How to Upgrade Your XP System to Windows 7

Planning to make the move to Windows 7 next month? If so, chances are good you’ll be packing the virtual U-Haul with Windows XP, not Vista.

Here’s an excerpt that explains what XP users can do to get the new OS:

1. Install a copy of Windows 7 on the same computer, in parallel with your existing XP install;

2. Install a copy of Windows 7 on the same computer and Replace your existing XP install entirely; or

3. Obtain an entirely new computer with 7 installed, and Migrate your existing XP data and application settings to it.

The first and third options are non-destructive: they leave your existing XP installation intact in one form or another and allow you to copy what’s most important over to the target install. The second option is the least useful, and so will be covered only peripherally here.

The article doesn’t mention a relatively new option: Laplink’s PCmover, which has been updated to support in-place upgrades between XP and 7. The Home version, which should get the job done for most small-business users, will run you $39.95.

So what’s your plan come October 22? Because I’m running Vista on a relatively new machine, I’ll probably just do an in-place upgrade. But if I was migrating from XP, I’d probably just back up my data and settings, wipe the hard drive, do a fresh install, and reload everything. (Yeah, I’m a glutton for punishment.)

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