What exactly transfers from Windows 7 to Windows 10 after Download.

I'm not a computer whiz so bear with me on this one.

After Windows 10 is downloaded into my HP Pavilion dv7 laptop currently running Windows 7 SP-1, will all of my pictures, files, desktop icons, etc. that are stored on this computer be transferred 'into' the Windows 10 OS, or will I lose them after the OS download?

Arizona said:

I'm not a computer whiz so bear with me on this one.

After Windows 10 is downloaded into my HP Pavilion dv7 laptop currently running Windows 7 SP-1, will all of my pictures, files, desktop icons, etc. that are stored on this computer be transferred 'into' the Windows 10 OS, or will I lose them after the OS download?

Welcome to W10F 'Arizona'! :)

By rights, your files and settings should be saved but you will have to re-install your apps/programs;
however, I would make backups of everything anyway!

Edwin said:

Welcome to W10F 'Arizona'! :)

By rights, your files and settings should be saved but you will have to re-install your apps/programs;
however, I would make backups of everything anyway!

I was under the impression that Windows 10 will be an upgrade and most programs will not have to be reinstalled. Hence the discussion about being able to optionally do a clean install after the upgrade. Where's the documentation regarding this matter?

Probably no official documentation yet, but going from 8, to 8.1, then to 10 builds all Modern Store apps were carried over. Win32 desktop apps don't. Of course Modern Store apps wouldn't apply to the OP.

I would imagine the usual pics, docs, etc. will carry over. IE favorites might, although there's a new browser. Desktop icons definitely wouldn't. Last I heard the upgrade assistant for Windows 10 is not yet available as Windows 10 is still in development phase. I suggest running that when released. General release is July 28. No set date for RTM yet.

If upgrading and not fresh install there should be a Windows.old file created. Edwin's suggestion to backup everything is best. One should always perform that at least monthly if not weekly. Backup User and System Files - Windows 7 Help Forums

Thanks for all the quick and pertinent information regarding this new OS and files. I'll keep a daily eye on this forum so I don't encounter any major hurdles going over to 10. Though I really like 7, hope the OS10 is worth the change.

I use my desktop icons in W7 all the time. Is there a file in Windows 7 that lists all of the addresses for my desktop icons that I can just copy or do I have to hand write them all down?

paulsalter said:

If you have the Get Windows 10 app in you toolbar, do a check this PC

If any apps/programmes need re installing this will tell you, I have an older Dell and this says a couple of things will need to be re installed

This is exactly the confusion I was asking about. If only certain (few?) programs need to be reinstalled then Win 10 is effectively an upgrade. If all programs need to be reinstalled because they were placed in windows.old then it is a new install with old program files saved for reference. Which is it?

Of course a clean install is completely different. You have to save all your files separately that you will need. Effectively it is a new computer.

Did the check on the WIN10 icon which shows 'no issues' and 'no app transfers'. So, supposedly, I will
be good to go. All of my files and photos will transfer automatically with the WIN10 download. We'll see.
Thanks for all the support.

Edwin said:

Welcome to W10F 'Arizona'! :)

By rights, your files and settings should be saved but you will have to re-install your apps/programs;
however, I would make backups of everything anyway!

Definitely make backups, but no, you won't have to re-install your programs - the upgrade will bring everything along. I've tested Win7 to Win10 upgrades, and they work well. But, definitely back up important data, because you just never know...

CalBear37 said:

This is exactly the confusion I was asking about. If only certain (few?) programs need to be reinstalled then Win 10 is effectively an upgrade. If all programs need to be reinstalled because they were placed in windows.old then it is a new install with old program files saved for reference. Which is it?

Of course a clean install is completely different. You have to save all your files separately that you will need. Effectively it is a new computer.

It is an upgrade, and brings along all installed apps and data. I know, I've done it more than once since the Preview Program started.