Yes, I am that dumb....

[Nurian]

On my systems, I have all Vista. Now, Vista hasn't been good to me, and I want to get Windows 7 when it come out. Now, here's my idiot question: If/when I get 7, how do I get Vista off my hard drive?

[Broomjockey]

Boot from the CD and do a clean install?

[technical.angel]

Back up EVERYTHING.

Put the Win 7 disc in the computer.

Boot to the CD, usually hit F12, or whatever it tells you on the first splash screen.

The install is pretty straight forward. There will be a step to delete everything on your hard drive and install Win 7 there. That's the option you want. That way, Vista isn't going to cause any more problems.

EDIT: If you need help with this step, just let me know. I can probably reformat another PC.

[MrSmiley]

Windows versions over the years have usually been pretty good at "upgrading" from a previous installed version. At least so long as it's only a version or two difference. Vista to Vista7 should be no problem... Having said that, an "upgraded install" is usually messier and not as smooth running as a "fresh install" on formatted (or at least without an OS living on it) hard drive partition.

[Caffienated_Caramel]

What about XP to 7? Just a little curious.

(hit me with a salmon if you think I'm nuts)

[technical.angel]

What about XP to 7? Just a little curious.

(hit me with a salmon if you think I'm nuts)

No salmon hitting.

The only thing you have to be careful about is that your system is geared for 7. I believe there's a compatibility test on the Win 7 site you can run that will tell you.

The process is the same, no matter what system you're going to.

[Der Cute]

I don't think XP can get upgraded straight to Win 7. And if the machine is old enough to have an OEM version of XP on it, from a factory, you should definitely check your specs to make sure the hardware can handle Win 7.

Cutenoob

[EricKei]

Agreed with what's been said -- backup everything you need, and anything you might need but yer not sure of, then wipe and reinstall.

Your current Windows version should have a file migration/data and settings transfer wizard built in, BUT...I'm not sure if that works across disparate Windows "versions" like XP to 7 or Vista to 7.

[Andara Bledin]

Windows versions over the years have usually been pretty good at "upgrading" from a previous installed version. At least so long as it's only a version or two difference. Vista to Vista7 should be no problem... Having said that, an "upgraded install" is usually messier and not as smooth running as a "fresh install" on formatted (or at least without an OS living on it) hard drive partition.

The word I'm hearing is that to upgrade from Vista to W7 takes about 20 hours.

Then again, all of the tech-savvy people I know always do full, fresh installs whenever they upgrade their OSes. I do the same.

Just be absolutely sure to back up everything you have, and if you have any must-keep programs, ensure that you have a way to re-install them before wiping the drive.

^-.-^

[Broomjockey]

The word I'm hearing is that to upgrade from Vista to W7 takes about 20 hours.

I heard that was only in corporate environments, where there were a lot of files and directories hanging around. The average home user is looking at a lot less, maybe 4 or 5. I agree a clean install is best, though. Took about an hour, for me, I believe.

[RichS]

I agree a clean install is best, though.

Agreed. There's been an endless reboot problem with upgrading Vista to 7, also.

Read about it here.

[AriRashkae]

"Windows 7 is out, and it's not going to have any of the problems my last operating system had. Trust me."

(Not trying to start an OS war, but those commercials are funny as hell. )