Upgrading to Windows® 7 from Windows® Vista® on ThinkPad® and Value Line Notebook Computers - General

This document provides instructions for upgrading your computer operating system to Microsoft® Windows® 7 from the preinstalled Microsoft Windows Vista®. Note that Lenovo® does not warrant that every function and operation described in the Lenovo or Microsoft documentation will work or is free from limitation. The upgrade process might take 30 minutes to 120 minutes approximately, depending on the configuration of your computer and the total number of applications that need to be upgraded or reinstalled. There are specific notebook computer utilities or device drivers that are required for the proper operation of your computer. These utilities or device drivers may vary from one computer model to another. Download and have them available before upgrading: some are required to be installed on the notebook computers on which Windows 7 is to be installed. Go to the Lenovo Support Web site at http://www.lenovo.com/support for those specific utilities and device drivers.

Before upgrading to Windows 7

  1. Before upgrading your computer to Windows 7, be sure to update your system BIOS and device drivers first. Otherwise Windows 7 might not function correctly. Go to the Lenovo Support Web site at http://www.lenovo.com/support to download and install the latest BIOS and device drivers for your system.
  2. If your computer operating system is Windows Vista, update it to Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2).
  3. Upgrade as many applications as possible. This may help you to prevent problems during the upgrade process. For application software limitations, refer to the document Application Software Limitations When Upgrading to Windows 7 on ThinkPad and Value line Notebook Computers.
  4. Important: Uninstall the following applications or device drivers before upgrading. Otherwise you will encounter problems either during or after the upgrade process.

    5. - Diskeeper
    - Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software
    - Lenovo Fingerprint Software
    - McAfee-Antivirus

  5. Make sure you have already backed up your files and data on your computer to an external storage device, such as an external hard disk drive, DVD or CD, USB flash memory, or network storage device.
  6. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet through a wired Ethernet connection during the whole upgrade process. Windows 7 may automatically download device drivers and updates during the upgrade process.

Upgrading to Windows 7

To upgrade your operating system to Windows 7, do the following:

  1. Insert a Windows 7 disc (DVD) into the optical drive, and allow AutoRun to launch the Windows 7 installation wizard, or run the SETUP.EXE file from the DVD if AutoRun does not start.
  2. Click Install Now on the Install Windows screen.
  3. Click Go online to get the latest updates for installation (recommended) in the Get important updates for installation window.
  4. In the License Terms window, carefully read the license terms. These license terms are very important for Windows 7. Contact Microsoft to clarify any questions or issues. If you agree, click I accept the license terms and then click Next to continue.

    Note: You must agree to the license terms to upgrade to Windows 7.

  5. Click Upgrade and the compatibility report will be generated. Save the document so that you can easily refer to it later. This report details the applications that are not compatible with Windows 7, as well as all the device drivers and installed applications that may need updating after the completion of Windows 7 installation.
  6. Be sure to uninstall the applications that are blocked from upgrading. If you get a warning that some system files are still in use, restart the system to clear this warning. The removal process cannot continue until this warning is cleared. Removing the Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software program may cause this issue.
  7. Click Next to continue. Windows 7 will be installed automatically. During the process, the computer will automatically restart for several times.
  8. After several automatic restarts, the Type your Windows product key for window opens. Enter your 25-character Windows 7 product key, which is located on the Windows 7 installation disc holder in a Windows 7 installation disc package. You can keep the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online option selected, otherwise you will be prompted to activate Windows regularly for the next 30 days, and the activation is mandatory. Click Next to continue.
  9. In the Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically window, select Use recommended settings to continue.
  10. Select your time zone and set your current date and time. Then, click Next.
  11. If the Join a wireless network window opens, select a wireless network at your desire. Click Next if you want to use the wireless network, otherwise click Skip to continue.
  12. If you have selected a wireless network or have connected to a wired Ethernet network, you will be prompted to select the network location. Select the appropriate network location to continue.
  13. Windows 7 will be launched.
  14. Download and install a new version of the ThinkVantage® System Update program to install Windows 7 compatible device drivers and utilities.