You can upgrade from an earlier version of Windows, which means you can install the new version of Windows and retain your applications, files, and settings as they were in your previous version of Windows. Upgrade from a previous version of Windows
This topic summarizes the Microsoft® tools you can use to move files and settings between installations in addition to special considerations for performing an upgrade or migration. Files and application settings can be migrated to new hardware running the Windows® operating system, or they can be maintained during an operating system upgrade on the same computer.
