Microsoft has confirmed it isn't providing an upgrade path for Windows XP to Windows 7.
The not unexpected confirmation came in a new post on the Engineering Windows 7 blog outlining the latest developments with the new OS as it moves swiftly towards release.
In the post - signed 'Windows 7 Team' - the subject of XP upgrading is broached, but it admits that, actually, an upgrade option has never been part of the plan.
"We realized at the start of this project that the 'upgrade' from XP would not be an experience we think would yield the best results. There are simply too many changes in how PCs have been configured (applets, hardware support, driver model, etc) that having all of that support carry forth to Windows 7 would not be nearly as high quality as a clean install. This is something many of you know and already practice."
To be fair to Microsoft, an upgrade isn't the best way to install a new OS - especially one so different from XP as Windows 7. After all, we're talking eight years since XP first hit the streets. Added to which, many users will simply look to get Windows 7 when they buy a new machine anyway.
However, Microsoft, does say that the installation process does "provide support for moving files and settings and will prompt at setup time, but applications will need to be reinstalled." Fair enough. "We know that for a set of customers this trade off seems less than perfect, but we think the upfront time is well worth it."
If you're one of those "set of customers", we'd love to hear what you think in the comments below - or email us.
Running the Windows 7 beta already? We've got more from Microsoft's latest Windows 7 announcement.
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Your comments (12) Click to add a new comment
tlokzz
April 16th 2009
12. You guys got to realize if companies had to worry about the cost of your guy's hardware compatablility 24/7 and couldn't use the better because some people put other priorities first then doing a long-needed new computer purchase then the computer industry would go no where. Stop thinking about the costs and wait till you can afford it. This release in no way requires you to upgrade or drop XP. Quit acting like there throwing you out the door. Just remember your using there hard and dedicated work.
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lovlid
April 12th 2009
11. Wow, agron12, your not bothered how it works, as long as it looks pretty.
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agron12
April 9th 2009
10. I use WindowBlinds with XP. It makes XP run faster, it has all Vista visual effects and more.
I like Leopard Look&Feel on it. Windows 7 looks seems pretty simple from the artistic point of view.
Thanks to WindowBlinds ($20) I never had a need to upgrade to Vista. And I don't need to upgrade to Windows 7.
You can find thousands of themes at http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?libid=1
I hear WINE under LINUX can apply the same LINUX skins to Windows programs and it can put them on the same 3D desktop and apply all 3D Open GL effects on Windows programs. I must try this.
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knemes
April 8th 2009
9. they easily forget about us that cannot afford to purchase a full round of upgrade i will have to use xp forever cause i cant afford to re do my whole computer with hardware and software and i am not alone on the magnatude of this one they forget about the lil guys here i am not a money bags i can get buy but come on u keep forgetting us that are left behind and there are plenty of us
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jonny8909
April 8th 2009
8. windows vista and windows 7 both look really nice. but when it comes down to it, id rather have linux or freebsd on my machine any day.
for the record , you can take a new and powerful version of linux and run it on an old computer and it will fly ... windows uses up too much resources (usually to make sure your not doing anything you shoudln't be)
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aielloj
April 8th 2009
7. Microsoft has totally lost site of convenience and ease of migration for their users. Many users are running old versions of legacy software in their businesses that their publishers won't relicense on a new install. This adds a huge financial burden to the cost of these types of upgrades.
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brealmsys
April 8th 2009
6. I find this unseperable XP love comical...it reminds me of 1995 through 1998 and all the people I heard of then that didn't DARE stop using Windows 3.1.
I've used Vista for like 2 years now. It's VERY stable. 7 beta runs on even lighter hardware, similar to the XP requirements, which is probably mostly an appeasement to those who have been CONSTANTLY whining about it not running well on older or slower hardware instead of just getting some newer equipment. That, and those crazy netbooks.
Fact is, Vista does pretty good on a computer I bought...in 2003.
Vista WAS the "New XP". Yeah, they could've left the driver model alone so it was more compatible, but hey, things change. You can't use Windows 3.1 video drivers in XP, LOL...or even many 9x drivers.
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bushmouse
April 8th 2009
5. People need to realize this a new OPERATING SYSTEM, not just another piece of software or a service pack. Good on Microsoft for looking forward; to truly increase performance they must remove some legacy support from newer operating system releases.
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machead29
April 8th 2009
4. despite being a mac user windows 7 looks pretty darn good. Vista wasn't bad either. And sanzalure - how can you pass judgement on something you never installed?
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paulanormannz
April 8th 2009
3. If MS were willing to give and improved Xp I think they may find a sizeablke market share, however as that is not their intention so far ...
I have to admit I've not been looking forward to the new Win release after the Vista debackle, and have been looking to Ubuntu's production environments.
Wine under Linux has come a long way and it is all now a very serious option for me. I hope to be on it substantially long before security updates for Xp run out.
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sanzalure
April 8th 2009
2. I did not install Vista, and Windows 7 looks the same, so I will not install it either.
When Windows XP stops working, I'll move back to Macintosh.
Serge Grenier
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grimfandango
April 7th 2009
1. No mention from Microsoft about this helping to prevent infected or abused WinXP installs causing problems with Win7? Missed a trick there.
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