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Tech Tips / Windows XP / Installation and Configuration

Upgrade vs. fresh install?

Whenever you install a new operating system, you're faced with a dilemma: Should you upgrade the existing environment and thus preserve all the settings and applications, or should you do a fresh install and start from scratch? With Windows XP installation in front of you, you may be dreading revisiting this time-honored predicament. Don't.

If you want the best of both worlds, take a look at Windows XP's Files And Settings Transfer Wizard. This wizard allows you to save system and application settings and your data into a file that can then be used to restore these settings later. If you upgrade to Windows XP, save the settings with the wizard, do a fresh install, and then restore the settings, you get an almost perfect solution. (You'll only have to reinstall your applications.) The Files And Settings Transfer Wizard is located under Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Files And Settings Transfer Wizard.

You can currently upgrade to Windows XP Home Edition from the following operating systems:

• Windows 98 (all versions)
• Windows Millennium Edition

You can currently upgrade to Windows XP Professional from the following operating systems:

• Windows 98 (all versions)
• Windows Millennium Edition
• Windows NT 4.0 Workstation (Service Pack 6 and later)
• Windows 2000 Professional (including service packs)
• Windows XP Home Edition