Should I install Windows 7 now or wait? [closed]

Question

I have early access to Windows 7 and am thinking about upgrading my Vista laptop soon. Should I wait until the general release and see how everyone fairs, or is it pretty low risk to upgrade now? Has anyone else had any good/bad experiences with this?

Answer 1

I am already using it. I say it is defintly worth upgrading.

Check out some reviews

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49303203-1,00.htm http://technmarketing.com/tech/pc/windows-7-rtm-a-personal-review/

Answer 2

If you have Technet or MSDN, I would get the RTM now, this is the final edition and would be the same as if you purchase it with a computer ( without bloatware), or upgrade / fully packaged product.

Answer 3

A slightly less disruptive solution than upgrading might be to simply dual-boot Vista and Windows 7 together.

That way, you can't lose - as long as you have ample disk space for both of course. To do this, re-partition your drive (if you only have one) using a tool such as GParted and install Windows 7 into that new partition.

The installation process sets your computer up so you have the option of both versions when you go to boot up.

If you don't like Windows 7 or have problems with compatibility, you can simply boot straight back into Vista without wasting another second.

If you do like it and want to stick with it, you will have access to your old Vista partition within Windows 7 to easily copy files and whatnot across. You can then format the Vista partition and re-partition again with GParted to make Windows 7 use the full disk space.

On another note, I have been using Windows 7 since the RC months ago (now using the RTM) and would definitely recommend taking the plunge. I had a few problems with driver compatibility to start with but eventually found workarounds.

Answer 4

I've taken the plunge. Well worth it.

Answer 5

Yes! Do it! Ride the wave of early adoption! :D

Seriously though, WinXP is too old, and Vista has issues, if you're stuck with Windows, 7 is awesome.

Answer 6

I installed Windows 7 about 2 days after RTM and I haven't had any issues. I was running the Beta and RC as well with little to no issues.

Answer 7

Are you, or are you not, a superuser? Changing your operating system should be no more traumatic than changing your socks. Do it!

Answer 8

By all means, do it now. It's a major upgrade over Vista in terms of usability, and it's very unlikely that you will run into driver issues as Win7 is compatible with all Vista-certified drivers.

I've tried it both ways; upgrade and clean install. Upgrade worked fine on one machine, but I ran into a few problems on the other one - it had SQL Server Management Studio Express 2005 installed, and the upgrade broke Management Studio but put it into an odd state where it wouldn't uninstall but I couldn't install an upgrade. Everything else, including low level software like Virtual CloneDrive, continued to work.

I'd recommend a clean install if possible, and the 64 bit build if your hardware will support it. I've never had a single problem with drivers or software incompatibility with the x64 build, which I'm running on 4 machines (2 desktops and 2 laptops).

Answer 9

Is there any good reason for you to want to upgrade? or is it just to try the latest. If so, you'd have to weight the probability of bugs and lack of information against any advantages it could has.

the main thing you'd probably want to test, or research, is the support for your favorite programs. it really depends what use you give your laptop.

cheers!

Answer 10

why not decide for yourself? try before you buy and enjoy a free 90 days test drive

Answer 11

Originally made for Vista, but still describes my point of view.