There is no direct upgrade path from Windows XP 32 Bit to Windows 7 32 Bit/64 Bit. The only upgrade path is Windows XP 32 Bit → Windows Vista 32 Bit → Windows 7 32 Bit but this will likely lead to dreadful performance and take even longer to install. I advise clean installing Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit directly with a Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit with Service Pack 1 Reinstallation DVD. As you have so many computers you might want to consider using volume licensing: [URL]#tab=3 Although they are all different models you might still want to consider making an image of one system which includes work network settings and commonly preinstalled software such as Microsoft.net Framework 4.0, Silverlight, Microsoft Office (also enquire about Microsoft Office volume licensing), Microsoft Mathematics, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, JAVA, Firefox, Security Programs etc. Also fully update Windows before making the image; Microsoft never released a Service Pack 2 for Windows 7 meaning there are well over 100 updates for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and installing Windows Updates alone on 27 computers will be very time-consuming. An OptiPlex 755, 760, 790 for example are good to use as a base system for the image as these have basic functionality under Windows 7 without installation of system drivers thus allowing you to download all the Windows Updates. You can install the drivers separately (in the correct order) after on each individual system after applying the image.
Hi, Firstly, sorry I accidentally posted this in the Desktop | Hardware forum. I've now put it in the Win OS section. I've tried searching around for this, but not sure if exactly my scenario is covered (and I've not found anything helpful). Over recent years, we have been buying Dell desktops and laptops with OEM Windows 7 Pro licenses and have opted to downgrade them to Win XP. Much equipment has been replaced and now, when we do that, we now just put Win 7 on the desktop. I also have some old kit that did not come with a Win 7 OEM license and I know I'll be replacing those computers. But I do have approx 27 computers running XP that has a Win 7 license sticker (all these are Professional version and we've installed 32-bit versions btw). I used a machine as a guinea pig yesterday with the Dell branded WIndows 7 reinstallation disk - I've used this many times to do a fresh install, but only this time I tried to do an upgrade. But I get the error that this version of Windows cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 and it tells me to do a custom (fresh) install and use the Easy Transfer Wizard from Microsoft. I have sort of resigned myself to the fact that I will have to backup, format, do a Windows 7 fresh install, install updates, install all our applications then migrate the user data back on, but with approx 27 to do, I wondered if there is an easier solution? They are a mixture of 6 laptop models and 3 or more desktop models (Latitude, Vostro and Optiplex) so it wouldn't really benefit me to do a standard image for each model. Anybody offer any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Mat
No option to Upgrade Win XP to Win 7 (machine has Win 7 OEM Stickers but we 
downgraded to XP at the time of purchase)