Windows 7: Vista Ultimate OEM upgrade to Windows 7

Gday



I have a Vista Ultimate OEM currently installed on a PC, I am getting another Windows 7 retail soon.

Can I use just the Windows 7 upgrade as opposed to a clean install?

You want to always do a clean install, an upgrade just hides the old problems with a new OS. You will have problems with an upgrade.

Yes you can upgrade but only to the Ultimate edition of Windows 7, so make sure thats the one you get.

Windows 7 Upgrade Paths

I would defenatly recommend a clean install with documents backed up, it will be faster and free up some space. You can upgrade but as Richc said the upgrade may be problematic or it will pass on some issues. Opt for clean install, just back up all important files and format HDD.

You will be able to upgrade perfectly fine.

If you do not feel like going through the hassle of performing a clean install (regardless if its preferred or not) you should have little to no problems with an upgrade. Bear in mind that there IS a chance that you may have some problems.

Its not 100% certain you will though so I suggest trying an upgrade first and if you 'have' to then do a clean install.

Hello Fiery, welcome to Seven Forums!







Here is one of the better options, you can have a Windows 7 clean install and the Vista too.

Have a thorough look at this tutorial at the link below to see a way to create a partition ahead of the current Vista partition, so it will be extremely easy to move your data from Vista to the new Windows 7 partition and when the time comes to remove Vista this method makes that so much easier.

Be sure to post back with any questions you may have and to keep us updated.


Dual Boot : Create Partitions Using PWBD

I just finished making the move from Vista Ultimate to Win 7 Pro. You have to do a clean install and you have to re-install all the programs and drivers and etc. When you try to register Win 7 Pro you get an error message telling you "This specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installation." Just call MicroSoft @ 1-800-642-7676 and they will walk you through the product registration. It is so simple, I wish I wrote it down, it took about 10 minutes from me calling. Now I have a dual boot system of Vista Ult. and Win 7 Pro.
I installed Win 7 on a new drive, you would have to create a partition for it as it was suggested above.

Just a note; When upgrading, you'll only be able to upgrade to the same edition that you had before.

So for example you can upgrade from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate. While you cannot upgrade from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Home Premium.

Just thought I'd post this incase people misunderstand the upgrade process a bit.

To clarify, you can buy an Upgrade version if you have any retail copy of XP or Vista, or either came on that machine.

However, to do an in-place Upgrade you must have the same version of Vista.

Otherwise you need to do a Custom clean install: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

No it's Vista Ultimate OEM and Wndows 7 Ultimate Retail