I can't see to find anywhere that gives me a definitive answer. I thought it was that it allowed you to turn your old OS into the new one, keeping your programs and such intact. However MS make it sound like you can also install from scratch. So what is the difference between that and the full version?
Upgrade, as in, Home edition -> Professional?
Or do you mean Windows XP -> Vista ?
Or do you mean Windows XP -> Vista ?
I think you get it cheaper if you have a valid license key for an older version of windows.
Fuck Israel
Upgrade as in: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/studentoffer/
So I need another key to use it? Surely they should mention that somewhere if it's the case?
So I need another key to use it? Surely they should mention that somewhere if it's the case?
It's an upgrade, which means you need a previous version. Simple enough. Yes it is the full OS and you can do a clean install (coming from xp i believe you have to) or the keep your stuff and just upgrade it. I believe now (not 100% on this) you have to have an activated version of windows to do the upgrade install.ghettoperson wrote:
Upgrade as in: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/studentoffer/
So I need another key to use it? Surely they should mention that somewhere if it's the case?
When you say I need a previous version, I just need the install key from one, rather than have one installed? Sorry, I'm really not quite getting it.
you need to have vista or something installed. and the upgrade makes it a windows 7 with all your programs installed etc. if im correctghettoperson wrote:
When you say I need a previous version, I just need the install key from one, rather than have one installed? Sorry, I'm really not quite getting it.
If that's so then that is stupid. So every time you wan't to reinstall Win7 you need to install Vista first and then upgrade? That doubles the time you need to install an OS.menzo wrote:
you need to have vista or something installed. and the upgrade makes it a windows 7 with all your programs installed etc. if im correctghettoperson wrote:
When you say I need a previous version, I just need the install key from one, rather than have one installed? Sorry, I'm really not quite getting it.
Yeah it's stupid but you don't have to do it, pony up the money for a non upgrade version if you don't like it. I would guess most people who buy upgrade versions don't usually reinstall too often..Sup wrote:
If that's so then that is stupid. So every time you wan't to reinstall Win7 you need to install Vista first and then upgrade? That doubles the time you need to install an OS.menzo wrote:
you need to have vista or something installed. and the upgrade makes it a windows 7 with all your programs installed etc. if im correctghettoperson wrote:
When you say I need a previous version, I just need the install key from one, rather than have one installed? Sorry, I'm really not quite getting it.
Ok, after some tweaking of search terms I managed to come to this conclusion, summed up nicely here:
Another post I read says that it detects what you have previously installed, and then allows you to wipe the HDD or upgrade it. This will also work with the Win7RC, which the poster says is according to Microsoft.
EDIT: In this case it's talking about Vista, however I imagine the same conditions apply.The upgrade version requires a previous copy of Windows which can be upgraded. If you want to install it on a clean machine, you can just install Vista but it will ask you for the disk from the previous version. In other words, you don't have to install XP to upgrade to Vista, just have the disk ready for when it asks.
Another post I read says that it detects what you have previously installed, and then allows you to wipe the HDD or upgrade it. This will also work with the Win7RC, which the poster says is according to Microsoft.
Last edited by ghettoperson (2009-10-01 15:02:33)
An upgrade can be installed from nothing.
Step 1: Boot from DVD, "Custom" install the correct Windows version without CD Key.
Step 2: Start Windows install from within Windows, "Upgrade" install is now available, CD Key is now accepted. Will activate happily.
Step 1: Boot from DVD, "Custom" install the correct Windows version without CD Key.
Step 2: Start Windows install from within Windows, "Upgrade" install is now available, CD Key is now accepted. Will activate happily.
My state was founded by Batman. Your opinion is invalid.
Quote from MS representative on forums:
Now, my question is, I can't do a 32-bit to 64-bit upgrade, can I? I have Vista 32-bit Home Premium, but I just purchased W7 Pro 64-bit, will it work? I have Windows 7 RC 64 bit just incase, but I wanted to know...
What a pain in the ass.Yes, you can use the Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional upgrades to do clean installs. Simply boot to the Windows Vista Home Premium desktop, insert the Windows 7 upgrade DVD, click Install Now. When the setup menu appears, select Custom (advanced) to initiate a clean install procedure.
In order to install the upgrade version of Windows 7, you must have a qualifying Windows operating system installed and activated. You cannot install an upgrade version of Windows 7 on a blank hard drive. The installation procedure does not ask you to insert a Windows disc in the drive for verification, the actual qualifying operating system must be installed.
If you do not have a qualifying Windows operating system installed with a genuine license activated, then you cannot use the upgrade version of Windows 7 - you would need a "full version" Windows 7 license.
In summary:
1. A qualifying Windows operating system must be installed.
2. The qualifying Windows operating system must have a genuine license (product key) and it must be activated.
Now, my question is, I can't do a 32-bit to 64-bit upgrade, can I? I have Vista 32-bit Home Premium, but I just purchased W7 Pro 64-bit, will it work? I have Windows 7 RC 64 bit just incase, but I wanted to know...
Fucksakes.
EDIT: I read somewhere that it'll work with the 7 RC?
EDIT: I read somewhere that it'll work with the 7 RC?
Last edited by ghettoperson (2009-10-12 08:09:34)
Oh feck. Problem. Major problem. RC1 doesn't allow W7 to be installed over it, and 32-bit wont allow 64-bit to be installed over it. Aw crap. Problem.
Just sent an email to the site I pre ordered it off, after their site claims they do no returns.
Hi,
Why is it your site says you offer no returns policy?
After ordering, I have now read from a Microsoft rep that you need to install a previous Microsoft OS in order to install the upgrade (something I might add was impossible to find on any official websites). Despite owning both Vista Home Premium and XP Professional, there's no way I'm going through the hassle of installing two OS's every time I want to reinstall. So because of this I'd like to cancel my pre-order, and I will simply have to purchase the full version when it's released.
Regards, Matt
You could always get yourself an imaging program and make an image of the system after you get the OS and W7 upgrade installed. This would be even faster than if you only needed to install a single OS anyway. If anything happens, pop in the image disk and boot to it, go to the restore part of the program and select your image. Total time to restore will be 30 minutes or less; depending on how many programs you include in the image.
Yeah but keep in mind that Windows upgrades pretty much always shit the bed soon after and need to reinstall.Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
You could always get yourself an imaging program and make an image of the system after you get the OS and W7 upgrade installed. This would be even faster than if you only needed to install a single OS anyway. If anything happens, pop in the image disk and boot to it, go to the restore part of the program and select your image. Total time to restore will be 30 minutes or less; depending on how many programs you include in the image.
So upgrade versions suck.
Just torrent it like everybody else.