Switching Dell Optiplex 360 From Xp To Vista

Hi. I have a Dell Optiplex 360 that came loaded with xp and vista. It also came with a windows 7 upgrade dvd.

I opted for xp and it has been running on xp. I need to upgrade to vista for obvious reasons. As mentioned, it is already installed on the computer but I have no clue how to go about switching the computer over from xp to vista. Can someone walk me through this or provide a link to a support article that has step by step instructions.

If possible, including how and what to backup first so I don't loose emails, favorites, docs, etc. that would be great too.

thanks!

 

You will need a copy of Vista for the upgrade/install. I don't have a 32 bit copy of Vista, so the .iso image on my OneDrive will not be able to upgrade your OS. Only a clean install will be possible.

Your e-mails should be on your provider's server, unless you've downloaded them and deleted them from the aforementioned server. As far as favorites, you will have to copy those from their file locations, or use the export option depending on your browser.

You can back things up to a flash drive, external hard drive, or partition your hard drive and make one your OS, and the other your data. As far as the last option, make sure you don't format the wrong one during install.

 

I have a reinstall CD for vista that came with it but it says that it is already on the computer. are you saying that I just put the vista cd in and install?

 

While you're logged into your desktop, put the disc in the drive and run the executable.

That's called an "in place" upgrade. It may work, it may not. If it doesn't, the product key will work with a 32 or 64 bit version of Vista.

 

The dvd I have isn't an "upgrade" to vista dvd. It is a Reinstallation DVD for Windows Vista Business 32 bit sp1 and it says across the top: "already installed on your computer"

 

Did you attempt an in place upgrade, or are you assuming it won't work?

 

Hi. I am going to try and do it on friday (I don't have the time to do it until then). I am saving all my files right now just in case something goes wrong. Will I need to reinstall all my programs after a vista install? So I should be logged in and just put the cd in. The executable file will have a .exe extension? Thanks for your help!

 

The apps can be a crapshoot sometimes. For example, windows 10 will do you the "favor" of removing apps it considers incompatible. Yet, I use the same executable file from the download folder to reinstall them after the "favor". ????!!

When you're at you're desktop, go to File Explorer, click on the CD/DVD drive, and you will see a file named "Install".

It's always an adventure, but you've taken the most important first step. BACKUP.