The upgrade path is only from Windows 7 to Windows 10 as far as I am aware. Microsoft extended licenses so that license for Windows 7 are valid for Windows 10 and vice versa. This might unfortunately have been after your story.
Windows XP never had an upgrade path (couldn't even change hardware like the motherboard safely) so it's progress in my mind. Windows 8 was a mess that was dropped shortly after release, I am sorry for all the souls who had to try it.
There is a very good backup tool embedded since Windows 7 that allows to snapshot and restore the system. Highly recommend to use.
Windows XP never had an upgrade path (couldn't even change hardware like the motherboard safely) so it's progress in my mind. Windows 8 was a mess that was dropped shortly after release, I am sorry for all the souls who had to try it.
There is a very good backup tool embedded since Windows 7 that allows to snapshot and restore the system. Highly recommend to use.