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September 29th, 2009

Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?

Posted by Ed Bott @ 6:20 am

Categories: Windows 7, Windows XP

Tags: Sony Corp., PC, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Laplink Software Inc., Option, Lisa, PCmover, PCmover Program, Microsoft Windows 7

How old is too old? I had a chance to think about this question twice over the weekend. Once while pondering my fifty-somethingth birthday (as of today, I am the same age as Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons combined), and the other while deciding whether to upgrade my friend Lisa’s four-year-old Sony notebook to Windows 7.

The birthday will happen whether I want it or not. But as for that Sony? That took a little more thought. It would have been a no-brainer had this been a two-year-old PC that Lisa had downgraded to XP to avoid the tribulations of Vista. But this machine, once a triumph of Sony hardware engineering, could easily be deemed ready to retire.

After careful consideration, I finally decided to go ahead with the upgrade, taking careful notes and snapping lots of screen shots along the way. The XP-to-7 odyssey was an interesting one, with surprising results and several lessons I can share with anyone contemplating a similar adventure. Along the way I also tried out a new edition of Laplink’s PCmover software, which is specifically designed to ease this sort of migration. I found some surprises there as well.

I’ve divided this report into three parts:

Part 1: Can this PC be upgraded? Should it?

This ultraportable Sony VAIO was originally manufactured in August 2005, more than four years ago. Although it had plenty of resources for its time, it can be upgraded in only the most limited ways. Are its ancient CPU and limited RAM up to the challenge of a 2009-vintage OS? I was skeptical. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor said it would work. But see for yourself.

Part 2: Assessing the upgrade options

There’s more than one way to complete this transition. With the help of image backup software, I was able to compare and contrast separate upgrade paths: a clean install, with and without Windows Easy Transfer, and a migration using the PCmover software. I also considered and rejected a third option. In this section, the pros, cons, and tips for each one.

Part 3: PCmover tries to do what Microsoft won’t

You can’t directly upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. Microsoft’s Windows Easy Transfer utility moves settings and files, but not programs. The result is a process that can fairly be characterized as tedious. Laplink Software’s PCmover steps into the gap, promising to move programs and data and settings.

So how well did it do on this migration? Is it worth the extra cost?

Next: Can this PC be upgraded? Should it? –>

Pages: 1 2 3 4

Ed BottEd Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 249 Talkback(s)
can you upgrade to worm? should you?
you should, but you can't, you piece of s h i t (Read the rest)
Posted by: ljenux-23043766007667558234416105604265 Posted on: 11/13/09  (Edited: 11/13/09 @ 04:35) You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
If you take the Microsoft guidelines seriously  chrome_slinky@... | 09/29/09
50  kenbergins | 09/29/09
I guess mentionning the PentiumIII/800 powered HP OmniBook 6000...  914four | 09/29/09
Fair enough  deowll | 09/29/09
I think you mean....  PHOTON_690 | 10/05/09
Yes, you have a point  Thunderbuck | 09/29/09
Here's a half decent PCI graphics card for you:  de-void | 09/30/09
Darn right Ed ...  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  AboKevin | 09/29/09
Yo! Kevin!..  JCitizen | 09/29/09
I think you have a ram issue.  deowll | 09/29/09
Even older laptop  bobtran | 10/09/09
peripherals and Windows 7question  Windycitydreams | 10/12/09
You answered the first question  frgough | 09/29/09
Gee  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/29/09
Gee Ed....  jacarter3 | 09/29/09
different strokes for different folks  nothingness | 09/29/09
Why reinstall XP?  DaveN_MVP | 09/29/09
Obsolete?  kd5auq | 09/29/09
Message has been deleted.  faxmonkey | 09/29/09
Message has been deleted.  teuchter | 09/29/09
Message has been deleted.  adr5@... | 09/29/09
Yes, obsolete  DaveN_MVP | 09/29/09
A very sane reply...  bernalillo | 09/29/09
we need to keep arguments straight here  PHOTON_690 | 10/05/09
And then the time comes that it makes sense to  frgough | 10/09/09
Obsolete?  AndyPagin | 10/13/09
A three minute XP start up time on a 1.2 GhZ  frgough | 09/29/09
RE: A 3 minute XP startup on a 1.2 GHz  bfilipiak@... | 09/29/09
clean install  ttremeth | 09/30/09
re:clean install  tmsbrdrs | 10/01/09
Crazy Mac-Vista hype!  jivester | 09/29/09
But not NEARLY as expensive as the "Just get a Mac!!!" crowd's advice.  James T. Kirk | 09/30/09
Agreed  frgough | 10/09/09
LOL...  condelirios | 09/30/09
$50 that you don't need to spend is expensive  frgough | 10/09/09
Can't please everyone  ttremeth | 09/30/09
Actually people ask me for PC support  frgough | 10/09/09
Ed,  djchandler | 09/29/09
It's so good to feel morally superior  frgough | 10/09/09
RE: conclusions  JakAttak | 09/29/09
You are a coward Ed!  TristanGrimaux | 10/02/09
Did NOT answer the second question  njckrall | 09/30/09
I got the answer...  djchandler | 09/30/09
MS Upgrade Advisor  tmsbrdrs | 10/01/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  kenbergins | 09/29/09
I tried that  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/29/09
No Ed  jacarter3 | 09/29/09
That wouldn't make a compelling case  frgough | 09/29/09
So your time has no value?  rick@... | 09/29/09
I hate that argument  Real World | 09/30/09
It's the difference between "value" and "price"  rick@... | 09/30/09
That's his job  ttremeth | 09/30/09
Ever heard of Ccleaner?  djchandler | 09/29/09
Nicely said  LegendsOfBatman | 09/29/09
Once known as CrapCleaner?  DNSB | 09/29/09
Want the next best thing?  cryptikonline | 09/30/09
CCleaner and Glary  cnjwebtvnet@... | 09/30/09
What Type of Clean Install?  zenwalker | 09/30/09
The fact that you have to do that impunes XP  stano360 | 09/29/09
I agree...  JCitizen | 09/29/09
Thanks for your efforts!...  JCitizen | 09/29/09
An old Mac Mini...  arminw | 09/29/09
Re: What Windows 7 can do for the average home user that Mac OS 10.5 cant  weir.jared@... | 09/29/09
Hope you are enjoying the end of the road...  condelirios | 09/30/09
Not a cleanup but a clean install  DNSB | 09/29/09
More than window dressing  deepee912 | 09/29/09
That's funny!  jacarter3 | 09/29/09
Then don't use it?  NonZealot | 09/29/09
Message has been deleted.  homant@... | 09/29/09
Sounds like a hosed installation..  JCitizen | 09/29/09
More than windows dressing  brunnegd | 10/10/09
Is the migration worth the time savings?  ye | 09/29/09
Good question  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/29/09
This doesn't give me much confidence.  ye | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  lawryll@... | 09/29/09
Way more complicated than that  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/29/09
Ironic?  jeremychappell | 09/29/09
Why would he bother since the Windows 7 ...  mwagner@... | 10/08/09
Hello? Restore partition? anyone?  qbicdesign | 09/30/09
Includes ALL the Sony crap  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/30/09
Includes ALL the Sony crap  Agnostic_OS | 10/11/09
Includes ALL the Sony crap  Agnostic_OS | 10/11/09
As you didn't test it  TristanGrimaux | 10/02/09
See my answer above  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/11/09
I think it would be interesting  johnf76@... | 09/29/09
Yes, interesting approach  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/29/09
That's understandable  johnf76@... | 09/29/09
The One Loose End  DannyO_0x98 | 09/29/09
But... She bought that software, right?  TristanGrimaux | 10/02/09
She can do that, but  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/11/09
Doesn't make a lot of sense.  ye | 09/29/09
If the system runs well on XP  johnf76@... | 09/29/09
Your response doesn't make any sense.  ye | 09/29/09
I'm beginning to think you're right ye..  JCitizen | 09/29/09
He's correct  eMJayy | 09/29/09
I have to disagree.  ye | 09/30/09
It's obvious  eMJayy | 09/30/09
If it's not using 100% then it's just fine.  ye | 09/30/09
No, it's not  eMJayy | 09/30/09
Uh yes, yes it is. Since I'm the one using it I think...  ye | 09/30/09
ye: XP Size  TucsonGuy | 09/29/09
A system originally equipped with Office 2K is about...  ye | 09/30/09
words  dhays | 09/29/09
I'd get rid of McAfee...  JCitizen | 09/29/09
It's not my choice.  ye | 09/29/09
Got it!...Apologies!...(nt)  JCitizen | 10/03/09
I did the same with an HP  stano360 | 09/29/09
ZDNet offered a utility to find lost software keys  jhand47201 | 09/29/09
Yes it works great!...  JCitizen | 09/29/09
re: i think it would be interesting  qbicdesign | 09/30/09
Fine, if Ed's friend was going to ...  mwagner@... | 10/08/09
To 7? Yes!!  zenwalker | 09/29/09
I upgraded a Dell GX-270 to Win7  deepee912 | 09/29/09
I upgraded a Dell GX-260 to Win7  amasys | 09/29/09
Dell GX-series upgrades  Jalapeno Bob | 10/01/09
What, with ZDnet already starting to hype Windows 8?  whisperycat | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  ramnet@... | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  Loverock Davidson | 09/29/09
Message has been deleted.  itanalyst2@... | 09/29/09
can you upgrade to worm? should you?  ljenux-23043766007667558234416105604265 | 11/13/09
Birthday  panelshop | 09/29/09
Birthday 2  kd5auq | 09/29/09
WHy does Microsoft work AGAINST its customers?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/29/09
Because they want us to move to other platforms.  HypnoToad72 | 09/29/09
It is certainly looking that way. Good for Apple?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/29/09
Based on what I have read and friends have said...  socialism=nowhere | 09/29/09
I installed Snow Leopard and...  arminw | 09/29/09
Just saying that at least their OS can easily be upgraded.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/29/09
Amazing- 53 posts before a Mac plug!  jhand47201 | 09/29/09
You can have the....  arminw | 09/29/09
No plug at all.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/29/09
For the same reason an 800 lb gorilla can!  kd5auq | 09/29/09
have you forgotten the support issue  amasys | 09/29/09
More on the support issue:  cornpie | 09/29/09
Then why sell the pro version to home users?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/29/09
It's not a suggestion  UAC nanny screen | 09/30/09
Tehre is no support issue at all, only a $$$ issue.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/29/09
How about 1 GHz P-III with 512 MB RAM  alokgovil | 09/29/09
I installed it on a 600MHz P-III with 768MB of RAM.  ye | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  ATHiker95 | 09/29/09
The specs on this laptop sound like a unit from 2002  GoPower | 09/29/09
Nothing In W7 Worth 2 Months Of My Time  DrSatan | 09/29/09
You should try using TWO hands ...  de-void | 09/30/09
Ok "Mr. Ambidextrous" show me how...  DrSatan | 10/01/09
Upgrade install.  Sleeper Service | 10/02/09
no upgrade path  tmsbrdrs | 10/08/09
Of the apps that you list, several won't be needed  de-void | 10/22/09
Why would you bother with an upgrade, just reinstall fresh with W7  Been_Done_Before | 09/29/09
Thanks for doing this!  spstanley | 09/29/09
XP is fine -- why pay more?  bblackmoor@... | 09/29/09
Several reasons ...  mwagner@... | 09/29/09
I have to disagree with some of these.  ye | 09/29/09
@ye  NStalnecker | 09/29/09
I disagree.  ye | 09/30/09
Even a well-maintained XP system "ages" ...  mwagner@... | 10/02/09
Windows aging  DNSB | 10/11/09
Looks bogus to me  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/11/09
That it does  DNSB | 10/12/09
Couple of nits  DNSB | 09/29/09
You make no sense.  NStalnecker | 09/29/09
If XP is fine, why get Linux?  CobraA1 | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  bobmac@... | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  wmwelch@... | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  boomchuck1 | 09/29/09
I am not at all surprised that this worked  mwagner@... | 09/29/09
Reuse old machine with small Linux distros instead  mmacdonald@... | 09/29/09
OMG - there's always one...linux blog is around the corner...nt  socialism=nowhere | 09/29/09
Was not intending to be redundant  mmacdonald@... | 09/29/09
Linux  janesman2007 | 09/29/09
it was a valid suggestion  tmsbrdrs | 10/08/09
I do just that...  JCitizen | 10/23/09
This assumes that the user is repurposing ...  mwagner@... | 09/29/09
no assumations needed  tmsbrdrs | 10/08/09
Message has been deleted  James T. Kirk | 09/30/09
Great Job Ed - nice article...nt  socialism=nowhere | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  Regats | 09/29/09
Huh? You must be insane!  stano360 | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  brianscook | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  dunndh | 09/29/09
All this blogs stuff...just copy the user file..and clean install!  jivester | 09/29/09
Yes you can  union pier | 09/29/09
Informative and practical article, Ed  djchandler | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  amob23 | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  jtomed@... | 09/29/09
Limited time offer  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  Scottgem | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  fiveohjim1 | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  korn33@... | 09/29/09
I want to dump the hardrive  bernalillo | 09/29/09
try puppy linux  tmsbrdrs | 10/08/09
Clean XP install is a staggering omission.  Clockwork Computer | 09/29/09
But  NStalnecker | 09/29/09
Where will you find XP drivers anymore?  Clockwork Computer | 09/29/09
XP drivers  DNSB | 09/29/09
Yeah, it's a crackup.  Clockwork Computer | 09/30/09
A 'mere' 1GB RAM, 60GB HD obsolete?  BillyRave | 09/29/09
Virtually obsolescent?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/29/09
You Didn't Say It - You Implied it  BillyRave | 10/04/09
I asked, not implied  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/09
Runs fine on 528+ ram, 10 year old computers  gregrocker | 09/29/09
Did This to a Tosh. Qosmio F25-AV205  bunkey91405 | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  no_axe_to__grind | 09/29/09
The Point: Can Old Hardware Run Win 7.  bunkey91405 | 09/29/09
Remember the days  Aussie_Troll | 09/29/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  Mattster67 | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  yagijd | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  cnjwebtvnet@... | 09/30/09
Some of the Atoms seem to support Aero . . .  CobraA1 | 09/30/09
Yeah, it's the onboard GPU that makes the difference (nt)  djchandler | 10/01/09
More thoughts  CobraA1 | 09/30/09
Waste of Time  ceh4702 | 09/30/09
Build a new sub-3-pound notebook?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/30/09
PC 133 memory is too slow ...  mwagner@... | 10/02/09
Depends on the Machine  voska1 | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  steve.wonnell@... | 09/30/09
Sony Memory Stick dedicated to ReadyBoost  theberidox | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  jaytee32 | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  caroku | 09/30/09
Partitioning, Only way to go!  sfaid | 09/30/09
Rock-bottom hardware  alpinesoft | 09/30/09
Here is my question.  bobd08 | 09/30/09
upgrade  ttremeth | 09/30/09
Read my Upgrade FAQ  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  ttremeth | 09/30/09
Impressive article and helpful  marks055@... | 09/30/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  keetrainchild | 10/01/09
There is a fundamental flaw in your article  TristanGrimaux | 10/02/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  ScottyJavea | 10/02/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  ghostridermn1@... | 10/02/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  w_c_mead | 10/03/09
How Did You Know What Programs to Uninstall?  TuneUp Utilities | 10/05/09
I asked  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/05/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  catlovr-20723788969807198650981698774804 | 10/06/09
Yes, whatever happened?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/07/09
Oh, and don't forget that ...  mwagner@... | 10/08/09
There is no good reason to downgrade ...  mwagner@... | 10/08/09
Top Blog  thedailyreviewer | 10/06/09
Never been happy doing an upgrade with any Windows product.  Dr_Zinj | 10/08/09
Windows upgrade  DNSB | 10/09/09
Safest Option  AndyPagin | 10/13/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  rfrett@... | 10/08/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  savarese04 | 10/10/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  brunnegd | 10/10/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  Agnostic_OS | 10/11/09
If you have more than a five year old computer.... buy a new one  Lerianis10 | 10/11/09
Why?  AndyPagin | 10/13/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  ScottyJavea | 10/13/09
RE: Can you upgrade an old XP PC to Windows 7? Should you?  ramnet@... | 10/23/09

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