Official Windows 7 Upgrade Chart
PrintLooking to make life easier for everyone planning on upgrading to Windows 7, Microsoft this week published a chart detailing which OSes are eligible for an "In-Place Upgrade," and which ones require a "Custom Install."
The chart includes every OS from XP up to Windows Vista Ultimate, and even tosses in Windows Vista Starter, only found in developing nations. It appears daunting at first, but simply find the OS you're upgrading from in 32-bit or 64-bit form and match it to the version of Windows 7 you're planning to install. Owners of 32-bit Vista Home Premium, for example, can perform an In-Place Upgrade to 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate. This means the settings, files, and programs will be preserved. For all other versions, including 64-bit, upgrading from 32-bit Vista Home Premium requires a Custom Install, otherwise known as a clean install.
All XP users will have to perform a clean install no matter which version of Windows 7 is selected.
Image Credit: Microsoft via Mossblog
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linkmaster6
August 08, 2009 at 3:49am
Might just be me but the additional notes look a little misleading. To upgrade from Windows XP you just do a custom install, but to go from something earlier than XP you need to buy the full version?
Thought I had been reading you can't use and upgrade disc to go up from XP, thought you had to have Vista
Khaled
August 08, 2009 at 2:36am
wow, simple!
Unlike Mac OS x where it asks me to either upgrade or archive and install ... so frustrating :)
horzo
August 07, 2009 at 12:25pm
Doesn't seem all that complicated to me...but is best ignored in any case. Just take out all the green and print "CUSTOM INSTALL IN ALL CASES!"
Done.
Keatah
August 07, 2009 at 11:38am
why we need computer geeks and advanced techs these days. All the conditions that need to be 'in-place' for an upgrade to take place? No simplification anywhere!
Morichalion
August 07, 2009 at 8:19am
Upon looking at this chart, the thing I thought of first was this:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/after-brightly-colored-chart-failed-to-win-waxman-markey-fight-gop-brings-it-to-the-battle-over-heal.php
Not trying to draw any parralells, other than the simple fact that they are both kinda complex.
jkpwnster
August 07, 2009 at 7:41am
If you still have XP, and a machine with loads of RAM, now is the time to upgrade to 64-bit. I'm upgrading my Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.
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