Windows 7 upgrade path looks rocky

By Iain Thomson on Aug 10, 2009 7:11 AM
Filed under Software

Users will not find it easy.

Data released from Microsoft on the upgrade methods for Windows XP and Vista users makes it look as though users will have a tough time installing the new operating system.

A chart released to the Wall Street Journal shows that very few of the ipgrade option open to users will be possible without serious changes.

Most, in fact, will require the complete wiping of the hard drive and an installation from scratch.

The news is worrying for those businesses who have stuck with Windows XP and waited for Windows 7 rather than upgrading to Vista.

IT managers face a heavy task in upgrading such systems as it will require massive data backup and clean installs on a huge number of machines.

Even Vista users will face a rocky road to upgrading. While some versions of Vista will be upgradable without a hard drive wipe this applies to Windows 7 Ultimate rather than the Professional and Home versions.

This suggests that Windows 7 may not have the smooth launch that many were expecting. While new computer purchases will be unaffected corporate buy-in to Windows 7 could be hampered.

6 comments in this discussion

"I agree with Johnny. It is not good practice to upgrade production systems if you want to maintain any semblance of reliability and stability. Windows 7 incorporates XPM or Windows XP Mode, which ..."

By ITWizardofOZ

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Comments: 6

ChaosTheory Aug 10, 2009 9:53 AM	While I agree MS hasn't made it easy, I completely disagree on the enterprise front - many companies may use this as an opportunity to upgrade their hardware at the same time as their software. With web based and portable apps, its never been easier to migrate to new hardware & software.
bcmobile Aug 10, 2009 10:59 AM	In-place upgrades are never a good option. The problems you are likely to have with existing apps will range from "difficult to troubleshoot" to "impossible to fix". Whether you're a guru or Joe Average, it is better in the long run to go the rebuild path.
bcmobile Aug 10, 2009 11:01 AM	ChaosTheory is right. Any Corp who decides to upgrade is asking for trouble. In the real world, I have NEVER seen a corp go for upgrade rather than rebuild.
Deevus Aug 11, 2009 10:10 AM	I have done in-place upgrades to the Windows7 RTM without incident from Windows Vista Ultimate. For those upgrading from an incompatible version there is an upgrade wizard called "Windows Easy Transfer" which will help you back up all your programs and documents. There is a HOWTO here on upgrading from XP to 7: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/StepByStepHowToUpgradeFromWindowsXPToWindows7.aspx I'd imagine this could also apply to Vista to 7 if the upgrade path is incompatible. To be perfectly honest I don't feel like Microsoft SHOULD provide an easy upgrade path from XP (a 10 year old OS!). The amount of crap that would be accumulated over time on a PC running XP since its inception would be ridiculous. Anyone who knows anything about Windows XP would have done periodic clean installs anyway to get the best out of the operating system. They would have to be used to a backup scheme anyway, except now Microsoft will make it easier with their provided tool.
Johnny Aug 11, 2009 12:44 PM	Any lazy IT administrator would upgrade from XP to 7. Ive upgraded from vista to 7 and that was a big enough mistake. Clean install ran much faster and no errors with programs.
ITWizardofOZ Aug 11, 2009 2:20 PM	I agree with Johnny. It is not good practice to upgrade production systems if you want to maintain any semblance of reliability and stability. Windows 7 incorporates XPM or Windows XP Mode, which should allow the majority of customers to leapfrog to Windows 7 whilst maintaining support for their legacy apps. Secondly, any IT environment managed appropriately would have little to no data stored on local clients machines. All that should be required is the successful development and testing of a Windows 7 SOE, before deployment.