Upgrading the Windows Operating System and existing programs, like CoPilot Truck

This is a tech tip because I'm getting this one quite often this week. Many drivers are upgrading their OS because of Windows XP expiring.

If your computer is relatively newer and in decent shape, you can upgrade the OS (i.e. Windows as this post is only addressing that) rather than having to buy a new computer. BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND.

A. You don't have to be a computer "genius" but you do have to be able to have a general understanding of the process and what the install screens are saying. If you are intimidated in general by many computer basics, then don't feel embarrassed to ask a trusted "geek" friend or family member to help you do it instead. Best Buy and other "geek squad" services will do it also. But it takes time and isn't free to do so. However, they are still cheaper than buying a new computer.

B. Unless you are upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 - YOU WILL HAVE TO RE-INSTALL YOUR OTHER PROGRAMS. If you are upgrading from Windows 7, it will keep your personal "files" but not the "programs." If it is Windows Vista or XP, then you will lose ALL files. There are Windows backup programs from Microsoft and many other 3rd parties.

SO YOU WILL WANT TO BACK UP YOUR STUFF FIRST. And you will want the install media, like the CD, DVD, download, etc for any programs that you will want to re-install afterwards handy. You don't have to copy EVERYTHING - but you do want all of your important personal files for sure.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR COPILOT GPS USERS! CoPilot (and many other programs) has a "license" key. You should also make sure that you have that key code BEFORE you upgrade Windows and lose access to it on the existing system. And sometimes you must "DEACTIVATE" the current program so that you will be able to re-install and "activate it" on the new upgraded computer (or on a totally different computer.)

SO IF YOU HAVE COPILOT TRUCK VERSION 8 OR 9, you will need to open it, go to settings in the main menu, and find the button called "Licensing" in CoPilot 8 and below, or "My CoPilot" in the newest version 9. In version 8, you use the button called "deactivate." In version 9 you use the button called "Change Device." In both cases, the easiest way to deactivate it is to have an internet connection and use the method called "internet" or "mobile internet" and NOT the method called "desktop."

It will be painless to re-install CoPilot (or other programs) if you HAVE the install file and any associated product keys, and you deactivated successfully it first.

Finally, if your computer crashes, or you lost the key, you can get record of that and even get it manually deactivated for you from the place that you got it initially - hopefully. If you got it from me, then I have it. But I should not speak for others out there. Call me if needed and I will assist with any software or hardware that you got from us.

Lots of CoPilot users this week not realizing that changing to Windows 8 will be painful in getting it back unless they deactivate it first.

- Don

 

CoPilot 10? Released in 2006? A car and RV version?