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PC World editors make your system tweaks and upgrades easier than ever with visual guides that take you through each process step-by-step.
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Step-By-Step: Master the Windows XP Upgrade Process

Thinking of moving to XP? Here's our guide to the ins and outs of installing Microsoft's latest operating system.

Stan Miastkowski

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B. Should You Upgrade?

1. Is your PC stable?

If your existing Windows installation seems to work fine, your best bet is to stay with what you have. But if you're plagued by random lockups or by the infamous Blue Screen of Death, it's time to seriously consider an upgrade.

2. What applications and hardware are you using?

Older applications, legacy DOS-based programs, and some hardware may not work correctly or at all in Windows XP. (See item 6 of Decision Point A.)

3. What applications are you planning to use?

If you expect to take advantage of the latest applications (Microsoft Office XP, for example) or you want to get into the realms of digital media (photos, music, or video), XP is a wise choice. It has the power, stability, and tools to handle cutting-edge applications.

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