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Upgrading Windows Vista to Windows 7

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Upgrades to Windows 7 from windows Vista are only supported by Vista Service Pack1 and Service Pack 2 editions. All the Windows Vista device drivers are compatible with Windows 7. Following type of upgrades are supported from Windows Vista to Windows 7:
  • Windows Vista Home Basic (SP1, SP2) 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) can be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium and Ultimate 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64).
  • Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, SP2) 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) can be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium and Ultimate 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64).
  • Windows Vista Business (SP1, SP2) 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) can be upgraded to Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64).
  • Windows Vista Enterprise (SP1, SP2) 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) can be upgraded to Windows 7 Enterprise 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64).
  • Windows Vista Ultimate (SP1, SP2) 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64).
Following types of upgrades are not possible from windows Vista to Windows 7:
  • Cross-architecture in place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported from Vista to windows 7.
  • Cross-language in place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported.
  • Cross-media type in-place upgrades (for example, from Staged to Unstaged or from Unstaged to Staged) are also not supported.
Follow these steps to upgrade Windows 7 from Windows Vista:
  1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD. The DVD does not have an auto run option on the Windows Vista. Open the DVD drive in My Computer and double click setup.exe. (If you are performing an upgrade, the Windows installation process will not delete the old version. It will rename the Windows Root folder.) You can also use other media for installation like a USB drive or the downloaded Windows 7 setup. Click setup.exe file from the media that you are using for installation, to start the installation process.
  2. Click Install now on the Install Windows screen begin the installation. You can also check the compatibility of your computer with Windows 7 operating system, by clicking Check Compatibility Online.
  3. By selecting Go online to get the latest updates for installation, you can get the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation, and to help protect your computer against security threats. Your computer will need to be connected to the Internet during Windows 7 installation to get these updates.
  4. On the Please read the license terms page, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
  5. On the Which type of installation do you want page, click Upgrade. This will present you with compatibility report. This is used to help you determine what may not work properly after the upgrade.
  6. Setup starts installing Windows 7 on your computer by copying the program files to your system. It will prompt you for a Windows login password, and password hint.
  7. Type the activation key and Set the date and time.
  8. Select the appropriate network settings and create a group depending on the type of Network you have chosen.