Vista Home Basic to Windows 7 Home Premium

AppScout - PCMag Digital Network  - Neil Rubenking
Dec 11, 2009
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Q: I ordered a new Dell Inspiron 546 with Vista Home Basic 32-bit. When I called a couple of days later to have the OS changed to the Widows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, they said it was too late, that my PC was in production. So I bought Windows 7 to put on it when it comes.

This is where I need some advice. I have never had to back up any files or anything on a computer I have fixed. Some I bought without operating systems and others had to be wiped clean to get rid of a virus. And one I upgraded from ME to Windows XP Pro with a new hard drive and more memory. So exactly how do I backup or save all the extra things that Dell is putting on this computer? Do I burn a CD with the Roxio program it comes with? Will I be able to copy any of the programs or links they put on it? I would like to put it all back on the computer when done installing Windows 7. I know this is possible just don't know how. -Dino Gammalo.

A: OK, I'm glad you understand that you can't do an in-place upgrade from 32-bit Vista to 64-bit Windows 7. Actually, there are very few combinations of old and new OS that permit an in-place upgrade. The green squares on this chart represent combinations that allow in-place upgrade; all the rest require a clean install.

This is what I'd suggest. For $19.95 you can get the PCmover Windows 7 Upgrade Assistant. This is from LapLink, a long-respected data-migration company. It's supposed to transfer all your files and programs from your old OS to your new OS. I say "supposed to" simply because I haven't actually used it myself. I have every confidence it will do the job. Here's a review from PCMag. - Neil J. Rubenking.