Microsoft will be supporting Vista to Windows 7 upgrades. (For free upgrades look below). I’m discussing updates from Windows Vista to 7 that are not fresh installs – for those see the end of the post.

To Upgrade Vista to 7

1. Decide what version of Windows 7 you want to upgrade to.
2. Buy a cheaper ‘upgrade’ license for Windows 7 (since you’re already running Vista).
3. Start the installation procedure, and choose Upgrade when you are presented with the choice.
4. The installation takes 25 minutes to an hour. 
5. Your version of Windows Vista will now be upgraded to Windows 7 and all your files and software programs should work.  
6. For the exact steps the install goes through take a look at this Installing Windows 7 Beta post. Start from Step 6.

In actuality, some programs might not be compatible with windows 7. What I found with the Windows 7 Beta is that most programs worked – I did have problems with Skype, and then upgraded to the Skype 4.0 Beta and it worked perfectly.

Free Windows Vista to Windows 7 Upgrade Program – Post July 1st, 2009 Vista Purchases eligible for Free Upgrade to Windows 7

If you buy a PC with Vista pre-installed after July 1st, then (provided your OEM has allowed for this option), you can upgrade for free to Windows 7. Some of these details are courtesy TechArp -

1. It must be a new PC that is pre-installed with an eligible Windows Vista Operating System (OS), during the program eligibility window (OEM’s can make this shorter than the July 1st to Unknown Date window).
2. The PC must have a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached.
3. There are only 3 Vista versions eligible, and only three upgrade paths –

1. Windows Vista® Home Premium -> Windows® 7 Home Premium
2. Windows Vista® Business -> Windows® 7 Professional
3. Windows Vista® Ultimate -> Windows® 7 Ultimate
4. Home Basic, Vista Starter Edition, and Windows XP (all editions) are not eligible.

The program is basically designed to make sure that people don’t stop buying Vista in anticipation of Windows 7. Good luck with that!

Doing a Fresh Install of Windows 7 if you have Windows Vista

If you do a clean install in a drive that already has Vista installed, then all the files in the Windows folder are moved to a folder called Windows.Old. All your applications and files are there, and –

1. You can access your files as you like.
2. To run programs you had installed in Vista under 7, you will have to reinstall them under 7.
3. If you want to dual boot your Computer i.e. choose to run either 7 or Vista every time you start your computer, then you must install Windows 7 to a different drive than Vista.

Please leave a comment if you have questions. Hopefully this post helps you do a smooth upgrade from Vista to Windows 7.

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Filed under: Windows7 Vs Vista