I did mine from Vista Home Premium 64 bit to Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit.  It was the easiest upgrade I can remember.  You can do back ups but I didn't and didn't lose anything.  The upgrade walks you through step by step, I'm some of a clutz and didn't have any problems. 

Just read the information on the screen before you press a key.  I myself find that very hard to do. 

The only thing that I did that might be considered unnecessary, was to go back to default setup on anything that was changed using Stardock software like WBs, Icons, CursorFX etc. and then turned off things like Object Dock and DX Themes and Widgets.

I think if you have 32 bit, you're going to have to do a clean install, so it won't be as easy as mine was (or Philly0381's); you're going to have to reinstall your other software, and you'll lose data if you haven't backed it up somewhere; still, I think Microsoft did their best to make this upgrade easier than they have in the past.

That is correct k10w3, I just took it that Po was staying with 32 bit.

pop it the disc and follow directions. it'll take a bit of time but it'll install eventually. i'm sure they didn't send a 64 bit disc since your rig came with 32 bit. i know with the gateway/acer/emachines upgrade path, they want you to back everything up but it isn't absolutely needed. you can back stuff up if ya want, tho. i've yet to see an upgrade installation destroy personal data. upgrading takes quite a while, tho.

I use IZarc, which is free, and I'm using Windows 7.  You can download it here:  http://www.izarc.org/

So...I get the feeling I'm stressing too much about this? lol

Thanks folks. Guess I just gotta jump right in.

allow me to clarify my earlier statement. if you're going to do a fresh (clean format) install, definitely back up your data.if you'reg going to do an upgrade, i see no need to back up data since i've yet to see a loss of data during an upgrade. given a choice between a fresh install and an upgrade, i most definitely would choose a fresh install.

Back things up.

There IS NO sensible alternative.

Think of your data like the sticker I have on my bike....which reads...

"If you value your life as much as I value my bike....then don't fuck with it."

Only fools and horses don't backup....

Hey Ed, there is no direct update from XP to Win 7 (different architecture), it has to be a clean install.  However, you can select a different installation path via 'Advanced Settings' to clean install Win 7 on different drive/partition to XP, thus leaving it intact and operable should you ever need it.   Also, an OEM version, which you don't need a previous version to qualify, may actually cost you less than an uprade version.

Thing is with that, though, an OEM is either or 32 bit, 64 bit... not both.  Meaning, if you plan to build a new machine later, you might want to wait to purchase an OEM copy of Win 7 until then, if you'd rather run 64 bit, that is.

I've backed up all the important stuff.

I don't know if I can do a clean install. I assume you are tralking about partitioning my HD and running both? I don't know if I can or want to.

I can return my PC to factory condition, do the updates, and then do the W7 upgrade. I suppose that would be as close as I could get to a 'clean' install. (?) I'm not sure.

I have windowblinds I started in Vista. WHat happens to them? Shit. This is a pain in the ass.

Hi Ed,

If you buy the retail version of Win 7, it comes with both 32 and 64 bit versions.  The OEM might save you up front but the retail version may save you in the long term.