New HDD - perform a copy/install

Hi

Personally best route I would use clean install Windows 7 and then reinstall the software applications as XP to Windows 7 is not a supported upgrade path and can cause issues due to old legacy files from XP.

Can use Windows Easy Transfer app to move docs, many settings and prefs to Windows 7, but will not copy apps as registrys on XP to Win7 are different in somes areas.

Yes would be best for reason I outligned above due to legacy old files from previous OS and the registry changes.


A clean install will in the end give a more stable PC.


Just remember to download any drivers you may need and get the ones for Windows 7 and for the bit version you are using so 32bit or 64bit, it makes a difference.

If installing 64bit Windows, check that applications are compatible with this version, just get latest versions of your favoured apps.

Run the Windows Upgrade Advisor on your XP install first on the old HDD (if you can) to see if your hardware/software may have issues.

Make sure you not only copy your important files using Windows Easy Transfer but also manually back them up, as in any applciations you downloaded, music, video, Internet Favorites, Docs, Images/Pics, also check for applications that need a serial key, that you still have them.

Make a list of applications you defaulty had installed and want to install again, is easy to tick them off a list once you installed them.