# Windows 7 upgrade question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-upgrade-question/532909>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 18, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-upgrade-question/532909 "2010-03-18T17:15:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-upgrade-question/532909/21 "2010-03-19T20:04:25Z")

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> [@CC](#):
>
> If this is covered elsewhere here, I apologize, but is there a good reason to upgrade to Windows 7? I have XP and it works pretty well for what we do - write a lot, surf the web occasionally, watch porn. No gaming, no elaborate CAD or anything. Is there a draw to 7 for the average user that I’m unaware of?

I’m a happy Windows 7 user (it came with my new PC), but I’d have to say “no”. If you’re happy with XP on your current PC (and it sounds like you are), then stick with it. No need to risk the incompatibility issues that might arise with a new OS when the old one is working fine.

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**Author:** ![tiltypig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@tiltypig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiltypig)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-upgrade-question/532909/22 "2010-03-19T21:56:25Z")

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> [@ZenBeam](#):
>
> On my wife’s computer, she can make Windows 7 installation disks. It initially _says_ she can use CDs or DVDs, but when she tried with CDs it wouldn’t let her, so she hasn’t actually done it yet.

Is this the same as the “system repair disc”? I couldn’t find a clear answer online about whether that works for a complete clean install–a site I found somewhere said it would only repair a broken installation.

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**Author:** ![JessicaD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6f9a4e/32.png) [@JessicaD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessicaD)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-upgrade-question/532909/23 "2010-03-22T14:08:45Z")

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Yoyosyne,

You can perform a clean install from a Windows 7 upgrade version however you will have to have a valid previous copy of Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Vista installed to validate the upgrade and activate the product key. Please note that when migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an “in place upgrade” option. You will however have the option to select “custom” install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in “My Documents” over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually.  
For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: [Windows help & learning](http://bit.ly/3DvynK)

For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: [http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4](http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4)

Jessica  
Microsoft Windows Client Team

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