Windows XP upgrade to Windows 7 64 BIT

[sdre909]

Hey guys.

Sorry about the noob question How can I do this and keep all my apps/plugs etc installed? Step by step would be rad.

I dont have to install everything over again do I?

[cwsand]

Originally Posted by sdre909

I dont have to install everything over again do I?

Well, if you want to upgrade XP to Windows 7 you have to first upgrade to Vista and then upgrade Vista to Windows 7. Not worth it in my opinion - you'd be better off with a clean install of Windows 7 and reinstalling everything. Just make sure you save your plugin settings first.

[cwsand]

Actually, if you try to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP, it will install Windows 7 and put your XP files in a Windows.old folder so your settings should still be there in that folder. I'd still make a backup or image first though. There's also the Files and Transfer Wizard you could use to save some program settings like IE and Outlook, but I doubt if it will save any Pro Tools settings...

[sdre909]

If I do a clean install I lose everything dont I? I want to keep all my stuff as is and just upgrade the OS. How do I do this. Never had to use anything but XP so im a noob when it comes to backups etc. I have no idea how to do that/recover my stuff later?????

[sdre909]

OK I think this newb might have figured this out:

1) Make a backup of C: to my data drive E:

2) Clean install Win 7 64 on C:

3) Restore all the apps etc from E: to Win 7 64 C:

Is it that easy?

[cwsand]

Originally Posted by sdre909

OK I think this newb might have figured this out:

1) Make a backup of C: to my data drive E:

2) Clean install Win 7 64 on C:

3) Restore all the apps etc from E: to Win 7 64 C:

Is it that easy?

Not a good idea! Like I said - upgrade to Vista then to W7 if you want to keep all your settings.

[sdre909]

Originally Posted by cwsand

Not a good idea! Like I said - upgrade to Vista then to W7 if you want to keep all your settings.

Can you explain what you mean by settngs???

[cwsand]

It will keep your programs installed with their settings as well as your desktop icons etc. You can't just copy everything on your C drive to E and then copy it all back after you install Windows 7. It will work as far as personal data and files, but not programs and data from the Windows or Programs folder - that will screw everything up!

You either have to upgrade to Vista and then upgrade to Windows 7, OR you have to do a clean install of Windows 7 and reinstall all your programs including LE and all your plugins.

[sdre909]

Originally Posted by cwsand

OR you have to do a clean install of Windows 7 and reinstall all your programs including LE and all your plugins.

That would suck Can I install Windows Vista 64 over XP?

[albee1952]

Personally, I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole. I would remove the system drive as is and don't mess with it. Install a fresh hard drive(Best Buy sale or newegg 320 gig at around $50). Install Windows 7, then PT8, then the 8.0.3 update, then the .4b stuff for 64 bit and pray. Once you get the bare minimum of OS and Pro Tools working and tweaked, only then you I attach my audio drive and open some sessions. All your plugin settings will be preserved so you can save them as presets(again). I know this sounds like a lot of work and time, but in the end, I think it will net you a better chance of success. And this way, if all hell breaks loose and you just can't get it to work for you, slap in the old drive and wait for the next update(believe me, you will be glad you did not screw up a working XP setup).