I suggest you make a stack of physical programs, and put the downloaded files into a folder in My Documents. If you downloaded the program, you'll have to either find the installation file or download the latest version (really your best option). If you bought a program as a physical package, you'll need the disc. You need to gather up installable versions of all of the programs on your hard drive that you want to keep.

But if you're planning a clean (aka custom) install, you've got more preparation to do.

If you're doing a simple upgrade, you're done with prep work and can skip down to the 'Run the Upgrade' section below. Run the backup overnight, with plans to do the upgrade the following morning. Also, be sure to create the bootable Rescue CD (this option is on Macrium Reflect's Other Tasks menu) before you start the upgrade.Īn image backup of a really big hard drive can take hours. Plug in the external hard drive before you create the image, and select that drive as the Backup destination. I recommend the free version of Macrium Reflect for image backup, although others will do.

To create one, you'll need an external hard drive, and an image backup program. Can't find all your software product keys? Product Key Explorer can hunt them down for you.Īn image backup of your hard drive offers an easy, dependable way to do just that, since it restores everything on the hard drive: Windows, applications, data, and even the Master Boot Record. Whatever the reason, you need a way to go back to where you were before. Maybe you just don't like the new interface.

Some important program or device won't work in the new environment. No matter how good your precautions, operating system upgrades can go horribly wrong. See ' Firmware and You: A Comprehensive Guide to Updating Your Hardware' for details. Go to your system manufacturer's site for system firmware updates. Speaking of hardware and visiting manufacturers' Web sites, now would be a good time to update your firmware, especially if you're not in the habit of doing this on a regular basis. You can also check your devices' manufacturer Web sites. Once you know the devices, how do you find the drivers? Check the Windows 7 Compatibility Center At press time, that site was still 'coming soon,' but the Vista equivalent is a good substitute until it's ready, especially for XP-to-Win7 upgraders.

Macrium reflect 6 free upgrade to 7