Upgrading
from WinXP to Win7
<http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7>
- Windows
7 Upgrade Advisor (Link)
- Windows
Easy Transfer Utility - XP to external hard drive (Link)
- Install
Win7
- Windows
Easy Transfer Utility - External hard drive to Win7 (Utility on Win7 DVD)
- Reinstall
your programs and update drivers. Ninite
good way to install popular free programs.
Upgrading from Vista to Win7
<http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7>
Adding
(wireless) router if one not already in place (recommended)
- Suddenlink
- Router out of the box will run.
- Verizon
DSL - Getting a router to work with a Verizon DSL modem can be very
difficult. It's best to get mentee to obtain Verizon's modem/wireless
router combo. (Free or $66 depending persistence of mentee with
Verizon.)
- On
existing router, if mentee doesn't know its username, password and
wireless settings, it's easier to reset the router to factory defaults.
(List
of default usernames and passwords) Normally, all you'll have
to do on a router that's already working is to reset wireless settings
(SSID, and Security Type and its Key).
- When
a router is added or changed between the modem and PC(s), the modem
must be reset. This can usually be accomplished by powering down the
modem for 30 seconds. In the case of the Suddenlink Internet/VOIP
(telephone) combo modem, the recessed reset button must be depressed
for a few seconds (until all lights go out).
Differences in WinXP and
Vista/Win7 Personal Files Structure (Link)
- In WinXP, all the "My" folders are
contained in the My Documents folder.
-
In Vista and Win7, the "My" folders are not in the My Documents folder.
They are in the User's folder that now contains My Documents and all
the other "My" folders. That's why there is no longer a system icon
No
E-mail client in Win7 - Alternatives:
- Outlook - Stay with
it if already using Outlook. Export/Import PST. (Good
reference)
- Web Access - if
already using it. Create Favorite/Bookmark in new browser(s). E-mails
and contacts are at server.
- Windows Live Mail
(without Live Mail Acct). Can Export/Import from Outlook Express (XP)
or Windows Mail (Vista) (Link)
- Windows Live Mail
(with Live Mail Acct). Can Export/Import from Outlook Express
(XP) or Windows Mail (Vista) (Link)
Only
if mentee already has Hotmail, MSN or Live Mail account
- Third-party e-mail client
- recommend Thunderbird.
Can install Thunderbird in old PC and import from Outlook Express. Then
backup Thunderbird's contacts and e-mails in old PC and later restore
into Thunderbird installed in Win7 PC using MozBackup
bothways.
- Windows Mail (not
supported by MS). How to 'graft' Windows Mail from Vista (Link). Can Export/Import
from Outlook Express (XP) or Windows Mail (Vista) (Link)
- If
account settings don't transfer properly through the methods suggested
above, here are example WLM setups for Suddenlink and Verizon e-mail
accounts that you can manually input (click on Add Account in left pane of WLM):
Networking - Setting
up networking via the router between old PC and new Win7 PC can be
helpful in moving files and folders from old to new PC. See the
following:
Moving work in WinXP to Win7
- Windows Easy Transfer - First Choice if old PC is still running and external hard drive is
available. XP to external hard drive followed by external hard drive to
WinXP. Be sure you run Windows Easy Transfer on Win7 before you
reinstall your programs. Download 32-bit or 64-bit Windows Easy Transfer Utility for XP (Link). For Win7, it's on the Win7 DVD.
- Via LAN - If
networking is established between old PC and new PC, data can be moved
or copied via the network from old PC to new Win7 PC. The differing
file structures between WinXP and Vista/Win7 must be taken int account.
Note that this may be faster than Windows Easy Transfer if old PC only
has USB 1.0 for external hard drive.
- Other Files -
Examine programs installed in old PC and try to determine with mentee
where data is stored by programs you're not sure are using My
Documents. They will have to be manually backed up and, if they weren't
transferred by the preceeding two methods, can be loaded from the
manual backup.
Removing 'Shovelware'
- New Win7 PCs typically are loaded with unwanted or unneeded programs.
Often they are free only for a trial period and then must be paid for
to continue their use. If mentee doesn't want to pay later for the
trial versions, it's best to uninstall them before they are used.
Examples: MS Office, and McAfee or Norton. Hopefully, the mentee will
have an installation disk for MS Office used on old setup that can be
installed in Win7. Open
Office is a free alternative to MS Office. Norton and McAfee
can be replaced with the free Microsoft
Security Essentials.
Reinstalling Programs
- Use installation media to reinstall things like
Microsoft Office.
- Use Ninite
to install latest versions of popular free programs.
Tweaks to consider adding to Win7 (Things that XP users may used to and would appreciate)
- Add Desktop System Icons (Click
on Start, enter 'desktop icons' in Search box, click on 'Show or hide
common iconson the desktop, check the following, click OK.)
- Computer
- User's Folder
- Recycle Bin
Additional Win7 Resources:
|