Steps for Upgrading to Windows 7
Here’s what you’ll need to do to upgrade from Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7:
Use the Upgrade Advisor: Microsoft’s free Upgrade Advisor is an essential tool to download and install before upgrading to Windows 7. The Upgrade Advisor tells you which steps you need to take before upgrading, including whether your computer meets the hardware specs necessary for Windows 7 (for example, processors, and memory and graphics cards), what new drivers you’ll need, and if you have programs that aren’t compatible.
Back up your hard drive: This is the most important step you can take. Upgrades, although typically successful, are no sure thing. It is essential that you back up your documents, pictures, videos—anything that you don’t want to lose—to an external hard drive, thumb drive, USB drive, or an online backup service. Get a DVD rather than a downloaded copy: You’ll definitely want a full DVD copy of Windows 7 rather than downloading a copy from the internet and using that downloaded copy to upgrade. If your upgrade goes wrong, or if you need to reinstall the OS for some reason, you’ll be out of luck unless you have the DVD. Don’t use a pirated copy: The money you save by using an illegal, free copy will not be worth the expense in the end. Pirated copies are not eligible for upgrades, fixes, and patches, so when something goes wrong with your pirated copy of Windows 7, you won’t be able to get any help from Microsoft.
