Can I use Frontpage on Windows 7 without re-installing everything?

Q  Currently, my PC runs Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 (SP2). I have also installed Microsoft Frontpage to do web design and editing.

I am considering upgrading the computer to Windows 7. Will I still be able to run Frontpage in Windows 7? If so, would I have to re-install Frontpage after upgrading to Windows 7?

Finally, if it isn't possible to run Frontpage in Windows 7, is there an equivalent program that's free to download and use?
Brian McErlain

A  The answer to your first question is maybe – it all depends on the version of Frontpage you have and the edition of Windows 7 that you're intending to buy and install.

You didn't tell us either, so the easiest thing for us to do is to refer you to Microsoft's Windows 7 Compatibility Checker website: type Frontpage into the search bar to see a list of what versions are compatible with which editions of Windows 7.

As for your second question, the answer is yes – you will have to re-install Frontpage. In fact, the bad news is that you'll have to re-install everything, not to mention re-apply any personal tweaks and settings, because it is not possible to perform an ‘in-place' upgrade of Windows XP to 7 (for reasons known best to Microsoft, that luxury was reserved for Vista users).

In other words, if you're upgrading a Windows XP computer to Windows 7, you have to start from scratch.

Finally, there are numerous free web-design tools and the one that's right for you really depends on your needs.

For blogging, Wordpress is extremely popular. For a more traditional web page, where the content doesn't need to change often, try free download Serif Webplus Starter Edition.

Update
Tony Cartright contacted us after reading the question and answer above with an alternative:

Q  Computeractive's recent answer to Brian McErlain said that it is not possible to do an ‘in place’ upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. However, commercial software exists that can do the job. Laplink PCmover, for example, includes a feature called Upgrade Assistant that does exactly what you say is not possible.

Obviously a copy of Windows 7 is required. I upgraded a Windows XP netbook to Windows 7 Home Premium using PCmover, with an Upgrade version of Windows 7. The only problem I had was the need to find a Windows 7 driver to replace an XP one.
Tony Cartwright

A  We initially worried that use of such a tool might violate Microsoft’s licensing terms for Windows 7 but, having scrutinised the document, we can’t see anything that disallows this method.

We’re happy to pass on the suggestion, with the obvious caveat of backing up important files and folders if you do decide to proceed.

We must also point out that the same document explicitly states that any problems 'caused by your acts' are excluded from the warranty, so don’t expect Microsoft to help if the errors occur during or after enacting an in-place upgrade in this way.