i have Windows ME and i have a lot of files and stuff i really don't want to be erased..i was just wanting to know if i could upgrade to XP without my stuff being deleted
2006-08-04 06:28:40 · 8 answers · asked by mako_deahan 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
It will leave most of your files alone, but anything in the windows folder or a shared folder, and most especially your My Documents folder (and any subfolders) have to be backed up.
Windows XP can overwrite these folders, erasing all data that was in there. Sometimes the documents in My Documents and the subfolders don't migrate. Save yourself the heartache and just back them up.
2006-08-04 06:52:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main advantage of an upgrade is that it allows you you to keep your files and setting, therefore, you shouldn't lose your files if you do an upgrade. Having said that you might have some incompatibilty problems with some hardware devices or drivers. It is imperative that you back up your data before you make any changes and make sure that all your hardware and software are compatible with windows xp. You can do this by going to the windows catalog website or using the utility on the win xp disk. Make sure all your drivers are updated, the most common cause of problems is an incompatible or corrupted driver.
I hope it works out for ya.
2006-08-04 06:53:41 · answer #2 · answered by monotol 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said they "should" be OK.
BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
You should have backups just in case.
I have seen thousands of people over the years that have lost everything because they didn't have backups.
ANYTHING can happen while your loading a new program, and especially a major upgrade like this.
While upgrading this may be the one time in 10 years the power blinks, or your CD drive has a piece of dust in the wrong space.
Sorry about carrying on but I have seen too many people CRY when I tell them I have to send there Hard drive to a recovery service and they charge in the $1,000.00 and even then sometimes cant get the data back.
It's ALWAYS safer to have backups.
Murphys Law: If the data is backed up you will have no problems with the computer upgrade. / No backups and there will be problems upgrading.
2006-08-04 06:47:58 · answer #3 · answered by space_man_stitch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Upgrading to windows xp from windows ME is not going to erase any thing from the computer, it's just gona update the files in windows folder. But sometimes you might loose your data in the My Document folder, so just copy it to your C-drive or back it up before upgrading to windows XP.
insert your windows xp cd from windows me desktop and follow the on-screen wizard and select update when it asks you what you want to do.
********* For safe side keep a back up of your data *************
2006-08-04 06:49:26 · answer #4 · answered by Zeni 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on what version of XP you have.
if you have the full version, you should do a clean install. your system will run much better than upgrading from ME. Just backup your data on CD or external HDs.
if you just have the upgrade version, you can only upgrade.
but a clean install is better for your machine.
2006-08-04 06:32:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you upgrade it will ask if you want to keep your files or do a fresh install in which case everything will go
2006-08-04 06:34:05 · answer #6 · answered by abitofchange23 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
upgrade shouldn't delete stuff but you should always back up your files, you never know when you'll get virus and have to reformat your machine
2006-08-04 06:38:40 · answer #7 · answered by jean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah it should only rewrite you're window's files and nothing else.
2006-08-04 06:32:24 · answer #8 · answered by Mikey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋