Windows7 on XP Enjoy dual booting

Windows 7 does not provide an direct in-place upgrade for Windows XP that will retain user’s applications, programs, settings, customizations, personalization and data while setting up performing installation of Windows. If you attempt to upgrade to Windows 7 from a system which has Windows XP, you will be shown an error report which indicates that direct upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 is not possible.

Once you get a Windows 7 DVD, you will need to do a fresh install on your machine if you are using Windows XP (although you can upgrade to Vista and thento Windows 7). Microsoft recommends Windows Easy Transfer which can be used to preserve your files and settings from your XP machine, but please note that it will NOT back up and transfer program files and applications. You will need to reinstall all the programs again. Once you have applied Windows easy transfer you need to save it with specific name and put password.You need to save this file to an external storage like USB or External hard disk. Once the data is saved, Easy transfer tells you the location where the files are stored. Now close the Easy Transfer and open the Windows 7 Setup by browsing to the root folder of the DVD, and then double clicking setup.exe. Now follow the prompts to get it installed. Accept the Software license and select Custom to perfrom an upgrade to your exixting Windows installation. Once Windows 7 installation is complete, now you can transfer the files and to do this, insert the USB or the external hard disk where you saved the transfer files. To do this first boot your new Windows. Go to Start ->All Programs ->Accessories->System Tools, and then click Windows Easy Transfer. Once Easy transfer opens up click next button and select “An external hard disk or USB flash drive” from the options. Select “This is my New computer” in the next step. In the next step, Easy Transfer will ask you whether you have saved your files on external hard disk or an USB drive and click “Yes”. Now browse for the files which you saved from your Windows XP. Once you select the file and click open, Easy Transfer will again scan for the user profiles available in the saved data. You can chose which files need to be migrated for which all users you have saved. You can customize the migration using the customize button below each profile. Once you have customize the list of files and profiles to be migrated, click Transfer and wait for Easy Transfer to complete the migration.

After the easy transfer is done you will be able to use all your files and settings of your XP system on Windows7.The advantage of Windows7 on XP will be to keep intact with the file and setting which is important for you.

If you want any application which is not compatible to Windows7 you can install Windows XP mode. Once you have installed Windows XP Mode, click the Windows 7 Start button then select All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Windows XP Mode to begin setup.

Hence Windows 7 on XP along with XP mode will not only give you privilege of using your previous important programs as well as mention there settings as well, in a totally advanced environment. Moreover your computer will show good performance.

There is another way of taking Windows7 on XP which is make your system double booting. In that case you need to make a virtual disk. Before you proceed for installing Windows 7, the first thing you need to do is create a new partition on your hard drive to hold the new installation of Windows. To partition your hard drive in Windows XP, you'll need to download some sort of third-party partitioning software. There are a lot of options available,but the convenient way is to make use of GParted live CD, a free, open source boot CD that can create all type of parition. After that insert your Windows 7 disc and reboot your computer and follow the prompts.

Hence Windows7 on XP not only give you ease to run non compatible software but also save your hard earned money.