Upgrading to Windows 7

@nolipo (407)
United States
December 4, 2009 10:32am CST
I recently bought a new computer that had Vista Home Premium on it. It came with a free upgrade to Windows 7 for when it comes out (it hadn't at the time I purchased the Computer) But now that it's out I'm wondering should I upgrade? Is Windows 7 good? Bug free? I've been told not to buy OS's until when they first come out because they are buggy, so I'm wondering. Also will all my programs run on it? Especially my games, most importantly World of Warcraft and Aion. I don't want to install it if it won't support my games. Also I've heard some talk about dual booting, something about keeping Vista on my machine and adding Windows 7. How does that work and should I? If I do it how? Also if I do something like that can I tell some programs to use Vista (if windows 7 won't work with them) and other programs to use windows 7? Any help you can give me I will appreciate
13 responses
• Spain
4 Dec 09
Hi NOLIPO! I recommend you upgrade, and I also recommend you get the premium windows 7. It has the capability to run programs made for previous windows version, eg: XP, Vista. You must understand that some bugs will appear just as like with any OS. So far I had mine before it even came out since I am a Beta tester, Now I have the full version of win7 and I must say that is WAY better than Vista! And the games run much faster and better, I don´t know about WOWC but I'm sure you can look in the box of the video game for the specs or if its old it will run, don´t worry. I can run RE5 Call of duty WWF2 and a whole bunch of other old games. I´m sure you will be able to play World of War craft ok. So get on with the upgrade! and wish you the best of luck!
@nolipo (407)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Thank you, I think the upgrade is for the equivalent of what I have in Vista. So I have the home premium so it's something like that. Thanks again!!
@nolipo (407)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Oh do you recomend dual boot or just go with win7?
• Spain
4 Dec 09
I recommend you stick to the dual boot just for now. I did it like that before I risk formatting everything. That way you can try out Win7 and see for yourself if you like it or not. Although I´m sure you will like 7 better just because is faster and easier to use, and also you can remove that "administrator permission" window from popping up every time you tried to do something! I would do a clean install, its always better to have just one OS But you can surely have both of them in one, if you have the enough space go for it! I currently only have Win 7... I just did´t like Vista at all.
• India
5 Dec 09
i am using windows 7 now and i have upgraded it from windows vista. i feel windows 7 is really good compared to windows vista with more enhancement made. till now i haven't had any problems with windows 7 but i had loads of problems in vista. It also depends on what version you are using.. i was using vista 64. many of my friend have told that vista 32 id better than vista 64 and now i am using windows 7 64x.. Certain applications doesn't support windows 7. you can search for this in goggle by typing the application name.
@nolipo (407)
• United States
5 Dec 09
Yea mine is 64. I'll look the names up like you suggest. Thanks
@nolipo (407)
• United States
5 Dec 09
Ah, that explains why some install in the different program files areas. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I always wondered
• India
5 Dec 09
No matter whether ur using 64 or 32. If u hv 64 and try to install 32 bit applications, OS 'll automatically install those apps in ur X86 program file folders and u can run ur 32bit applications smoothly.
• India
9 Dec 09
widows 7 is much better than vista .. u should seriously consider your option of the upgrade windows 7 is bug free...not completely but yes better than vista... vista was a big disaster for micrsoft..so they had to come up with something like windows 7 windows 7 has some advance d and enhanced features like speech recognition and all... do upgrade frend..it better
@nolipo (407)
• United States
9 Dec 09
Thanks for the input my friend.
• United States
5 Dec 09
Windows 7 v Vista is a no brainer but you might want to partition, or with the price of HD these days just buy you a new one and keep a working copy of xp and all your files on it. Yeah I know xp only supports around 3 gigs of memory but if you're a gamer and you've been ok with xp so far, and 7 won't support your fav game or program then it's a good idea to have that xp running on a separate disk whether it's a usb back-up (for running on a laptop) or if you have a pc and you can run two op sys, then I would opt for that set up. Because from what I've heard, and I don't have 7 yet but I know a lot of people that do, plus my major is in computers and all my fellow geeks agree that win 7 running xp is a waste of time. Well Good luck, it looks like you already have received some good advice, just remember this, Vista is a piece of crap of an os, whereas xp and 7 are both good. The only problem being is you will lose the ability to run some xp software, so until they make a better version for 7, I know I wouldn't give up my xp pc for several years to come. PS If you can't find your answers here, which I'm pretty sure you will, however; if there is a particular piece of software i.e. game that you are worried about, then I would check the forums on the games manufactures website, also check with your video card websites forum, and if all else fails try the windows 7 website forum, plus there are two other websites I like to check for info, first off is Thom's Hardware site, you'll want to bookmark that one, and another sometimes useful site is Cnet. They have reviews and are probably the most trustworthy sites for downloading free apps or even paid ones, but I rarely pay for something that I can get for free.
@nolipo (407)
• United States
5 Dec 09
thanks for the info. I am running vista now, but I'm sure your advice is the same. thanks again
• India
5 Dec 09
Why Vista when u get windows 7 for FREE?? no doubt windows 7 is better than Vista in all aspects. Reasons to have win7 1.Fast and stable 2.Never hung up 3.Running even xp supportable applications smoothly. 4.Cool and smooth interface.
@nolipo (407)
• United States
5 Dec 09
True I was without internet for a few days and installed every game I own for something to do, but some of them didn't install. *cough* I think some were for win 98 or me lol
• Australia
5 Dec 09
If you are using Vista SP2, I'd suggest you not to upgrade if you are a hardcore gamer, as there have been tests in which Vista SP2 performed better than Windows 7 in various games. There are also very slight differences in kernel improvements (boot speed, etc) which may seem unnoticeable between the two operating systems. However, if you'd like your computer to look 'better', go for Windows 7, as Windows Aero is highly improved and more user-friendly in Windows 7.
@nolipo (407)
• United States
5 Dec 09
I'm using sp1 but I see that there is an upgrade button, should I go ahead and upgrade it to sp2? Do I need to do anything special before I do that?
• Australia
6 Dec 09
Well if you are using SP1 you should definitely upgrade as SP1 is really a piece of junk. You might need to reformat your computer (so back up your files) but other than that you'll be fine.
@smartjack (520)
• India
5 Dec 09
hey you already have a good OS Vista. Windows 7 is not out yet. And many people are skeptical of using it as there may be bugs. Wait for sometime my friend. Continue with your current OS and wait for a review about the new OS. It better waiting patiently for it than feeling sorry later. And don't put two OS on your system as the system will become slow.
@nolipo (407)
• United States
5 Dec 09
Yea I just wanted to figure out all this as the coupon is only good till January. And it's free. If I do wait I'll have to buy the new op.
@shadow41 (2351)
• Philippines
4 Dec 09
Hello. I'm currently using windows 7 and it's very good. I did not use vista because there were a lot of negative feedbacks about it but I really think those games you have in vista will work on 7. Windows 7 is more reliable than vista and has a higher compatibility status than vista. I can even run windows 98 software on it. Haha. But I suggest you just dual boot it. Here's the link for the easy to follow procedures. http://www.techspot.com/guides/143-dual-boot-windows7/ Ps. Be sure to backup all important files in your computer. You'll never know what will happen. shadow41
@nolipo (407)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Thanks for your input, i'll go check out that link.
@kaylachan (57358)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Dec 09
It's true its not wise to upgrade to a new OS so quickly after it is first released. However, as for your inquire according to everything I read (mind you this was a year ago) Windows 7 was designed to take the best of XP and Vista and combine them. According to the artical on the Mircosoft website, it will run programs both designed for Vista and XP, seeing how when Vista first came out, the cheif complaint was that no one could run their programs from the previous version. And, yes duel booting is basically that. Your drive will be partisioned so you can chose at start-up which OS you want to run. If you do upgrade, and find you prefer Vista, then you can continue to use it. About seven being bug-free I highly doubt any system is totally bug-free. Just be sure when prompted to install anything windows update asks of you. This should, in the long-run help minimize bugs and other errors you encounter.
@nolipo (407)
• United States
4 Dec 09
thanks for the good advice.
• India
4 Dec 09
Windows 7 operating system in very good for users.It is very user friendly.It is also bug free.I am now using windows 7 only.Yeah you can keep both vista nad windows 7 operating systems.Almost every programs works with windows 7 also.When it is compared to vista, windows 7 is th best according to my view.So try to use windows 7 instead of vista..
@nolipo (407)
• United States
4 Dec 09
Is there a place I can go to see a list of programs that work with windows 7?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
4 Dec 09
Hi! Believe me, I am no computer expert but based on what I have read about Windows 7 it is much better than Vista. I have actually got XP so I cannot compare the two, just from what I have read, like I said. I would have thought that - with Windows 7 being an upgrade on Vista then you should not have a problem with your games. Personally, to be on the safe side I would visit the Microsoft website as they mention every operating system on there and advice will be found on what you have asked on here. Hope this helps and let me know how you get on. Jane
@nolipo (407)
• United States
4 Dec 09
thanks for the comment. Now if I can find a Wow player to confirm windows 7 runs great that will be cool.
• India
11 Dec 09
Windows 7 is much better than vista and bug free. And don't think about dual booting its make your computer slow and i think you must go for windows 7 its too good
@eco0729 (47)
• Philippines
1 Jan 10
If I were you... I will gonna used it first rather than replacing it with the new Windows 7. Anyway, you would probably used it since you purchased it with a license. It's not a good idea to throw it away without using it first. You spend more money to it... why not use it first.