Microsoft smooths netbook jump to Windows 7

• Tags:
• Upgrade,
• USB,
• Netbook,
• Windows XP

Ina Fried CNET News

Published: 23 Oct 2009 10:10 BST

After months of grappling with the issue of how to allow owners of netbooks with Windows XP to move to Windows 7, Microsoft is ready with its answer.

On Thursday, Microsoft added a tool to its online store that will allow those who buy Windows 7 to create a bootable USB drive with the operating system that can then be used to upgrade a netbook.

"There are lots of XP netbooks out there," Microsoft's Chris Flores said in an interview. "We wanted to make it as easy as possible for the enthusiasts that want to do this."

For the full story, see Exclusive: Easing XP Netbook owners' path to Windows 7 on CNET News.

• Roundup: Microsoft Windows 7
• Review: Windows 7 Ultimate
• Windows, OS X, Ubuntu: maturity or stagnation?
• Microsoft releases Windows 7 worldwide
• Comment: Ten reasons Windows 7 could flop
• Businesses offered free trial of Windows 7
• Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP
• How Microsoft can make Windows 7 a success
• Windows 7 — as good as it gets
• Photos: new Windows 7 notebooks

Did you find this article useful?

• Share this article:
• Digg
• Slashdot
• Del.ici.ous
• Stumble
• Reddit

Post a comment

Full Talkback thread

0 comments

• Most Recent
• Most Popular
• Most Discussed

More in this Special Report

Roundup: Microsoft Windows 7

Learn about Windows 7 highlights — and potential pitfalls — and find out what the new operating system could mean for your organisation more

Review: Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been: it's where Microsoft needs to go. Whether it will persuade people to finally abandon XP remains to be seen... more

Windows, OS X, Ubuntu: maturity or stagnation?

Which is the best operating system — Windows 7, OS X 10.6 or Ubuntu 9.10? The question is almost pointless more

Microsoft releases Windows 7 worldwide

Microsoft released Windows 7, the latest version of its market-dominating operating system, around the world on Thursday more

Comment: Ten reasons Windows 7 could flop

Many expect Windows 7 to triumph where Vista failed, but there are good grounds for doubt, says Jack Wallen more

Businesses offered free trial of Windows 7

Microsoft has introduced two more ways for companies to try out the new operating system ahead of its launch in October, including a 90-day free trial of Windows 7 Enterprise more

Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP

Microsoft is hoping Windows 7 will succeed where Vista failed. Our tests with the RTM build suggest that, at least in terms of performance, Windows 7 may deliver the goods more

How Microsoft can make Windows 7 a success

Many businesses have given Vista a wide berth; Microsoft must focus on five areas to make sure Windows 7 doesn't suffer the same fate, argues TechRepublic's Jason Hine more

Windows 7 — as good as it gets

Microsoft's latest version of Windows looks solid and useful. But it's no guide to the future of IT — or Microsoft more

Photos: new Windows 7 notebooks

Most people will get Windows 7 preinstalled on a new computer. Here are some new and updated Windows 7 notebooks that we'd be happy to make the upgrade with. more

Video

Install Flash Player plugin

• Find out more: From The Labs: A look at...

• All videos
• Most popular videos
• Latest videos

Microsoft Windows 7 Special Report Special Report

How Microsoft can make Windows 7 a success

Comment Many businesses have given Vista a wide berth; Microsoft must focus on five areas to make sure Windows 7 doesn't suffer the same fate, argues TechRepublic's Jason Hiner

News Microsoft: Many Windows 7 features can be disabled

Leader Windows 7 — as good as it gets

More Special Reports