Upgrading to Windows 7

[Tbone]

I'm thinking about upgrading, since I can upgrade from Vista 64 without losing my files if I simply upgrade instead of doing a clean install.

The big problem is the price. It's over $100. I can't afford it. I've "found" a version, but I'm really nervous about making my entire OS a "found" copy. Plus I can't get it to upgrade - only do a clean install.

Is there like a $20 version of Windows 7 somewhere? And yes, I know some of you are going to recommend that I just do a clean install, but I'd almost rather sort the what software works and doesn't work then start from scratch and realize I forgot about this huge group of files I needed.

[Fuse]

Running a found version with zero issues. Otherwise, no there is no $20 version. Gotta pay for what you get, or risk it.

[Subb]

Well if you're a 'student': http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/software/windows/default.aspx

If you have trouble hook me up and I can give you my student ID number (if it asks for it; I haven't a clue if it does.)

[Da6onet]

No external HDD to backup files?

[likwidtek]

back up yo shiz!

[Manic Velocity]

Try craigslist if you want a cheap, legit copy.  I've been looking to upgrade as well, and have seen some locals selling their copies for $50-$60.

[ArchNemesis]

Invest in an external HDD. I have one and absolutely love it. It's probably one of the greatest things i've ever bought for my computer.

[Ash]

And what happens when that fails?

[likwidtek]

Your data should ALWAYS live in at least two places.  Even if you have raid it should be on your machine and a totally different machine with a different power source like an extrernal drive, a NAS or something.

[Tbone]

Yeah, I'm not rich. I have my nice computer and my external for important documents and media, but I don't have a 3rd HD for 1:1 backup. I don't know many personal use that do.

I'm thinking of just wiping and reinstalling. Save the important stuff and make a list of program I will need to get again. Backed up the drivers.

[Eroz]

I don't know where you can get it for $20, the cheapest I know of is from the Microsoft store at $40, but you have to be a full time employee for MS. (I'm still working on getting people to get me a copy.)

[Ash]

Or you could be a Microsoft partner and get it for free.
*cough, cough*

[Enoch]

Every time I reformat (about once every 3 months) I have a whole process that I go through to make sure that I don't lose anything. For starters, get the program CCleaner. In the Tools tab, in the Uninstall menu, there's a button on the bottom right corner that says "Save to text file". It makes a txt file that lists all of the programs you have installed. That makes it easier to organize yourself to re-install all of the old programs you were running.

Then, what everyone else said. Invest in an external HDD. You can get 1TB USB for about 60 bucks. Back up all of your media and documents that is either impossible, or very difficult to download. This includes drivers that are difficult to find, or game saves that you don't want to lose. After that, reformat. I love the feeling of a fresh Windows install. Everything just runs so smooth for those first few days afterward.

As for "found" OSes. I've never had a problem with my Win7 x64 that was "found". Every once in a while, there will be an update that threatens to shut me down, but the "finding" community is pretty good about staying only a step behind those measures.

[Tecknik]

You missed out on the Early Adoption program for students.  Windows 7 Professional Upgrade version (32- or 64-bit) was $30.  

$65 (Subb's link) isn't bad though.  Better than the $175 retail price.

[Lithium]

For backup I use Acronis True Image Home: http://www.acronis.com/

It backups up your entire partition and compresses it up to 50% typically. It then can be restored or accessed like a zip file. Very convenient for restoring a lost drive, upgrading to a new drive, or for moving files to a new computer. Works great over a network too. I basically keep an image of my laptop backed up on my gaming desktop.