VMware Fusion question: How best to move from XP to Windows 7?

[john-o]

I've been running Fusion for years now, in order to use the Windows version of QuickBooks, nothing more. My virtual machine is running XP. I bought Windows 7 a while back, and am finally ready to make the move. So how best to go about it?

Is there a way to use the OEM "reinstallation" disk I bought to upgrade my XP vm, or should I create a new VM from scratch and migrate QB to that?

As I write this, my gut says to do the latter, but would love advice from anyone who has already been down this path...

Many TiA!
John

[testcase]

I think the easiest way is to create a new Virtual Machine. When you're satisfied with how the new install is running and, you've transferred whatever files need to be transferred, then you can delete the XP VM if you want to (or need the space).

[john-o]

Thanks for the verification of my gut feeling!

[gabester]

If you have the disk space and don't have any snapshots of your VM, make a backup copy of the VM disk image file and then try upgrading that (when you have a spare hour or two at a time to be without a functional VM.)

Although if you don't need the XP data doing a clean install would definitely be recommended.
g=

[mrlynn]

With Fusion (or Parallels) you can have as many VMs as you want. If you create a new one for Win7, you can keep the old XP one around just in case there's a need to go back.

/Mr Lynn

[john-o]

Thanks all. Went with the clean install in a new VM. Definitely the way to go, and I do like having the XP one to go back to if need be. Amazing how much faster the Win 7 one is!