Can we upgrade windows xp sp2 to windows 7

Run the Windows 7 upgrade adviser. It will let you know if your computer can handle any version of Windows 7. Check the Windows 7 compatibility center. This is different than the upgrade adviser. It will tell you if you need to update your drivers or apps to make them work in 7. Make a copy of your hard drive, just in case things go horribly wrong. I recommend using Macrium Reflect; it's a free download available from Download. Start by gathering all the installation files for all your applications.

Windows 7 will put your data in a Windows. Make sure you have all the CDs or if you downloaded programs, back up any install files you have on an external drive. Also don't forget to gather all the license keys either off product boxes or from e-mails. You'll want them all handy in a place outside the computer you're upgrading. The last thing before we get to the actual Windows 7 disc is to download and run the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard.

This will allow you to back up all your files and settings to an external hard drive. A different one than the one you imaged earlier. Launch the wizard and make sure your external drive is plugged in.

You can send your data to a network location; in this example we're choosing an external drive. The program will check for what can be transferred then give you an opportunity to password-protect the data. Finally, choose your external drive and begin the backup. You shouldn't use your computer while this process is running. It will take a while to move all your data over. Once it's done, you can set that drive aside--you won't need it until after Windows 7 completes updating.

Finally, you're ready to insert the Windows 7 disc. When doing a clean install, it doesn't matter if you restart and boot off the disc or just run it from within Windows. It will give you one last chance to check compatibility. If you're sure you don't need that, go ahead and click "Install now. It will ask if you want to go online and get updates. I say yes. It could save you some time later. Your computer will reboot a few times and eventually the Wizard will return, this time running in Windows 7.

At this point, you'll be able to do things like set up a password, set security preferences, set time and date, etc. Finally, you're running Windows 7! And you have device driver issues. Let's take care of that. Sorry this didn't help. Thanks for your feedback. Follow these steps before you buy and Upgrade clean install to Windows 8. But first make sure that you have the correct system requirements and that your Computer Manufacturer supplies the correct Drivers for Gayla Kiernan.

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