Windows 7: Windows 7 Upgrade Path Question

My friend wants to take advantage of the Windows 7 upgrade prices, but he asked me an interesting question about whether or not he'd be eligible. He is currently running XP Pro, and I know that you qualify for the upgrade (by clean install) by having XP. However, he told me that his copy of XP isn't legitimate. I'm not sure if he has a volume license installation or what, but he did tell me that Windows doesn't nag and appears as if it's genuine and activated. He wanted to know whether or not the Windows 7 upgrade disc would check for a genuine installation or if it would just recognize that XP was installed and that was good enough to qualify. I thought the latter was right, but he wanted me to ask around before he threw down the $50. Anyone have some insight?

I hear you can do it with a legitimate copy of XP but I would not risk $50 if it's not legitimate. He'll have to bite the bullet and pay for it this time.

Alright, it's always good to play it safe. Thing is for him is that he's on the fence on whether or not to upgrade. He's tried 7 and he is still ok sticking with XP. I've been trying to push him over the edge to upgrade. I know that if he has to pay any more than the $50 to upgrade to 7, it's never going to happen =/.

By the way, I forgot to check on whether or not this type of discussion is allowed on these forums (I know it slightly involves talking about illegitimate windows). If this is against the rules, I apologize. I'm not meaning to endorse piracy at all.

I think it would be ok to run the upgrade. Unless Windows 7 uses a different process, and unlike XP does not care if the "current" installation is legit or not, then he should fine. I have used legitimate XP to make pirated installations of XP become legal. As an IT professional and consultant, I had clients who had pirated installations of XP, and when they got the WGA notify message about having a "bad" copy installed, I simply ran the "good" copy of XP over the "bad" copy (like an upgrade), and that fixed the issue. I usually prefer to do clean installs, but depending on the client, I had to go with the upgradr option. I have never experienced doing this with Windows 7, so I can't say for certain, but I think it should work the same. I am a member of TechNet and TechNet Plus, I will find out and post back.

*****Side note**** I see the admin changed my avatar, haha. It's ok, I know why, and I apologize for the prior avatar. Could of just told me, I would have gladly changed it.

So far I have gotten one response that say the upgrade will fail with is pirated version of XP. I will see what others say.

Thanks for investigating for me, Zay, I really appreciate it. I remember XP working how you stated, which is what led me to believe that it might work with Windows 7. I also thought that Microsoft would appreciate a customer going from illegitimate to legitimate and cut them a small break. But again, I was merely speculating and that's why I wanted to ask =). If you find out any more information, I'd be happy to know.

It does not matter if XP is pirated or not because you will be doing a clean install so you can use the double install method. Windows 7 Upgrade Guide: All Your Questions Answered

Yup is right, and he actually beat me to the resposne I am about to post. Regardless of what he has, he will end up doing a clean install anyway. All that xp is providing is a platform for the upgrade disk to begin from. They say upgrade, but technically it is a new installation. The difference with the upgrade disk, and the full version, is the ability to begin the installation from a brand new empty hd. See this link
http://community.winsupersite.com/bl...k-exactly.aspx

Thanks to everyone who replied, you were all most helpful!