Windows 7: Anytime Upgrade vs Upgrade questions...

Essentially I'm trying to figure out the best way to get to *cough*legal*cough* Ultimate, or at least Professional if that gets too expensive. I soooo do not trust what I'm running right now, but I wanted to try it out-- And I love 7. I do own a copy of both XP MCE SP2, and Vista.



Could I ever get a clean install from purchasing this "Anytime Upgrade" deal? I keep reading it's just a download- but of what? A disc image? Or just an installer? Or just some sort of key generator to "unlock higher versions" (as one person speculated)?

Or must I buy an "Upgrade Version?"

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

[And btw Hi I'm new here blah blah blah LOVE THE SITE! ]

I think this should answer your question.
If I'm reading you right.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Basically how anytime upgrade works is you enter in a key, Windows 7 does a few things and BAM you got a better version after a restart. It's not for fresh installs of 7, only existing installs. You can buy Windows right from Microsoft of course, or from your retailer of choice (NCIX, Newegg, Best Buy, Future Shop, etc.)

oooh, I see now, yeah ignore my post I was on a different page with things.

I would suggest getting a actual upgrade disc, as you seem to be implying you are not currently legitimate in your use. Your best bet is to get a upgrade disc, you have two previous version so that shouldn't be a problem. Though likely a bit more expensive, the upgrade won't magically make your illegal copy legal though.

Anytime unlocks features in a licensed Windows 7 lesser version. It doesn't sound like what you need.

I would reconsider Ultimate or Pro unless you know for sure you need the extra features as they are hardly worth the extra money unless you do. Compare Windows 7 Editions

The best deal by far right now is Windows 7 Home Premium Family 3 pack of licenses for $129 on Amazon - 3 for less than the price of one. These can of course migrate for life - you only need a qualifying XP or VIsta on the target machine or a retail copy on hand which you do not use again.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
Reinstalling Windows 7

Yeah, those 2 (XP&Vista) came from Dell with previous computers via my parents. The Vista one might be OEM but somehow the XP is Retail, both 32-bit. I just built a new rig, (8GB) stretching my own cash as far as possible. I've hated Vista with a passion, and wanted to make sure that 7 was going to be worth leaving XP for, bearing cost in mind.

I realize just plugging the key in would only be false security. I want a clean install, from XP/Vista if necessary, especially since I went tweaking havoc around this registry and now some things appear to be missing and updates won't install... ^____^U

Ah, can't wait to make it home. Thank you so much!

as long as you have the original media and the legit key an upgrade should be possible.

It's possible to do a clean install with a 7 upgrade disc, we have a tutorial here on the forums on how to do it. I recommend Professional over Ultimate, as
A. Professional is supported until January 2020 versus January 2015 for Ultimate
B. Ultimate's only real features over Pro is BitLocker and Virtual Hard Disk booting, which nearly nobody uses
C. Professional is far far cheaper

Boot the Upgrade disk, choose Custom Install, use Drive Options to delete XP or Vista, then repartition as you wish, Format before install.

Illustrated steps here: Clean Install Windows 7

Thank you all! Win 7 Prof Upgrade is en route as we speak via Newegg. Looks like Monday after class I get to do that clean install. Have done that before, btw, so I'll be fine, but thanks! ^u^