How To Upgrade From XPPro X86 to Windows 7 X64

1. Visit the 'Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor' website and download the upgrade advisor. This a special program from Microsoft that will evaluate your computer and tell you if you are able to run the x64 edition of Windows 7. It will also tell you if any peripherals you have installed (printers, webcams, etc.) are going to a problem. Double-click the program once it finishes downloading and then click 'install.' Once it finishes installing, click 'close.' The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will run and tell you if your computer is capable of running Windows 7 and if you can use the x64 edition.
2. Download and install Windows Easy Transfer. This is a special program from Microsoft designed to make it easy to complete your upgrade to Windows 7. Once each program has been installed, attach your external hard drive. Click the 'Start' button. Select 'All Programs' and then select 'Windows Easy Transfer.' Click 'Next.' Select your external hard drive from the list that appears. Click 'This is my old computer.' Click 'Save.' If you don't want to save the settings for certain user accounts, just uncheck those boxes. Click 'Save' again. The software will then make an exact copy of all your personal files and settings to be re-installed when you finish your upgrade to Windows 7. When the program finishes, you will see a message, 'These files and settings have been saved for your transfer.' Click 'Next.' Click 'Next' again and then click 'Close.'
3. Insert the Windows 7 disk into your computer's DVD drive. Reboot your computer. You will see a message saying 'press any key to boot from CD...' Do so. You will be asked to provide the date and your language preferences. Once you are finished, click 'Next.'
4. Click 'I accept the license terms' and then click 'Next.' Select 'Custom' when asked what kind of installation you would like to perform. Select the hard drive where Windows XP was installed (Typically, this 'C:'). Click 'Next.' You will see a dialog box asking about saving your old copy of Windows. Click 'OK' The software will proceed to install Windows 7. When it comes close to completion, it will ask you for additional information, such as your user account names and the number on your certificate of authenticity. Simply enter the information requested and continue to click 'Next' at each prompt. Once the software has finished, you can click 'close.'
5. Click the 'Start' button (note: it no longer says 'start' but is instead the Windows logo). Select 'Computer' and double-click the external hard drive. Double-click 'Windows Easy Transfer -- Items from old computer.' Click 'Next.' Click 'Transfer.' All your old files and settings will be restored. Click 'Close.' Now, simply re-install the programs you wish to use under Windows 7.