Backup before upgrading from Vista to Windows 7?

Question

Backup before upgrading from Vista to Windows 7?

Answer 1

I recommend a clean install because upgrading can lead to some problems down the line. If you want to backup your files just until the install is done you can always sign up for a trial to an online backup service. That way you won't need an external hard drive or DVDs. You can check out two below.



http://cg5.the-antagonist.com/?p=90

Answer 2

You should always backup anything critical just in case.



If you select the upgrade option during install, it should transfer over your files, programs, and settings.



Windows 7 remains in testing phases, however, and every now and then issues crop with with upgrades that don't show up with fresh installs.



Though it shouldn't wipe your files if you do indeed upgrade, you should expect there's a decent chance it might occur, or that you might even encounter an unexpected crash shortly after upgrade if there's a compatibility issue.

Answer 3

yes, Windows 7 will let you upgrade, letting you keep you same license key, but it deletes all your files, so yes you should back up.

Answer 4

you should dual boot windows 7 RC in case you don't like it

http://lifehacker.com/5126781/how-to-dual-boot-windows-7-with-xp-or-vista

Answer 5

Always backup (the important things) before you upgrade. You should have a periodic backup as well, esp. on a laptop.



It's usually better to do a full install, but if you only have a backup disk, then it shouldn'l wipe out your files but you never know what can go wrong.

Answer 6

Hi, It is good computing practice to backup your complete system periodically. This is even more important if you are planning to upgrade to a new OS.

Answer 7

It depends which mode you select when installing Windows 7. I suggest doing the clean install of it just because upgrading it doesn't always work that well. I would recommend backup up your files and installing W7 clean.



If you have a large amount of files to back up and don't want to do it, just use the upgrade option when installing it.

Answer 8

Back it up:



when i upgraded to vista i didn't bother



oops



big mistake



no more files



lol



gd luk

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

Its always safe to backup. so i say do it just in case, it wont kill you and it would save you a lot of trouble if you DID end up losing your stuff.

Answer 11

Here is the easiest solution, if your budget allows. Buy a new hard drive and a USB enclosure. You can get these at CompUSA or online. Remove the hard drive that has Vista installed, and install the brand new drive in your computer, and install W7 on it. Take the old drive and place it in the USB enclosure. Now all your data is safe and you can copy files from your old drive to your new one via USB. If you decide to roll back to Vista, just switch the old drive back in. If you like W7 and you want to stay, you have a backup drive now :) You can get a drive for $50 and an enclosure for less than $20.

Answer 12

The best way to transfer all your files and folders and settings (email accounts address books Internet Favorites and so on) is to use the Windows Easy Transfer Tool. Both Vista and XP have this tool however if your using XP then I would recommend just drag and dropping all the folders (folders not individual files) onto a 500GB Memory stick and then transferring them that way as the settings in XP are completely different to Vista and Windows 7. If you are already using Windows Vista the Windows Easy Transfer Tool is the best way to do it. You will still need a 500GB memory stick but it will make switching to Windows 7 a Whole lot easier. Alternatively you can make a partition on your Disk and then transfer all of the folders you want to keep into that partition. Then install Windows 7 (but do not delete the partition that you have just created) and format your C:\ drive and your D:\ drive in the normal way when you get to that point in the install. It is also worth noting here that unless you have only purchased and "upgrade" version of Windows 7 you will be better doing as clean install (leave your partitions INCLUDING THE NEW ONE YOU JUST CREATED EARLIER) and just format your C:\ and D:\ partitions: while leaving the new partition that you have just created to store all your old files on.

Answer 13

ALWAYS backup your files when you upgrade an operating system. TRUST ME :-|