The Route to Migration

The Financial Times  - Paul Taylor
Oct 15, 2009
Link to article

The wait is almost over. Next Thursday, Microsoft launches Windows 7, the latest version of its desktop operating system. It is the long awaited replacement for Windows Vista, which has been widely criticised by users for its apparent slowness – which may actually have been more perceived than real.

Microsoft hopes Windows 7’s new features will address the complaints, change perceptions and help it to match Apple’s Snow Leopard operating system, which has been lauded by Apple enthusiasts and many reviewers.

I have been running trial versions of Windows 7 on several machines at home for most of this year and, as I have noted in an earlier column, I am optimistic. One process that existing Windows users will have to face is how to upgrade their system to use Windows 7. The easiest way is to buy a new machine with it already loaded. But for this particular upgrade, the number of people migrating from Windows Vista-based PCs or Windows XP could be much higher than usual given the general dissatisfaction with Vista and because some XP users did not bother to migrate to Vista.

So, I decided to take a look at the options for existing Windows users who do not want to buy a new machine just to get Windows 7.But this is where it becomes complicated, because of the multiple versions of Vista, XP and Windows 7 and the need to undertake a “clean install”, which overwrites all the files, folders and settings stored on a hard drive. Fortunately, Microsoft supplies a free tool called Windows Easy Transfer that you can use to copy important files and settings to an external USB memory stick, external hard drive or DVD, and restore the data back after installing Windows 7.

If you are daunted by the upgrade process, the more expensive but easy option is to hire professional help from a PC support service such as Geek Squad or iYogi.  Another option is to use migration software. The best package I have found is Laplink’s PC Mover Pro, $60 (£42 in the UK), because it moves applications as well as file and PC settings – Laplink claims it is the only package to do this.

That said, the on-screen directions for PCmover, which is primarily designed for moving applications, files and settings to another machine, can be confusing if you simply want to upgrade your current machine to Windows 7. If this is all you want to do, Laplink offers another package called the Upgrade Assistant edition of PCmover.

I ran Upgrade Assistant on a Windows XP laptop that I wanted to upgrade to the Ultimate version of Windows 7 and was pleasantly surprised by how much easier and faster it was than doing a clean install and then reinstalling all my applications. Basically, you run PCmover and follow the instructions, then install Windows 7 – choosing the “custom” install option but not reformatting the hard drive – and then you run PCmover again.  The whole process on my laptop took 40 minutes and the only problem afterwards was that my old version of a free security suite would not run.

As with any operating system upgrade, however, you should back up your hard drive – including application software – beforehand in case something goes wrong (try ClickFree’s easy back-up options). And if everything does go awry, Upgrade Assistant, like PCmover Pro, allows users to revert to their original set-up.

Without PCmover Pro, Windows XP users in particular will need to perform a clean install, whether they buy an upgrade (which checks to see if a legitimate version of Windows is already installed) or full retail version of Windows 7.  Upgrade prices in the US start at $120, while the full version of Windows 7 Ultimate costs $320. In Europe, where Windows 7 will be sold without Internet Explorer 8 because of the EU’s antitrust investigation, prices range from €120 (£80) for the Home Premium upgrade to €320 (£230) for the full version of Windows Ultimate.

Upgrading from Windows Vista is much easier, unless you choose a version that is lower on the Windows “food chain” – for example, if you are going from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Home Premium – in which case you need to do a clean install.

In most case, for both Vista and XP, you must install the latest available Service Pack for your operating system before starting the upgrade. This is one of the things Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor – a free Microsoft download that all prospective Windows 7 upgrade buyers should run – tests for. The Upgrade Advisor will also check your PC hardware meets the basic requirements for running Windows 7.

Generally, if your PC is less than a few years old or is running Vista already, Windows 7 should run just fine.

In fact, the main problem I en­countered was the need to reload purchased software applications when a clean install was required. This can be a headache unless you have the original disks and licence keys or download codes. Even then a few software packages – particularly security applications – seemed to have problems.

paul.taylor@ft.com

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