[alannrobinson]

I am still running XP. I have a complete Windows 7 Professional Install disk. What I would like to do is install the Windows 7 on a new hardrive but still maintain access to my XP operating system while I migrate all of my software and data to the windows 7 system. How do I proceed, I assume do the clean install on a new hard drive, should I disconnect the XP system drive while I do this? What is the process afterwards, can I reconnect the XP drive with no issues or concerns, how can I choose/select which system I wish to boot to....Anything else I should know or be concerned about? Thank you in advance for any advice or council in this regard?

 

[Stancestans]

should I disconnect the XP system drive while I do this?

Yes you should because it's your first time installing Windows and you do not want to format the wrong hard disk.

What is the process afterwards, can I reconnect the XP drive with no issues or concerns

Yes.

how can I choose/select which system I wish to boot to

You can manually choose which hard disk to boot from by loading the boot device menu of your system. HP/Compaq systems use F9 while other systems may use F12 or some other key, so make sure to press the right key for your system to access that menu. Since both disks will have valid boot data, you should be able to boot either OS.

Anything else I should know or be concerned about?

You cannot migrate installed software from one installation of Windows to another. You'll have to install them afresh, so if you bought software and installed it in XP, you'll have to retrieve licensing information (product keys, serials, product numbers etc) because you'll need to reactivate these software in your fresh installation of Windows Seven. Be advised that you may have to repurchase software licenses.

You do not need to be able to boot into XP in order to retrieve your data from the old hard disk, unless you use some specialized software from which you need to export data in a certain format.

 

[alannrobinson]

Wow...Thank you

 

[jcgriff2]

Be sure to run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20

Upgrading from XP to Windows 7 can be a big jump.

Have you checked your system manufacturer +/or device manufacturer's support site for device drivers for Windows 7?

Primarily - video, audio, wifi, Ethernet

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

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