Upgrade to Windows 7

[Wellson]

Hey guys

A few months ago I downgraded my Windows 8 laptop to the XP edition, sadly people broke into my computer without having downloaded anything, my question now is: Can I upgrade to Windows 7 freely and is it possible? I saw these steps on the Microsoft site, but I'm not sure if you need a serial or not: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?action=activate;u=144823;code=2cff37815d

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards

[camerongray]

That depends, if the laptop came with Windows 8 Pro then yes you can install Windows 7.  If it came with Windows 8 (non-pro) you will have to buy a new copy of Windows 7.  If this is the case your best option is to just reinstall Windows 8 and run the free update to Windows 8.1.

[patio]

Are you saying people broke into your PC 'cause  you were runnin XP ? ?

[Geek-9pm]

For what it is worth.
I have:
Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows 8

I would not recommend going from XP to 7 in one single jump.
Windows 8 interface is annoying to many former XP die-shards.

How else could you explain this?

Microsoft Now Offering $100 Discounts To Get Consumers Off Windows XP

... Microsoft has been offering discounts, in increasing increments, to induce consumers to get their backsides off the bench and into a computer that will be safe. So, Microsoft is handing out $100 discounts on a number of computers, including the Surface Pro 2. How is this economically feasible? All the machines cost $599.

Hmm...

[Salmon Trout]

I would not recommend going from XP to 7 in one single jump.

Why not? I did it and had no problems. Windows is Windows.

[Geek-9pm]

 Salmon Trout,
You are an exceptional user.
Normal people take several days to adjust to the high altitude of windows 7.
It reduces blood flow to the brain. Windows 8 is even worse.
Windows should be sold with a bottle of fresh air.   

[patio]

Wow....

[BC_Programmer]

Normal people take several days to adjust to the high altitude of windows 7.

or maybe those people are already high.

[soybean]

I would not recommend going from XP to 7 in one single jump.

Can you offer a plan for a multi-jump approach?   

[Geek-9pm]

Can you offer a plan for a multi-jump approach?   

You can do a dual-boot scenario.
The first day spend a small part of your time on Windows 7,then reboot and finish your day with Windows XP.
Each day try to increase the amount of time you spend on Windows 7 'till  you can go most of the day without needed Windows XP.  But don't be discouraged if you have a relapse. It may take weeks for some people.

As for me, I fell off the wagon and am back on Windows XP.  Hard to beak the XP habit.  Maybe I will try Windows 7 again if my Doctor will prescribe something better.  I get about 10  minutes a day on Windows 7.
As for Windows 8, I can only take 5 minutes a week.   

[camerongray]

I get about 10  minutes a day on Windows 7.
As for Windows 8, I can only take 5 minutes a week.   

That's certainly not the case for the average user... Having to split your life between two OSs is hardly going to be practical if you want to actually get any work done.

The reactions I generally see from people upgrading is:

• To Windows 7: "Oh, this looks different, cool" Followed by them maybe requesting a couple of small pointers as to where a couple of things are
• To Windows 8.1: "Oh, I'm not sure if I like this, it's totally different to what I had before" and then a couple of weeks of using it later "It's fine, just took some getting used to"

[BC_Programmer]

You can do a dual-boot scenario.
The first day spend a small part of your time on Windows 7,then reboot and finish your day with Windows XP.
Each day try to increase the amount of time you spend on Windows 7 'till  you can go most of the day without needed Windows XP.  But don't be discouraged if you have a relapse. It may take weeks for some people.

As for me, I fell off the wagon and am back on Windows XP.  Hard to beak the XP habit.  Maybe I will try Windows 7 again if my Doctor will prescribe something better.  I get about 10  minutes a day on Windows 7.
As for Windows 8, I can only take 5 minutes a week.   

Just to clarify, you are suggesting that the OP takes a migration approach from XP to Windows 7 based on your experience being completely unsuccessful with that approach?

[Geek-9pm]

Just to clarify, you are suggesting that the OP takes a migration approach from XP to Windows 7 based on your experience being completely unsuccessful with that approach?

Don't be so Negatory **.
To overcome OS addition is a painful process. Progress is not visible, but in time one can overcome old habits. After all, I broke free from DOS years ago. So I believe I will do it again. Soon.

**  Negatory is define as "expressing negation", from Middle French.

[camerongray]

"Normal" people don't get addicted to an OS.  I mean, once you can launch programs and switch between them, the rest of the changes are small - I hardly sit just playing with Windows all day.

I've built/setup loads of Windows 7/8/8.1 PCs for people who were previously on XP - Other than a couple of initial questions, none of them have struggled or felt "addicted" to their previous OS.

Your problem is down to flicking between them, of course you will use XP since that's what you are comfortable with, you will need to actually force yourself to use a newer OS until you are used to it and learn rather than giving up if something slightly confuses you.