I've been running Windows 7 Beta and RC (Release Candidate) versions for several months on a test computer.  Lots of reasons to like Windows 7 that we've written about separately.

Microsoft recently released the RTM (Release to Manufacturing) version of Windows 7.  The RTM version is shipped to PC manufacturers who are lining up to support Windows 7 when the public gets Windows 7 on October 22.

With the RTM version in hand (which developers can get earlier) I set out to upgrade one of my home computers (running Windows Vista) to Windows 7.  This same computer went through the Windows XP to Windows Vista upgrade process several years ago.

The punchline - upgrading this computer from Windows Vista to Windows 7 was significantly less painful than upgrading the same computer from Windows XP to Windows Vista.  The Windows XP to Vista path was very painful - numerous device driver issues that took weeks to fully repair.  No devices that were no longer supported.  That isn't really a surprise given that Microsoft got the message - loud and clear - that the upgrade needed to be easier, and that Windows 7 is a less significant change under the hood as compared to Windows Vista.

Before getting started with the Windows 7 upgrade I ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor which is available in beta form on Microsoft's website.  This free application checks that your computer can be upgraded at all - and if so, are there any compatibility issues.  In my case nothing was flagged as needing attention.

The next step was running the Windows 7 installer off a DVD-ROM after booting into Windows Vista. This is a change - the ability to do the upgrade "in-place" (rather than booting off the DVD-ROM directly).  Here are the steps I was guided through to get Windows 7 up and running:

1. The first run of the Windows 7 installer notified me of a necessary Windows Update.  I had to cancel out of the installer, run Windows Update and then reboot.
2. The second run of the Windows 7 installer went further - but this time notified me that I'd experience compatibility issues with my ATI / Catalyst video software.  The recommended step was to uninstall that software (which required another reboot)
3. The third time I ran the Windows 7 installer I had to stop - again - for a reboot (not clear why the third reboot was necessary).
4. Finally on the fourth try the Windows 7 installer ran to completion (took a while, but didn't require any further intervention).

I'm now up and running on Windows 7 - at least at home - and havent' experienced any problems.

The Windows 7 update process was much smoother than the Windows XP -> Vista process, but still isn't perfect.  Steps 1-3 probably could have been automatic or at least grouped together to avoid three reboots and running the installer four times.  Perhaps the sequel to Windows 7 (which is inevitable) will make the upgrade process truly seamless.