Systems that are currently running Windows 7 can be upgraded to Windows 8. Systems that have been downgraded to Windows XP Professional must use the Custom Install option. A Custom install replaces the current operating system but does not preserve software application, data or settings.
Not all application or operating system features supported by Windows 7 are supported by Windows 8. Before upgrading your Windows 7 PC it is important to know what devices and applications you are using today that will require updates or replacement.
For a complete assessment of your Windows 7 PC and the applications in use click on this link and download the Windows Upgrade Assistant tool. This up-to-date assessment tool will scan your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices and installed programs and recommends what to do before you upgrade.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/en-us/CompatCenter/Home
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR BACKING UP YOUR FILES AND UPGRADING FROM WINDOWS 7 TO WINDOWS 8.
BACKING UP YOUR FILES
- Obtain a large USB or external hard drive on which to transfer and store all of your files and settings.
- Plug in the external hard drive.
- Launch Windows Easy Transfer:
Click Start › All Programs › Accessories › System Tools › Windows Easy Transfer. - At the Welcome to Windows Easy Transfer screen, click Next.
- You may be prompted to close certain applications before proceeding.
- If prompted, choose to start a new backup.
- You may be asked if this is the new or old PC. Choose old PC.
- At the Choose how to transfer files and program settings screen, select External hard disk or to a network location.
- At the Choose network location screen, enter the path to the USB drive.
- Set a password if desired.
- Click Next.
- At the What do you want to transfer to your new computer? screen, select All user accounts, files, and settings.
- At the Review selected files and settings screen, make changes if necessary, then click Transfer.
- After the migration file is created, verify that it has been saved to your USB drive or network share.
- Disconnect the USB Drive, and proceed with the Windows 8 installation process.
INSTALLING THE UPGRADE:
- Turn on the PC.
- If your Windows 8 upgrade was supplied on a DVD, go on to step 3. If your Windows upgrade was supplied as a download, follow the onscreen instruction for creating a DVD or Bootable USB Flash drive.
- Insert the Windows 8 DVD into your DVD or plug the Bootable Windows 8 USB Flash drive into an available USB port.
- If the install window does not open automatically, double-click setup.exe from the DVD.
- Click Install Now.
- Follow the instructions on screen.
- When you reach the Windows Setup screen you will be given two options: Upgrade (install Windows and keeps file settings and compatible apps.) Custom (install Windows only) Select Upgrade.
- Select other options as appropriate.
- Do not restart or shut down your computer until the upgrade process has completed!
- After the installation is complete, run Windows Update to obtain the latest Windows updates, and other updates as needed.
- Plug in the external hard drive or other device you backed your files up to.
- Run the Windows Easy Transfer wizard to restore your backed up files.
CUSTOM INSTALL (Clean install of the OS):
- Turn on the PC.
- If your Windows 8 upgrade was supplied on a DVD, go on to step 3. If your Windows upgrade was supplied as a download, follow the onscreen instruction for creating a DVD or Bootable USB Flash drive.
- Insert the Windows 8 DVD into your DVD or plug the Bootable Windows 8 USB Flash drive into an available USB port.
- If the install window does not open automatically, double-click setup.exe from the DVD.
- Click Install Now.
- Follow the instructions on screen.
- When you reach the Windows Setup screen you will be given two options: Upgrade (install Windows and keeps files settings and compatible apps.) Custom (install Windows only) Select Custom
- The next screen will give you drive options, you may choose to install Windows 8 in an available drive partition or select advanced drive options, delete the existing partitions and do a clean install on the unformatted drive.
- Do not restart or shut down your computer until the upgrade process has completed!
- After the installation is complete, run Windows Update to obtain the latest Windows updates, and other updates as needed.
- Plug in the external hard drive or other device you backed your files up to.
