Windows Home Basic Upgrade

[Echium]

I need to upgrade from Windows Home Basic so that I can ultimately download Windows 10. I have found a disc that I can purchase that will upgrade me to Windows 7 and then I can get the free download to Windows 10.

 

I've never done anything like this before and wondered what will happen to the files I have on my computer, letters, photos, family tree software etc. I've also never got the hang of backups so any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

This Windows Home Basic, you didn't say which type, is it Windows XP Home Basic?

Also and quite importantly, can you please tell us the make and model of the computer itself.

If it is an XP machine and fairly old, the chances are that it cannot be upgraded, however we will know better if you can answer those questions.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

Hi and welcome from me too.

 

There is a Windows-7 compatibility tool here - click here - It will tell you if your system can cope with Win-7

[Echium]

Info Required

 

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

This Windows Home Basic, you didn't say which type, is it Windows XP Home Basic?

Also and quite importantly, can you please tell us the make and model of the computer itself.

If it is an XP machine and fairly old, the chances are that it cannot be upgraded, however we will know better if you can answer those questions.

 

Nev.

 

Hi Nev

 

It is Windows Vista Home Basic. The following is I think the make and model but I could be wrong.

 

AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ 4GB Memory

NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE nForce 430

 

I didn't buy it as a specific computer, it was from a place that builds them depending on what you want to use them for and I have since had more memory added.

 

Hope this was what you needed.

 

Thanks

[Plastic Nev]

Hi OK thanks for the information. It is likely that it can be upgraded to Windows 7, however I would use that compatibility tool that KenB linked to to be sure of that at least. However that may not be enough for the upgrade to Windows 10, you would need a similar upgrade check first as it is common knowledge that some of the older NVidia components and drivers cannot be upgraded to Windows 10. A compatibility check will tell you that.

 

Now for the important part of securing your data. If the disk you can buy is the full Microsoft Windows 7 disk you will definitely need to store all your pictures, documents, music etc elsewhere and also have any programs disks or other media to hand so they can be reinstalled if the upgrade path doesn't work, or if you have to use the custom or clean install method.

I seriously recommend using an external hard drive for storing your data as a backup.

 

It is crucial to be sure you do have the correct Windows 7 disk and not any form of so called recovery or rescue disk, it must be the Microsoft issued full Windows 7 disk that you have bought. Also be sure you are installing the correct 32bit or 64bit version to match what your computer can work with, do you know which it is?

 

Here is a full tutorial (Saves me typing) from Microsoft for how to perform the upgrade.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7#T1=tab01

 

For the full instructions either the XPS or the PDF link and as recommended get the instructions printed so you can follow them through each stage.

 

Nev.