Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7

Before installing Windows 7, use the freeware Windows Easy Transfer for moving  the files needed and the required settings to another preferred location. Once the Windows installation is completed, you can again use Windows Easy  for transferring the earlier moved files and settings back to the previous location in your PC/laptop.

If you are uncomfortable using Windows Easy Transfer, then the only option would be to manually copy the files to an external location which could be external hard disk, DVDs, CDs, or a USB flash drive before installation of  Windows 7. After the Windows installation is completed, you can transfer back the things as needed.

With help of Windows Easy Transfer , a single file can be created which contains all the files and settings specified by the user. It's possible that the size of the file would be larger which is actually based on the data its holding on. For this reason, its highly recommended to use external hard disk.

Please note the following before moving the files from the PC/laptop to the external storage device.

• The only movement of files and setting happen when you use Windows Easy Transfer  and not your programs. After Windows 7 installation is complete, the programs would need manual installation initiated by the user. Windows Easy Transfer is capable of providing the program list which is associated with the Windows XP on your system.
• Caution yourself from using the File and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP  for transferring the files. It is highly incompatible with Windows 7. Using it would never allow you to restore the Windows 7 files. It is highly preferred to use Windows Easy transfer instead.
• Unfortunately, Windows Easy Transfer  is not capable of transferring files from  version having 64-bits of Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. In case you are using a 64-bit version of Windows XP, and you would like to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7, you would need to do the manual copying of the files to the external location before any installation of Windows 7. Once completed, you can move them back to their preferred locations.
• Although capable of moving music and video files, Windows Easy transfer cannot help in migrating the licenses for content which are highly  protected .This is because of digital rights management (DRM). So one would need to  re-obtain the mud needed  rights for DRM protected files with the help of the online store  who initially gave them  once Windows 7 is installed and files are restored  in your PC/laptop.