Performing an Upgrade Installation

Although Windows 7 provides an upgrade option during installation, an upgrade with Windows 7 isn't what you think it is. With an upgrade, the Windows 7 Setup program performs a clean installation of the operating system followed by a migration of user settings, documents, and applications from the earlier version of Windows.

During the migration portion of the upgrade, Setup moves folders and files for the previous installation to a folder named Windows.old. As a result, the previous installation will no longer run. Settings are migrated because Windows 7 doesn't store user and application information in the same way as earlier versions of Windows do.

After you ensure you've recovered any data that you might need, you can delete the Windows.old folder.

To perform an upgrade installation of Windows 7, complete the following steps:

1. Start the computer and log on using an account with administrator privileges. Insert the Windows 7 distribution media into the computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Setup should start automatically. If Setup doesn't start automatically, use Windows Explorer to access the distribution media and then double-click Setup.exe.
2. Start the installation by clicking Install Now.
3. Choose whether to get updates during the installation. Click either "Go online to get the latest updates for installation" or "Do not get the latest updates for installation."
4. Read the license terms. Click "I accept the license terms" and then click Next.
5. Because you are performing a clean installation over an existing installation, select the installation type as Upgrade.
6. Setup will start the installation. During this process, Setup copies the full disk image of Windows 7 to the disk you've selected and then expands it. Afterward, Setup installs features based on the computer's configuration and detected hardware. When Setup finishes the installation, the operating system will be loaded and you can complete the installation.
7. If prompted for a product key, enter the product key and then click Next.
8. Select a Windows Update option for the computer. Typically, you'll want to use the recommended settings to allow Windows 7 to automatically install all available updates and security tools as they become available. If you choose "Ask me later," Windows Update will be disabled.
9. Review the date and time settings, and then make changes as necessary. Click Next.
10. If a network card was detected during setup, networking components were installed automatically. Because of this, you'll need to configure detected networking components:
    • If your computer has a built-in wireless adapter and it was properly configured during installation, you'll have the opportunity to select and connect to a wireless network.
    • If network connections are detected, you can configure each detected network connection. Depending on the type of location and connection, click Home for a home network, Work for a network in a workplace, or Public Location for a public network. Windows 7 will then configure networking as appropriate for this location.
    • If there are multiple networks, you'll see a prompt for each network. You can configure each detected network in a different way.
    • When you select home as the connection type, you have additional options. If your home network doesn't have a homegroup, you'll be able to set up a new homegroup. If your home network already has a homegroup, you'll be able to join the homegroup and set sharing options.
    • After setting up your networking, Windows 7 will prepare your desktop.