Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7

Introduced

Depending on your hardware and the current version of Windows Vista, you can upgrade from Windows Vista to a corresponding or later version of Windows 7 using the Upgrade option during Windows 7 Setup.

Upgrading is the easiest way to get Windows 7 on your computer because it retains files, settings, and programs in Windows Vista in its original location.

If you cannot upgrade from the current version of Windows Vista to the version of Windows 7 that you want to use, you can still use the Custom installation option to install Windows 7. However, the custom option does not retain your files, programs, or settings.

Ensure that your programs and devices are available for Windows 7

Because your computer is running Windows Vista, it meets the system requirements required to run Windows 7. However, we still recommend that you download and run free Windows 7 from the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Web page on the Microsoft Web site. The software identifies potential problems with computer hardware, devices, or programs that may affect Windows 7 installations, and provides operational advice.

Next: Learn about the upgrade options for Windows 7.

Step 1: Which version of Windows 7 can I upgrade to?

The following table shows which versions of Windows Vista can be upgraded to Windows 7. Keep in mind that if you cannot use the Upgrade option to upgrade to the version of Windows 7 that you want to use, you can still use the Custom installation option.

The upgrade option uses the upgrade copy of Windows 7 or a full product copy. This information is located on the front of the Windows 70 Sales Edition box or on an online sales receipt.

	Windows 7 Home Advanced Edition	Windows 7 Professional Edition	Windows 7 flagship
Windows Vista Home Normal edition
Windows Vista Home Advanced Edition
Windows Vista Commercial Edition
Windows Vista Flagship Edition

32-bit or 64-bit: Which version of Windows 7 do you want to install?

If you are running a 32-bit version of Windows Vista, you can only upgrade to a 32-bit version of Windows 7. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you can only upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows 7. Otherwise, you will need to use the Custom option to install Windows 7.

The 32-bit and 64-bit installation discs are included in the Windows 7 box. Compared to 32-bit operating systems, a 64-bit operating system can handle large amounts of memory more efficiently, typically 4 GB or more of random access memory (RAM). But not all computers support 64-bit.

To find out which Windows 7 installation CD You can use, do the following:

Open performance Information and tools by clicking the Start button, then Control Panel, System and maintenance, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools.

Click View and print details.

Under System, you can see the type of operating system that is currently running next to system type and see if you can run a 64-bit version of Windows next to support 64 bits.

If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you will not see the list of items that support 64-bit.

What if you can't select the Upgrade option?

Some versions of Windows cannot be upgraded with the installation CD you are trying to use. For example, you cannot upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version, or you cannot upgrade from a newer version of Windows (such as the flagship of Windows Vista) to a lower version of Windows 7, such as a home Advanced edition. In this case, you need to use the Custom option during the installation process.

However, unlike the upgrade option, the Custom option does not retain your files, settings, or programs. You need to back up the files and settings before you install Windows 7 and restore them after the installation is complete, and you will also need to reinstall the program with the original installation disc or installation file.

Next: Prepare to install Windows 7.