Purchase or Upgrade to New Version of Windows? (RAM, hard drive, reinstall)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My PC has Windows XP.
I want to keep the PC, so obviously I need to change to a New Version of Windows.
I'm confused as to what the difference is between purchase of the New Version Windows Install Disk (with the license) OR Upgrading to a New Version Windows ( with purchase of the license)?
I'm wondering is ...reinstalling Windows with the New Version essentially upgrading,.. isn't it
Probably a dumb question to all you pros out there
Not sure what you're asking? XP qualifies as a previous OS to purchase the Windows 7 upgrade license (it's cheaper than the full version), but you can't actually do an upgrade, a format of the hard drive and clean install is required.
Not sure what you're asking? XP qualifies as a previous OS to purchase the Windows 7 upgrade license (it's cheaper than the full version), but you can't actually do an upgrade, a format of the hard drive and clean install is required.
So purchasing an upgrade license rather than a full version is cheaper?
I've seen the new Window versions for sale but not just the ungrade license.
Would I get an installation disk? ... Or is it done online?
I was told the difference is .... when the new version is installed, it will automatically wipe out everything on the hard drive, ... where as if I take my PC to a shop and they 'save' all my programs and files and then install the new version and reinstall all my old programs and files, it is called an upgrade.
I'm thinking I could save all my stuff to an external hard drive myself and install the new version.
How much RAM and Hard drive space do you have? Why do like you're current computer?
RAM is 2.75 GB.
It's a 500 GB Hard Drive with 427 GB of free space.
My current computer was put together less than 3 years ago and I should have had Windows 7 put on at the time, but I decided to put XP on because I had already purchased it ahead and I was so used to using XP. I was told at the time that using XP would limit the amount of RAM I could use, so I plan to add more RAM when I change to the new version of Windows.
Why get an entire new system if all it needs is a new version of Window.
An upgrade is when you move to a newer version of Window without having to reinstall all of your programs, or backup and restore your data.
As I stated you cannot do an upgrade (in the normal sense, keeping all of your data and programs) when going from XP to Windows 7 or 8, and you do have to make sure your hardware is current enough for a newer OS.
Upgrade - Can only be installed if you own a previous version of Windows (usually going back 2-3 versions). Also, the Upgrade licence is permanently tied to the old version of Windows. So you're only allowed to install the new version of Windows on another computer if you're allowed to install the old version on a new computer as well (usually not the case when Windows came with the computer).
Full - Can be installed without owning a previous version of Windows. The advantage of Full is that you can install it on another computer at another time. This is typically more expensive... but Windows pricing has been competitive recently.
RAM is 2.75 GB.
It's a 500 GB Hard Drive with 427 GB of free space.
My current computer was put together less than 3 years ago and I should have had Windows 7 put on at the time, but I decided to put XP on because I had already purchased it ahead and I was so used to using XP. I was told at the time that using XP would limit the amount of RAM I could use, so I plan to add more RAM when I change to the new version of Windows.
Why get an entire new system if all it needs is a new version of Window.
RAM is 2.75 GB.
It's a 500 GB Hard Drive with 427 GB of free space.
My current computer was put together less than 3 years ago and I should have had Windows 7 put on at the time, but I decided to put XP on because I had already purchased it ahead and I was so used to using XP. I was told at the time that using XP would limit the amount of RAM I could use, so I plan to add more RAM when I change to the new version of Windows.
Windows Vista, 7 and 8 come in 32 bit and 64 bit. The 32 bit versions have the same memory limitation as XP, about 3.5GB or so. You'll need to install the 64 bit version to utilize more RAM.
My PC has Windows XP.
I want to keep the PC, so obviously I need to change to a New Version of Windows.
I'm confused as to what the difference is between purchase of the New Version Windows Install Disk (with the license) OR Upgrading to a New Version Windows ( with purchase of the license)?
I'm wondering is ...reinstalling Windows with the New Version essentially upgrading,.. isn't it
Probably a dumb question to all you pros out there
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
