If upgrading OS(to windows 7) from XP, how would i keep all my work, files, etc? -

I have an MSi wind netbook. I have windows xp on it now, and have all my files, applications, folders, etc on it as it is. Can i install the new windows (7, which is similar to Vista), and still keep all my folders/files and such so after i install Win.7, all my files and folders will still be ready for use as they were originally? also, how would i delete XP, if i decide to keep Win 7?

Since Windows 7 is beta, you re asking the wrong question. NEVER run a beta on a working computer. If it crashes and eats your hard drive (and it could very well do that - it s a beta), you lose your files. All of them. You run a beta on a computer that s being used ONLY to test that particular program. Then, if it crashes hard, you just report the crash and reinstall it to try again. People who aren t experienced beta testers should never even download beta versions. We keep getting questions here about recovering data from computers on which beta versions of programs hard crashed. It s an easier way of losing everything than downloading torrents is. Since you d be running 7 on a computer that doesn t have any files you need, you wouldn t have the problem of keeping the files you need, so ... no question. If you insist on installiing it on a working computer: Back up all your work, files, etc., to off-computer storage (CD, flash drive, external drive that you then disconnect, etc.) Install 7 without formatting. You wouldn t delete XP - installing 7 replaces XP. If you decide that you DON T want to keep 7, you d reinstall XP. (If you don t have an XP installation CD, the question is moot, since you won t be able to reinstall XP.) Reinstalling XP over 7 might reqire that you format the drive first - some versions of Windows won t install over certain other versions. I have no idea whether XP will install over 7 - 7 didn t exist when XP was written. You re really on your own when it comes to beta testing. The idea isn t to get the new version before everyone else does, it s to report the bugs (and there will be bugs) you find in the beta.

i recommend you back up every program or file you ve ever had to an external hard drive before you do any upgrade. and make sure you have the original xp cd that came with your computer just in case you don t like 7.i think maybe when you upgrade to 7, it just overwrites xp and you can roll back to xp if you re not satisfied. you also should back up your drivers and programs that came with the computer by going to start--all programs--accessories--system tools--back up, you ll need a dvd or two for this. you MUST back up your music, files and personal documents to dvd or and external drive on your own though. then you can load them back onto the comp. when you upgrade. i also read that windows movie maker and windows photo gallery and a couple other programs will not be included in 7 which is why i suggested you back up all your drivers and programs. good luck with your upgrade.

You can t upgrade XP to Windows 7..You can only install it from boot. You don t have to delete XP.You can just install Windows 7 in another partition as a separated OS. And if you wanna remove xp it s simple.When you are installing Windows 7 in to the same partition that you have installed XP it will move to a new folder called windows old.After you install Windows 7 you can delete that folder and you can get what you need.. Don t be afraid to install Windows 7 beta version..It s safe to use now.Latest version is Windows 7 beta Build 7000

When Windows 7 is ready, you will be able to upgrade seamlessly from both XP and Windows Vista. If you performed an upgrade (as opposed to a clean install), you would automatically lose XP in the process. Onuora http://www.windows7update.com