Windows 7 - Will I have to format?

Well my laptop fan stopped working so I took it to Future Shop (had three year warranty) to be fixed. I had a stupid Acer, which they were unable to find parts for so they gave me a new computer. I got a ten times better computer then what I had before. I had gotten Windows 7 Ultimate (full version) before I had the problem and got a new computer.

To my point. My new HP came with Windows 7 Home but I want Ultimate. If I put Ultimate on will I have to format the computer first before I can install it? Or will it just upgrade my computer, keeping all the programs and drivers on? The reason why I ask is because I don't want to have to re-install all the drivers and what not. When I formatted my last laptop and put the drivers all back on, it never worked the same again: like the web cam never worked anymore, those media buttons at the top of the keyboard never worked again, and the button to turn off the touch pad didn't work. I installed all the drivers for them from the Acer wed site but still nothing.

I like all the programs and how every things work now but I want Windows 7 Ultimate.

You never have to format, but if you format it is called a clean install. My advice is install your windows DVD. When you arrive at advanced options, chose format. If you make a copy of your present OS, you can always go back to the point that you made the copy. So there is not downside, other than the work of reinstalling your programs. As you install, you are installing one of the best OS, on the market, today and you will enjoy it. Why not format take the time to reinstall your programs and really be satisfied with the OS. I know that 95% of my co members agree that formating is the best way to go. Once your OS is up and running, adctivated and all programs installed, make a system image. You will never have to reinstall again, as everything is on your system image.

If you have aq problem with any program, etc, come back here and we will help you. In addition if you make a copy of your OS, first, you can always return to that point if your installation runs into problems

The Windows 7 DVD is driver-complete, meaning you won't have to find hardly any drivers. Bookmark your manufacturer's Support Downloads page for your model so you can find them there if needed along with any apps you like. WIndows Updates will also deliver newer ones quickly.

This is not like Vista, as MS funded the partnership with all manufacturers (WHQL) to build drivers for Windows 7 and has them first in the installer and via Windows Updates. Plug ethernet cable and select "Keep connected to internet during install" to be kept up to date with drivers during install.

I hope you retrieved your Ultimate from the boinked machine before turning it back in, either restoring Vista or just wiping the drive. A retail purchase of full version Ultimate belongs to you for life, you can migrate it to the machine of your choice. You did not hand it over to your supplier without expressly giving them your owned copy, and you can retrieve it under the EULA by reinstalling it (as with stolen/lost). Here's how:

When you do your clean formatted install as Rich suggests above, wait until connecting to the internet to Activate at Computer>Properties, then it may require a robocall during which you will trade a series of numbers that deactivate Windows 7 on the old machine and activate it on the new one. If this fails, talk with a person and explain the situation - that the old machine was returned. The license belongs to the person holding the key insert and receipt.

I think you may have missed my point. If I do a clean install that will mean I'd have to go online and reinstall all the drivers. I rather not do that because the last time I did that with a laptop, half the drives didn't work, therefore half the things on my laptop didn't work. I don't want that to happen again.

I know a clean install is better. But I just want to upgrade without having to format. I can do that right?

There are one or two programs that came with the computer which I'd like to keep but I can't seem to find them online so they can be reinstalled.

CAN I GO FROM HOME TO ULTIMATE WITHOUT FORMATTING?

I guess I'm just scared due to the problems I had with my Acer. The fact that I had an Acer didn't help, I'm sure.

But I sill much rather do the update without formatting.

Is there some particular functionality that Ultimate has that you think you need? Just asking as people seem to think that Ultimate is so much better, but find they don't actually need the features it provides.

If you do need the features, you can always do the anytime upgrade which unlocks the features. You don't have to format or reinstall to do that upgrade.

I agree. We used Ultimate on all of our computers for beta testing for a year. Then half of the computers got the pre-order Premium Upgrades (the others have Ultimate Sig. Edition and RTM) and we cannot tell the difference.

I'm told Premium would not be able to initiate Remote Desktop, only receive it. And no Bitlocker. But what else is the difference?

And you DO NOT have to find and install drivers with Windows 7, as I explained in the post above.

Sorry but this is not Vista.

Here is what Ultimate has that is not available in Professional:

BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, Direct Access, Branche Cache, MUI language packs, boot from VHD.

Here is what Professional has that is not available in Home Premium:

Domain join, Remote Desktop host, location aware printing, EFS, Mobility Center, Presentation Mode, Offline Folders, Group Policy (GP) controls, advanced backup, XP Mode.

I have Ultimate and I know what the differences are between all of them. I don't care for Home but there are many things in Ultimate that I want. I have the full OS not the upgrade. You also can't anytime upgrade with to Ultimate "it's not available in all editions of Windows 7, such as Windows 7 Ultimate edition."

FYI:
"Location aware printing" doesn't affect network printing since we printt from/to all of our Ult/HP computers.

Offline Folders is one service in Windows 7 that can use turning off if you don't want any file you transfer between computers always being tracked and sync'd, using gobs of CPU all of the time.