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    Is the upgrade really worth it?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by rosy6271, Jan 18, 2010.

  1. rosy6271

    rosy6271 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would really like to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. However, I am really scared that I may loose all of my stuff. I know, BACK UP EVERYTHING, and I have already. I just really don't want to start all over again. Is it really worth upgrading to Windows 7? (I have a free upgrade from Acer.) Is it stable?
     
    rosy6271, Jan 18, 2010
    #1
  2. Melody

    Melody How's It Made Addict

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    Windows 7 will be just as stable as Vista since under the hood they're very similar. I mean most refer to Windows 7 as a refined Vista. To some it's night and day but to me it isn't; it all depends how you use your OS daily.

    If you'd rather not start over you can do an actual upgrade vs a clean install. Most would recommend a clean install to start fresh, but if you're adamant about keeping your data/applications then an upgrade also works. My dad did one and it took roughly an hour and all his applications were fine afterwards.

    Bottom line is that it's free for you so I don't really see why not.
     
    Melody, Jan 18, 2010
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  3. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    I vote for a clean install - sooner or later, you'll have to do it anyway. Might as well do it right at the beginning and use the computer until you buy another one. (Shouldn't have to re-install again, ever, if my usage of Win 7 is any experience).

    You can of course, do an 'upgrade', but if anything is just not quite right, you'll be wondering if a clean install would have fixed it. ;)

    Cheers!
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jan 18, 2010
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  4. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Clean install seconded, although you can do what I did and set up a dual boot.
     
    Amnesiac, Jan 18, 2010
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  5. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Totally agreed with this assessment.

    Run the upgrade wizard and W7 will tell you which apps might not be compatible, before performing the upgrade.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Jan 18, 2010
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  6. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    I'd agree with a clean install, but, why not just back up everything and then do the upgrade. And if for some reason that doesn't work quite right, then you do a clean install. What have you got to lose?
     
    DR650SE, Jan 18, 2010
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  7. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    Yes!!! I successfully did an upgrade and wrote up my experience with it. But I imaged the partition first so I could get back if needed. And have been recommending the same course of action to lots of folks.

    The total time to clean install has to include inventorying all the software on your old OS, noting the configuration of each app, backing up ALL the data (not just the My Documents folder) installing the new OS, installing the requisite drivers, installing all the software and restoring the data. For me that would literally mean about three full days of work (over one hundred installed apps).

    The trial run at an upgrade cost me about 30 minutes to image (and verify) the partition, an hour to do the upgrade and another hour to assure myself it really did go that smooth. If it had not, another 20 minutes to restore the image and begin the clean install steps starting with the inventory. So, I would have lost less than two hours. Well worth it when the alternative was three days.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Jan 18, 2010
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