Upgrading and Fixing Computers: Do-it-Yourself For Dummies®

Chapter 18. Installing or Upgrading to Windows 7

Topics and tasks in this chapter

• Knowing what hardware you need

• Choosing a 32- or 64-bit version of Windows 7

• Running Windows Upgrade Advisor

• Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7

• Installing Windows 7 over Windows XP or onto an empty hard drive

• Upgrading to a better version of Windows 7 on a netbook

Walk into nearly any computer store today, and you'll see Windows 7 running on every single computer. Nearly 90 percent of today's computers arrive with Windows 7 already beaming from their monitors. So, who still needs to install Windows 7? Well, you'll be reading this chapter if you fall into any one of these three groups:

• Your computer runs Windows XP or Windows Vista, and you want to move to Windows 7.

• You've replaced or upgraded a hard drive, and need to install or reinstall Windows 7 onto it.

• You're outgrowing Windows 7 Starter edition, which came on your netbook, and you want to upgrade to a more powerful version of Windows.

This chapter walks you through each of those scenarios.

Understanding Windows 7's Hardware Requirements

Windows 7 usually runs well on computers purchased within the past four or five years. Before upgrading your computer, though, make sure that you've run through the following checklist:

• Compatibility: Before upgrading or installing Windows 7 onto your computer, download and run Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, described in this chapter's first task. The program alerts you beforehand if parts of your computer won't ...