Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7

If you’re currently running Vista, it’s a simple to upgrade your PC to Windows 7 and your files and settings won’t even be touched in the process.

Note best way to move to Windows 7 is always a clean install, as it ensures everything is precisely how Microsoft designed it to be from the start.

However, that can be a real pain if you already have a Vista PC set up to your liking. Thankfully, Windows 7 can be upgraded very easily from Vista, but only when you match the version of Windows 7 you buy to your version of Vista.

It isn’t hard to figure out which version you should buy: Vista Home Premium upgrades to Windows 7 Home Premium, for example, and you need to install 32-bit (as opposed to 64-bit) Windows 7 over 32-bit Vista. If you want to check for certain which version is right, use Microsoft’s Upgrade Advisor tool, which scans your current PC and gives you the upgrade information you’ll need.

Upgrade match chart please note upgrades inclued 32 and 64 bit versions
Your Current Windows Vista		Version of Windows 7 you can upgrade to and still keep your files and settings
	Vista Home Basic 32bit	Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit or Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
	Vista Home Premium 32bit	Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit or Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
	Vista Home Premium 64bit	Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit or Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
	Vista Business 32bit	Windows 7 Professional 32 bit or Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
	Vista Business 64bit	Windows 7 Professional 64 bit or Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
	Vista Ultimate 32bit	Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
	Vista Ultimate 64bit	Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

Please Note

Unfortunately, "upgrade" refers to two different things and therefore causes a lot of confusion: 

1) Licensing - the ability to purchase an "upgrade" copy of the new OS at a reduced price based on having a licensed prior version. You CAN do this for Windows 7 if you have ANY version of Windows since Windows 2000. The new license is valid even if you install the 64-bit version of Windows 7 and your previous OS was 32-bit. 

2) Installation - the ability to install the new OS onto an existing system while keeping all of the existing accounts and installed software intact. With Windows 7 you can only do this if the previous system was Vista and only if it's a 32-bit to 32-bit upgrade or a 64-bit to 64-bit upgrade. All other combinations require you that you migrate your accounts and reinstall your software after installing Windows 7.