"Upgrade" from Vista 32 bit to 7 64 bit?

gordonware said:

So I have my two 64 bit Win 7 RC latest version machines. One was formerly Vista Ultimate, one Vista Business.

My best bet if a version such as Win 7 Pro would work for me would be to buy the $99 Win 7 Pro upgrade promotion while it is available and go through the "clean install' process with an upgrade disc" documented here and via other links in this thread? Will that work for me?

Yes, this should work. We won't know for certain certain until RTM comes out, but various people in the know say it will.

gordonware said:

Also keep in mind even if I wanted to go all the way back to Vista, it is my understanding I could not Win 7 Pro to upgrade my one Ultimate machine.

That's correct-ish. If you want to do an in-place upgrade, then no, you can't upgrade vista ultimate with 7 pro. However, you should be able to use the installed copy of vista ultimate to allow you to format and install clean (either over the top, or alongside) using the upgrade key and a dvd boot of windows 7 pro upgrade.

gordonware said:

The ugrade promotion price is so nice, but is there any risk for me in it not working?

Nothing is 100% certain until RTM comes out and we can try it for ourselves, but all the evidence indicates that 7 upgrades will work the same as vista in this regard, so should be a safe enough bet.

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can help. I have a similar issue. My PC has a Pentium D 820 Processor. I read in some places that i should purchase Windows 7 64 bit and in others 32 bit. Can anyone help?? (I will be doing a clean install)

Thank you

Thank you very much for youre help! I have 4gb memory, and i think all my hardware should be ok. I will go for 64 bit then. Thank you again

Sorry, one last question. I will be getting an upgrade disk. I currently have a 32 bit version of XP installed. Can i do the "custom installation" for a clean install to a 64bit. Or will i have to install the 32 bit Windows 7?

MacGyvr said:

I think one of the biggest things being misunderstood is how the term upgrade is used in this situation. It doesn't mean that you are taking a computer with an older operating system and converting it to Windows 7. An upgrade version of Windows 7 means that you are able to prove that you own a copy of an older version of Windows (that is in the proper upgrade path of course). It does not have to be currently installed on a computer.

Sorry but the manual furnished with the UPGRADE DISK does not say I have to own a older version of Windows. It simply says:
Installing Windows
If your computer has NO OS installed.
1. Turn on your computer, Insert the Windows Installation disc into your DVD drive.
2. Restart your computer while the installation disc is inserted in the DVD drive.

No where does it say I have to own a previous Edition of Windows.
It also states when ask DO NOT INSERT THE KEY.
It states that i will have 30 days within which I can while booted into Windows, insert the DVD again, and when ask click UPDATE and when ask insert the UPGRADE KEY.

Not once did the install ask me to insert any disc or prove that I have owned a previous version of Windows.

other reference:
http://community.winsupersite.com/bl...-upgrades.aspx

Snuffy said:

MacGyvr said:

I think one of the biggest things being misunderstood is how the term upgrade is used in this situation. It doesn't mean that you are taking a computer with an older operating system and converting it to Windows 7. An upgrade version of Windows 7 means that you are able to prove that you own a copy of an older version of Windows (that is in the proper upgrade path of course). It does not have to be currently installed on a computer.

Sorry but the manual furnished with the UPGRADE DISK does not say I have to own a older version of Windows. It simply says:
Installing Windows
If your computer has NO OS installed.
1. Turn on your computer, Insert the Windows Installation disc into your DVD drive.
2. Restart your computer while the installation disc is inserted in the DVD drive.

No where does it say I have to own a previous Edition of Windows.
It also states when ask DO NOT INSERT THE KEY.
It states that i will have 30 days within which I can while booted into Windows, insert the DVD again, and when ask click UPDATE and when ask insert the UPGRADE KEY.

Not once did the install ask me to insert any disc or prove that I have owned a previous version of Windows.

other reference:
http://community.winsupersite.com/bl...-upgrades.aspx

From the Microsoft Store:

Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade - Buy and download from Microsoft Store

"If you have Windows Vista, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions."

"If you have Windows XP, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions."

Yes, a requirement of purchasing the upgrade version is that you MUST own a copy of Vista or XP. I'm sure it is also in the EULA. Will look for it shortly.

Snuffy said:

MacGyvr said:

I think one of the biggest things being misunderstood is how the term upgrade is used in this situation. It doesn't mean that you are taking a computer with an older operating system and converting it to Windows 7. An upgrade version of Windows 7 means that you are able to prove that you own a copy of an older version of Windows (that is in the proper upgrade path of course). It does not have to be currently installed on a computer.

Sorry but the manual furnished with the UPGRADE DISK does not say I have to own a older version of Windows. It simply says:
Installing Windows
If your computer has NO OS installed.
1. Turn on your computer, Insert the Windows Installation disc into your DVD drive.
2. Restart your computer while the installation disc is inserted in the DVD drive.

No where does it say I have to own a previous Edition of Windows.
It also states when ask DO NOT INSERT THE KEY.
It states that i will have 30 days within which I can while booted into Windows, insert the DVD again, and when ask click UPDATE and when ask insert the UPGRADE KEY.

Not once did the install ask me to insert any disc or prove that I have owned a previous version of Windows.

other reference:
http://community.winsupersite.com/bl...-upgrades.aspx

From page 9 of the Windows 7 EULA:

"15. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from."

Yes, Virginia, you must own a qualifying upgradeable product. AND, you forfeit your right to ever install the old version again, on any computer. Obviously, these are legalities, but they are real, nonetheless.