Windows 7 - Home Basic to Ultimate Upgrade

1. Can I do this upgrade without losing my installed programs?
2. What's the difference between Anytime Upgrade with the CD/DVD installation?
3. I'm currently running Home Basic 32bit. Can I upgrade it to Ultimate 64bit?

1. Yes, it should work
2. I'll leave this to someone more knowledgable in this area
3. No, you can only upgrade 32 to 32 or 64 to 64

If u purchase anytime upgrade u will be provided a key with which u can upgrade to the respective edition without reinstalling the os.Where as In retail edition u should either upgrade or clean install.

regarding no. 1, what kind of installation should I choose? The upgrade or the custom? I've read some posts regarding this some say "custom" and some say "upgrade." And I'm confused.

Hello yeroman, welcome to Seven Forums!



There is no upgrade path from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows, it will have to be a clean install; the best way to go forward is to make back-ups of the data you need to save and do a wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive, have a look at this information below.

All the installed programs/apps will have to be reinstalled so be sure to save the activation keys where applicable and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

   Information

After you have made backups of everything you care to save and you want to do a real wipe "clean all" to the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) have a look at this tutorial at the link below, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old Windows drivers, giving you the best possible space to install Windows 7 to; it goes hand-in-hand with a clean install.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Take a look at this:
Windows Anytime Upgrade - Upgrade your Windows 7 edition - Microsoft Windows

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is neeed.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to

Let me get this straight, with Anytime Update I can upgrade from home basic to ultimate without losing my files - and without downloading anything?

Yes.

Windows 7 Upgrade Paths

So that means in the event that my computer crashes and have to install windows 7 again, i won't be able to install Ultimate and use the installer I have here instead, which is Home Basic?

Yes but since anytime upgrade just takes 10 minutes and is non-destructive, whats the problem?