full installation reports at Engadget.com.
*Credit Engadget as well for the installation images
Watch out for more Windows 7 details and updates from MacPCWiz.
