Question 1

Dose this windows 7 product have a disk to install?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is the installation disk and the disk also helps with re-install or fixes if something needs fixed with your operating system. It is the new operating system. By the way Windows 8 is problematic so this windows 7 is the better Idea especially if you are upgrading from windows XP.

Question 2

Is this a full version?

Accepted Answer

It is a full version. Please note this is the 32-bit version. You will be able to use it for a clean install on a formatted hard drive - or - you can follow the instructions on Miscrosoft's website to install this over Windows XP.

Please note - it does NOT "upgrade" Windows XP in the traditional sense of what "upgrade" normally means for OS upgrades. But yes, if you currently have Windows XP, you can use this full version to install Windows 7 OVER Windows XP, removing XP completely.

Sometimes these particular versions of the Windows disks are intended to be distributed to computer manufacturers for them to install on the computers they build, then sell that computer with Windows pre-installed. It will have wording on the package that may imply that it is not for a normal home user. This is not the case - the full Windows 7 is on there, you just have some disclaimers about not getting MS tech support, etc. You won't ever (want to) use that anyway so don't worry.

Question 3

Is this a total wipe over and install or is this an upgrade?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what OS you have now.  If you are running Win Vista it is an upgrade.  If you are running Win XP it is a total wipeover (my situation).  I suggest getting (online for free) the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Report.  It will analyze your computer and let you know if there are any issues, etc.  Microsoft also has a tutorial (Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7) that gives a step-by-step process for replacing Win XP.  Also note that if you are replacing XP you may also have to replace Outlook Express if you are currently using that - Windows 7 does not support Outlook Express and you'll have to use Windows Mail.  Microsoft has some instructions on how to do that if you need to.  Also, for replacing XP you will want to use Windows Easy Transfer from Microsoft, it is free and should help you move files around (ie from your hard drive to an external hard drive and then back to your computer hard drive after you install Win 7.  Good luck.

Question 4

What does the slim envelope mean?  I really need to upgrade 2 computers that are running Windows XP, will this do it or do I need to purchase 2 of them?  Also do I have to back everything up onto my external hard drive, then uninstall everything and install Windows 7?

thanks for the help

Accepted Answer

Greetings,
The slim envelope is just a thinner and smaller plastic box that the software comes in. Easier to mail.  If you want to upgrade two computers to Win7 from Win Xp you will need two licenses. so that means two copy's of Win7.  You will need to back up everything as there is not an upgrade path from Win XP to Win7. and if your old computers do not have a 64 bit processor or your older soft ware needs a 32 bit operating system then you will need to pick 32 bit Win7. Almost all Win XP was 32 bit, if not then 64 bit is best as it will let you use more memory.

Hope this helps

Question 5

I can use this to install on my computer to replace XP?

Accepted Answer

Instead of installing Windows 7 over XP, I used another hard drive to do a fresh install and kept the old drive as a backup and also if something went wrong I could always go back to it temporarily if need be.  (hard drives are now cheap) Anyway, everything went very smoothly using the custom setting rather than the upgrade selection and everything was quite automatic. It was for my daughter and she is extremely pleased. I notice in installing, that it you want to upgrade, I suppose you can do that though a clean install is generally much better.  I also did the same for my laptop with a 64-bit version and it also went smoothly. Just have to add the programs I used before and my backup data. I had anxieties about how much of a pain it would be and it really was not anything I had to worry about. Just make sure you have a backup.  I hope you have the same pleasant experience.

Question 6

Will this product upgrade an existing XP pc?

Accepted Answer

The only way to upgrade XP to Windows 7 would be to run the Documents and Settings Transfer Wizard to save your Documents and Settings on the XP machine and then import them through the same type application (Windows Easy Transfer) in Windows 7.  This application will parse all of your files to their proper locations in Windows 7 from XP.  It will also transfer what few settings are applicable to Windows 7 from XP.

AS far as an Upgrade path in the standard sense of the term, there is no specific upgrade path from XP to Windows 7 as there is in say Vista.

All of the above notwithstanding, I strongly encourage you to go ahead and do this. It isn't that hard to and you will appreciate your efforts once it is all over.

A few pointers or step by step follow:

Backup your data on the XP machine to an external drive

Insert Windows 7 disk into the CD/DVD and take appropriate steps to boot from that Disc.  (Do not try to install from within Windows XP shell)

Once you are booted into the setup dvd, choose "Drive Options" and delete every partition on the existing HDD before installing Windows 7.  Once you have nothing but unreserved space on the HDD, go ahead and install Windows 7.  (The rest of the procedure is pretty straight forward)

After installation is complete, attach your external drive and copy your personal data folders and files to the new machine. (Or use the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard if that is how you initially saved the data from XP)

After that it will be necessary to check your device manager to see if you need to add any device drivers, install your printers, and finally install your applications.

It's a walk in the park, though a lengthy one.  But, it isn't rocket science.

Question 7

I just want to install Windows 7 Home on my home computer; can I buy this even though it's not a new computer, I'm not a developer, and I'm not going to be reselling or supporting anything?

Accepted Answer

Search "Windows 7 upgrade advisor" from Microsoft, download it and run it.  It will tell you whether your existing computer can handle Windows 7.  Assuming this passes, then yes, you can install Window 7 on an older machine.  It will probably mean a clean install (wipes your hard drive before installing) so you'll want to make sure you've backed up your user data (music, pics, documents etc...) to an external device so you can load it back on later.  And hang on to that 25-digit product key in case you have to do it again.

Question 8

Can I buy this to install on my home computer, even though it's not a new computer, and I'm not a developer, will not be reselling it, and will not be supporting it?

Accepted Answer

You can buy it for your own personal use to upgrade an XP computer.  However, you should run Microsoft's Windows 7 upgrade analyzer to see if your older hardware will operate under Windows 7.   The analyzer will tell you if your hardware and drivers will work under Windows 7 and will attempt to look at any software you are currently using.  You can do a Google search for Windows 7 upgrade advisor, download and run it.  It is free.

Also, if you are upgrading from XP, Windows 7 requires a clean install.  That means all your old XP data is lost unless you back it up to another hard drive.

Question 9

Is this a dvd or a key card? Thanks, Eileen

Accepted Answer

DVD

Question 10

Can this be used as an upgrade from Windows XP?

Accepted Answer

I have used the OEM and this version to upgrade over 6 Windows XP machines to Windows 7.
1 - Use the Microsoft upgrade adviser to make sure that the computer is capable of running Windows 7. It may need Ram, video card, network card, sound card or other hardware. Not all XP hardware is compatible with Windows 7.
2 - Go online, find and Use Belarc to save your software keys for re installation later if needed.
3 - Use Microsoft Easy Transfer tool and make a file on a USB hard drive to store the users and system settings. Microsoft has a video on how to do this.
4 - 32 or 64 bit version? 32bit is just fine but 64bit is better for memory usage if needed.
5 - Do an in place upgrade. Windows7 will save Windows XP in a  folder Windows.OLD for later use if needed.
6 - Use the Migration tool to reinstall the users and settings back onto the Windows 7 setup.
7 - You will have to reinstall your programs
FYI uninstall printers and nonessential programs before you start. This will prevent headaches later.

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