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Computer Help and Support

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts) Sat Nov 30, 2013, 03:05 PM Nov 2013

0

Excuse a naive question from a Mac user

I have a netbook running Windows XP, and I'm wondering if it is possible to upgrade it directly to Windows 8 or do I need to go through the intermediate stage of upgrading to Windows 7 first.

Or will an HP netbook have too little memory and/or power to handle Windows 8?

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

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Excuse a naive question from a Mac user (Original Post) Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2013 OP

I'm assuming you have a CD/DVD drive, correct ? steve2470 Nov 2013 #1

No, this is a netbook Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2013 #2

how much extra hard drive space do you have ? steve2470 Nov 2013 #3

I use it so seldom that I don't even remember Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2013 #4

ok I would find out, then go to the main Microsoft site, to their store and find out the size of.... steve2470 Nov 2013 #5

Why? If it works, why mess with it. hobbit709 Nov 2013 #6

How old is the machine? TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #7

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

1. I'm assuming you have a CD/DVD drive, correct ?

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Original post)

Sat Nov 30, 2013, 03:25 PM

Nov 2013

If so, yes, you can upgrade directly to Win8. Of course, save all your important files first.

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)

2. No, this is a netbook

Reply to steve2470 (Reply #1)

Sat Nov 30, 2013, 03:43 PM

Nov 2013

Downloads only.

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

3. how much extra hard drive space do you have ?

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 30, 2013, 03:55 PM

Nov 2013

The Win8 download directly from Microsoft is several gigabytes.

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)

4. I use it so seldom that I don't even remember

Reply to steve2470 (Reply #3)

Sat Nov 30, 2013, 04:16 PM

Nov 2013

steve2470

(37,457 posts)

5. ok I would find out, then go to the main Microsoft site, to their store and find out the size of....

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Reply #4)

Sat Nov 30, 2013, 04:33 PM

Nov 2013

the Win8 download, which is probably 20 Gb or more.

Again, be sure to save your important files on a thumb drive, etc.

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)

6. Why? If it works, why mess with it.

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Original post)

Sat Nov 30, 2013, 05:34 PM

Nov 2013

and the hardware requirements may not meet specification.

TroglodyteScholar

(5,477 posts)

7. How old is the machine?

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 01:29 PM

Dec 2013

I wouldn't bother trying to put 8 on anything from before 2010 or so.

But I'm pretty sure Microsoft's website has the answer to your question..

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