Print
The full upgrade process still hasn’t been finalized, but here is what we do know. Windows XP upgrade editions were pretty painless. The installer would prompt you to insert a copy of a previous OS for disk verification, and that was pretty much it. Assuming you passed this stage, XP would then prompt you to drop the original install disk back in the tray, and it would push ahead with a clean install.
This approach changed with Windows Vista, and not necessarily for the better. If you followed the official Microsoft approach, you were stuck installing Windows XP each time you wanted to format your PC. Once it verified that a qualifying OS was installed, only then could then upgrade to Vista. This hokey double install process was a terrible waste of time, and seemed like a pointless exercise.
A known workaround now exists that will allow you to bypass this step, and it’s easier than you might think. Simply insert your upgrade DVD, boot into the installer, and when prompted to enter your product key, simply refuse to do so. After you click through all the warnings and pick the version you purchased, it would push ahead with the install. Your product key could then be easily entered later on once you were booted into the OS, and you could then activate using the normal process.
It is still unclear which of the two verification methods Microsoft will choose for Windows 7, but they haven’t given us indication that the newer Vista style approach would be changing. If that’s true, you might want to keep the workaround mentioned in the previous question in mind as it will most likely work in Windows 7 as well. It’s also worth noting that in Vista, the clean install work around also saved your Product Key, allowing thousands of users who were unhappy with Vista to downgrade back to XP.
Based on the terms as they are laid out in the EULA, no. Users who buy and install Windows 7 using the upgrade media should expect to lose access to the product key from their previous OS. While technically this has always been true with Windows upgrades, before XP, this worked on the honor system. With the debuted of product activations in XP, it is now a simple matter for Microsoft to enforce. During a Vista upgrade, the installer would collect your old product key, and send off a cancellation request to the activation server. Simply put, don’t bother upgrading a version of Windows that you will ever need to install somewhere else in the future (this includes dual boots). If you are hoping to make a multi-boot system, you will need to buy the full retail version of Windows 7, or find another spare copy to sacrifice to Redmond.
As mentioned in the previous step, many Vista users were able to use a workaround to get past this restriction by using the upgrade CD to perform a clean install without XP present. Legally you still aren’t allowed to use this version of Windows anymore, but if you ever chose to go back to the older OS instead, at least you would have that option. This is just one more reason (among many) to take the clean install approach.
Online retailers will often sell heavily discounted versions of Windows bearing the OEM badge on the outside of the jewel case. What most people don’t realize, are the restrictions that come along with the discount. OEM editions are permanently tied to the first PC it is activated on, often using unique information gathered from the systems motherboard as an anchor.
Maximum PC readers who like to upgrade often will most likely find this restriction painful to live with, and in the long run, many end up finding it to be more of a hassle than it’s worth. Many Pulitzer Prize worthy stories have been spun in an attempt to get Microsoft to manually activate OEM editions on new hardware, but trust me, they’ve heard them all. In most cases if you simply reassure them it’s only installed on one PC, they will grant your request, but you shouldn’t count on that.
The good news here is that I’ve had no problem moving upgrade versions of Vista to new PCs when using Windows XP OEM product keys. Activations went through without a call to Microsoft, and if the same holds true for Windows 7, you might have finally found a use for an abandoned OEM edition.
As long as you have a copy of Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, you can buy any upgrade edition you want. It’s important to note however that on the Vista side, this could impact your ability to perform in-place upgrades. For example, don’t expect to be able to do an in-place upgrade of Windows Vista Business to Home Premium, a clean install may be required. You can also upgrade a lower version such as XP Home to Windows 7 Ultimate. The price difference is covered in the upgrade cost.
Every copy of Windows 7 will have the ability to upgrade electronically to any higher edition. You could start with Home Premium for example, and move up to Professional or Ultimate at any point if you feel the need. The upgrade between versions doesn’t require any reinstall, and in many cases, is instantaneous.
Microsoft has not announced pricing yet on the upgrades, but you should expect to pay a premium on the retail price difference between the edition you purchased, and the one you wish to upgrade to.
Windows Vista has matured into a very capable, and reliable OS that unfortunately, will not go down favorably in the history books. For those of you out there who resisted the urge to switch, but are at least a tiny bit curious, did you know if you plan on upgrading to Windows 7 anyway, you can try out the Vista Edition of your choice for around $10? This price tag assumes you missed out on the Windows 7 promotional pricing, which expires on July 11th. Between now and January 2009, any retail copy of Vista purchased from Microsoft will qualify for a free upgrade.
This is an excellent deal to consider if you are in need of a new copy of Windows, but aren’t comfortable with running a pre-release version of Windows 7. You might actually find it’s not all that bad, and the box will make for a great collector's item!
If it worked in Windows Vista, it will probably work in Windows 7. Many Beta and RC testers of Windows 7 have praised the new OS for its compatibility, but the truth is, if this were being released back in 2007 when Vista debuted, it would have the same problems. With almost 3 years of driver development behind us, Windows 7 will be born into a vastly improved driver ecosystem, and newer hardware will work just fine.
If you’re still not quite sure, feel free to run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It will let you know if it detects any incompatible hardware or software that might be a problem in the future.
I Just bought 3 Copies of Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade and Now Family Packs Get Revealed? I Got Ripped Off!
If you managed to get in on the promotional pricing, three copies of Windows Home Premium would have only run you $147. The Family Pack license that will be offered by Microsoft will likely cost around $189 ($10 less than Apple), and as a result, you still came out ahead.
Comments are closed on this article
jibran_pcc
March 01, 2011 at 11:20pm
I just installed (well upgraded) my dell 1750 from vista basic to 7 ultimate, everything when perfectly except for my RAM is a little off, does 7 use a gig and a half to run. I remember a friend saying if you don't delete the system files from vista it'll run a little slower then it should, but a whole 1.55 gigs constant flow of 'what the fuck' my computers using to run vista seems a little rediculous, any help?
Ankhkare
October 11, 2010 at 9:26am
I love windows 7 because it provides a very good system to update drivers windows and in my opinion everyone can use this for their computer. I had a lot of problems while I was using windows XP and I could never find the decent drivers I needed for my computer.
ariston
October 18, 2011 at 2:52am
I think that would be an example of "does my application work in windows 7" but really the image is not important.
Klima Servisleri İstanbul
kristof2050
July 14, 2010 at 7:10pm
If you want to keep your copy of xp or vista you can use the win 7 upgrade and do the install on that drive or secound partition of your main hdd if you have a secound. Then it's easy to have the best of both worlds. Heck if you have a duel boot xp and vista you can turn it into a tri boot then.
rcmz
August 26, 2010 at 7:21pm
a kind of product key finder namedd Password Genius supports Windows products.
just google it.or click http://password-genius.com
zwozi
June 20, 2010 at 11:35am
Hi,
I recently built a computer and installed windows 7 pro 64-bit oem and activated it. Two days later the hard drive failed so I sent it to newegg for a replacement. Can I install windows 7 pro 64-bit oem again since it is still the same computer and the same exact model of hard drive?
garrettemusic
May 21, 2010 at 12:45pm
Hi!
i was wondering if it is able to install windows vista from insode windows 7?
i have win7 ultimate x64 but i dont like it cuz' i can't play any game i want to play, like codmw1 but before when i had win vista i could. so.. is it possible to ''downgrade'' win 7 to vista?:P
i probalby wont remember to check this site so if you have an answer to my question please mail me =)
garrette_music@hotmail.com
Greets garrettemusic
DroogMoog
May 06, 2010 at 8:05am
Hey People,
I just installed (well upgraded) my dell 1750 from vista basic to 7 ultimate, everything when perfectly except for my RAM is a little off, does 7 use a gig and a half to run. I remember a friend saying if you don't delete the system files from vista it'll run a little slower then it should, but a whole 1.55 gigs constant flow of 'what the fuck' my computers using to run vista seems a little rediculous, any help?
<HOLY SHIT!! ITS MOOG!!>
yasser
March 09, 2010 at 1:33pm
why my laptop takes very long time before its enter to windows 7 x64 ultimate ?
and sometimes black screen shows after writting my password that before enter to windows 7 x64 ultimate , then i can't enter to windows 7
my laptop is : hp pavilion dv5- 1199ee
please helpe me
Fletch
March 08, 2010 at 4:33pm
Quick question. My laptop has vista home premium on it and as a gift I got a full version windows 7 ultimate reatil disk.. Can i use this to upgrade my vista to windows 7 just like an upgrade disc or can this only be used as a clean wipe and install? i want to upgrade but dont want to do a clean install but not sure if I can with a full retail disk?? Do i have to get an upgrade only disk??
carlosrr
February 26, 2010 at 8:18am
Hello
I have an XP pro setup on my desktop with massive amounts of installed software. Is it possible to use the Vista Anytime Upgrade disk to move the OS to Vista, without product activation, and then upgrade Vista as is to Windows 7? I have the AU disc and am able to get W7 Ultimate upgrade via my university and have been unable to find any answers.
Cheers and thanks in advance
Carlos
Dataleak
February 20, 2010 at 12:09pm
Hi guys,
I'm considering upgrading to Windows 7 but I have a few questions which I'm not completely clear about. I'm currently using Windows Vista Premium x64. Which version of Windows 7 will I need to purchase to be able to use the upgrade option. I have tons of installed programs, which will be a pain to individually reinstall. Do I need to purchase the Premium version of Windows 7, or are the Basic and Ultimate also compatible with the upgrade option? Has anyone performed the upgrade option first hand and how were the results? I don't mind if a few programs have incompatibilty issues.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Arshmeet
February 12, 2010 at 8:53am
If I Have Windows 7 Home Premium (Genuine) and Upgrade it to Windows 7 Ultimate (No-Genuine) is it will be Genuine or not?
facinoricci67
February 12, 2010 at 12:41am
What are the difference between 32bits and 64bits computers. I'm just confused on it. Thanks you may share some great answers.
-----------------------
Dataleak
February 20, 2010 at 12:08pm
The only difference seems to be the available memory (RAM) that Windows can access. Here's an indepth description: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions
addwhat
February 03, 2010 at 2:51pm
My laptop has a seperate partion for the OS of 32.2 GB with 10.9 GB of free space. I have seperate partions for Programs & for Data.
I will be using a Windows 7 Ultimate ISO DVD as my Windows 7 source.
Can I do an upgrade so as to keep my programs without the need to reinstall them as with a clean install?
addwhat
February 03, 2010 at 2:51pm
My laptop has a seperate partion for the OS of 32.2 GB with 10.9 GB of free space. I have seperate partions for Programs & for Data.
I will be using a Windows 7 Ultimate ISO DVD as my Windows 7 source.
Can I do an upgrade so as to keep my programs without the need to reinstall them as with a clean install?
cbr4
December 05, 2009 at 9:44am
So I installed Win 7 Ultimate N, which I now discover lacks some features of Vista. Can I install Vista (OEM) over the Win 7 and not risk losing data?
Note: Win 7 was installed on fresh hard drive, not an upgrade from Vista.
Yeah, I figure some Win 7 dependent apps will be inoperable. But in my case I would be able to restore many apps that I used in Vista but which are incompatible with Win 7 (Sony digital audio editor, Flip Share video manager, to name a few).
Thanks....
cbr4
December 05, 2009 at 9:43am
So I installed Win 7 Ultimate N, which I now discover lacks some features of Vista. Can I install Vista (OEM) over the Win 7 and not risk losing data?
Note: Win 7 was installed on fresh hard drive, not an upgrade from Vista.
Yeah, I figure some Win 7 dependent apps will be inoperable. But in my case I would be able to restore many apps that I used in Vista but which are incompatible with Win 7 (Sony digital audio editor, Flip Share video manager, to name a few).
Thanks....
robesaw
November 12, 2009 at 9:26pm
OK, so my second BURNING question:
I have nothing but continual problems with itunes with respect to missing files, duplicates, etc. I am worried that when I backup itunes and do a fresh install when upgrading from Vista to 7, I won't be able to safely restore my itunes data w/o problems.
Any idea how this has been successfully done? I wouldn't expect MS to help out too much in this respect.
Thanks in advance!!
allfaltus
November 11, 2009 at 1:15am
I bought this laptop online in November that came with Windows XP Pro installed which is downgraded from Windows 7 professional. But the machine came with no media either for Xp or Windows7.
I wish to use windows 7 Pro on the machine. But where can I get the media from? How much does it cost in US?
Thanks,
nekollx
November 11, 2009 at 10:03am
http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Windows-7/category/102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2060350368%201179212716&name=Professional
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
mdmcfadyen
October 31, 2009 at 10:11am
I did a clean install of Windows 7 Pro on my Dell T5400 dual Xeon processor workstation and had to actually remove 1 of the 2 processors to get windows 7 to install. Once the OS was up and running I tried putting the 2nd processor back in and Windows 7 still came up with an error of "multiple processors not supported".
After spending some time on the Microsoft forums I found out that it is one of the many bugs they are working on. So aside from having to live with only 1 processor the windows 7 experience has been good, although it is still a microsoft OS.
ChucklesG
October 28, 2009 at 5:47pm
So my retail version of Windows 7 Professional Upgrade DVD arrived today - I insert it in my computer to upgrade from Vista 32bit Home Premium - can't upgrade from Premium to Win 7 Professional, can if I had bought Win 7 Ultimate... What a pain. Don't want to do a clean install that's why I bought Win 7 Professional 'UPGRADE'.
darkgamerdave
October 28, 2009 at 5:07am
I have a 32 bit windows vista home premium OS and wish to upgrade to windows 7 home premium or ultimate 32 bit, is it possible to do the ultimateupgrade?, if not the home premium?
thanks in advance.
JuliusKY
October 25, 2009 at 11:18pm
Just use the upgrade like you would to install right over the old system, you can boot from the disk and select custom and copy right over the old system and have a fresh clean install which is the best, or you can insert the disk after the system is running and do an upgrade.
Now if you want to do the upgrade on a new or clean HD the best way is to install W7 skip the product key you have 30 days for that. After you get to the windows screen just reboot leaving the disk in and do a custom install again this time it will recognize that an operating system is on the drive, let it continue up to the product key enter product key this time put the key in and continue and every thing will be like a new system.
The reason you don't enter the product key on the first install is it doesn't recognise a prevous system and when you enter the product key it gives you a faild warning. you can try entering the key on the first try you might get lucky, if not you can clear the key and continue the first istall to the windows screen then restart with the disk in the drive,the second time it will take the key. good luck. it worked for me.
JuliusKY
tuts69
October 24, 2009 at 4:31am
tuts
hi i just wanna ask question, i have a vista ultimate 64 bits intalled on my system, now i recieved my pre order win 7 pro upgrade, now my question can installed this win 7 pro upgrade over vista ultimate? thanks
DarkHelmet
October 20, 2009 at 12:52pm
"How Does An Upgrade Edition “Clean Install” Differ From Retail Copies of Windows 7?"
Mentioned on Page 2 of the above article.
I'm holding out on purchasing my Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack until we finally get a definitive answer on how this process will work.
Windows 7 ships the day after tomorrow, so if anyone figures this out, please post it! Thanks. :)
-Helmet
Mpire
October 21, 2009 at 5:20am
Actually...Following the trend of MS upgrades from Win95 and on... NO. You do not need to install Vista, XP, Win 2000 etc before doing a clean install of Win 7. All it will require you to do is verify you have a previous version of a OS.
Example: You have a clean hard drive and were previously running Win"x" If you boot to the Win 7 upgrade DVD, it will start the process, then prompt you to insert your previous version Windows disc. Once it spins up and verifies it, it will simply ask you to pop out the old disk, and re-insert your Win 7 upgrade disc and continue installing the actual full version.
So in actuallity its a full version on the upgrade, it just makes sure you already had a copy of windows before. And history will prove that upgrading from one OS to another NEVER works flawlessly. I will always do a clean and fresh install.
DarkHelmet
October 21, 2009 at 5:32am
Yeah, I get all that, but since nobody has actually gone through the process with Windows 7 Upgrade media yet (because it isn't released yet), notbody *really* knows how the experience will go. If you read the above article, the XP to Vista upgrade experience did not work the way you are describing it, and was quite a pain in the ass until a workaround was found.
I prefer not to assume.
-Helmet
DarkHelmet
October 27, 2009 at 5:58pm
MaxPC answered the question, as I was sure they would. It's a pretty piss poor solution, but that's Microsoft's fault, not MaxPC...
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_use_your_windows_7_upgrade_disk_fresh_pc?page=0%2C1
-Helmet
MajorEvent
December 14, 2009 at 9:10am
I installed two MS Win7 Home Premium student UPGRADE versions doing a clean install this weekend. At the point where it asks for the key during the install, don't enter the key, just click next and continue. With the student version, I didn't have to say which version I had (only Home Premium in the downloaded iso, I expect) but, if it asks, select the version you have the key for (home premium, professional, or ultimate). You have 30 days to enter a valid key and activate doing the install this way AND you skip the upgrade check (so it behaves like a regular clean install). Continue with the install as usual.
When you are ready to enter the upgrade key (anytime up to 30 days later and an internet connection is required), open the system applet (from the control panel or right click Computer on the start menu and select properties). At the bottom it says Windows activation and there is a clickable link to enter a new product key. Click the link and enter your upgrade key. Once accepted the key will be validated online and your version of Windows 7 will be activated. DONE
That's all there is to it..
Galraedia
October 12, 2009 at 5:44pm
I'm seriously considering canceling my subscription with Max PC if they don't shut the hell up about Winblows 7. I'm sick of hearing about it over and over again. There are a lot of better operating systems out there, so why doesn't Max PC review them instead of mentioning Winblows 7 in every freaking edition? I feel like I'm reading a catalog instead of a magazine.
RtDK
November 28, 2009 at 3:39pm
Back to PCWorld with you. You can bash Windows all you want with your fellow Mac fanboys there. As for PC-users, the vast majority of us actually know how to use Microsoft's OS and don't have issues with it. There are also lots of people out there who are just now diving into 7 though, and those people probably have a lot of questions--so if you ask me, MaxPC is doing the responsible thing here, by catering to the masses who don't necessarily know what they're doing.
So, do us all a favor--cancel your subscription, go away, and leave us in peace, or don't. But you're in the wrong place if you don't want help with Windows pal. Other forums await you, so don't let the door hit you on the way out.
ultrapuggy@gmail.com
October 27, 2009 at 7:56am
So, I just made this account because I noticed this comment. I had this urge to smack you in the face through the internet.
- You made your account on October 12, 2009...the same day as this comment. You then proceed to threaten to cancel said account... (So convincing, grow up)
- You post only 3 comments, all of which are on Windows 7 articles and are direct attacks to Windows 7 without any proof whatsoever.
- Points 1 and 2 are more than enough. Please cancel your 'subscription'.
knelson276
November 07, 2009 at 10:11am
Do you always feel the need to resort to vilence over something you don't agree with.
- He could have been referring to his magazine subscription. I’ve been reading maxpc for a very long time, since before they changed their name, it was originally called cdrom today and then boot. But only occasionally do I go to their web site or post.
- I don’t quite know it I would call that an attack on win 7. I too have gotten the feeling that I was reading articles prepared by Microsoft themselves. There’s a lack of a sense of objectivity, too many minor window dressing items being touted as reasons for upgrading. Many of these items seem far to mediocre to be worthy of praise from Maximum PC.
- While everyone is entitled to their opinion, its not always necessary to express it when its sole purpose is to bash on someone you don’t agree with, its neither productive or helpful.
nekollx
October 27, 2009 at 9:31am
"The power of the Pimp Hand is strong with this one."
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
DarkHelmet
October 22, 2009 at 1:37pm
It's called Maximum "PC", you tool. And Windows runs on the majority of the world's PCs, which would also include the majority of Maximum PC readers, so why shouldn't they extensively cover it? If you they doing article after article about the latest Apple OS, I'd see your argument.
-Helmet
nekollx
October 13, 2009 at 9:54am
you mean articles like...
http://www.maximumpc.com/linux
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_install_linux_risk_free_with_no_formatting_or_repartitioning_required
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
AleceHelix
October 06, 2009 at 7:26pm
It seems to me that MS didn't take your advice about making a fewer amount of OSes after all. Pity.
brunost
September 28, 2009 at 5:40am
Hello.
If I buy a computer with Windows 7 Professional with the option to downgrade to Windows XP Professional 32-bit, when I decide to migrate my system to Windows 7, will I be able to install the 64-bit version? It is OEM.
Thanks!
MajorEvent
December 14, 2009 at 9:32am
In my experience, when you "downgrade" when purchasing from an OEM vendor, it means you forego the newer version altogether. Typically you receive a recovery disk or process and not an actual Windows disk that allows you to return the machine to the condition it was in when you made the purchase. This would mean you don't get Win 7 Pro at all. Be sure you understand exactly what the vendor will provide if you downgrade.
The OEM version of Windows is limited to install on ONE pc. As long as you reinstall to the same PC, you can use the same OEM version over. Typically, it's tied to the mainboard in your PC but too many changes to the hardware may hit the threshold also. Some have had luck with calling MS and asking for leeway.
You will need to do a clean install to go from 32 bit to 64 bit. Short answer, yes it's possible but will require some advanced prep on your part to protect you documents and settings (you can use the files and settings transfer wizard if you have a 2nd hard drive with decent free capacity).
jcseely
September 24, 2009 at 9:31am
About how the upgrade validation from XP process will work? I can't seem to find an answer on the interwebs.
Will we simply need to insert our XP CD or enter our product license key? Or will they force us to reinstall XP every single time we want to do a clean install of 7?
Any official news on that?
efougner
August 28, 2009 at 8:20pm
Buyer beware. Sure, you can get vista for $109 with a free upgrade to Windows7....BUT IS JUST AN UPGRADE!. Also, just like the Vista OS, it is OEM. This means both the VISTA 0S and Windows 7 OS can be installed on only one computer PERIOD! Further more, every time you need to re-install the OS, you will have to install vista first and THEN upgrade to Windows 7. It is much better to buy the full retail version...if you can afford it. This way, the OS does not die with the computer and gives you a much shorter install time.
Siggy28681
August 27, 2009 at 10:35pm
I noticed that you can get vista for 109.99 on new egg with free w7 upgrade. Im sure the full version will be more than that. So is it better to spend the extra money on the full version or just buy vista with the upgrade? Yes this is going on a newly build cpu. thanks for your help.
MajorEvent
December 14, 2009 at 9:39am
I think I answered this question here:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/windows_7_upgrade_guide_all_your_questions_answered#comment-52771
fn_tool
August 20, 2009 at 11:59am
Here's my scenario: This fall, I'll be upgrading my single current PC from XP to W7 using my $50 Upgrade as soon as it ships. Early next year, I'll be replacing MB, CPU, RAM & Video Card and (hopefully) I'll want to stay at W7. No Hard Drive upgrade with this round of new hardware.
I think that when I upgrade my hardware, I'll propably want to re-install W7, and I think I might have to start out from my Original XP-Pro CD, then re-do the Upgrade process. Since you mentioned the Inactivation of my current valid XP Product Code, I'm thinking I might not be able to install XP again as part of my hardware upgrade.
Then you mentioned the "Insert the XP CD", so now I'm not entirely clear. Sorry.
WIll I be able to first to my upgrade/clena install of W7, then several months later replace major components? ANy ideas on what my process might be?
Keep up hte excellent work!
