Windows 7: upgrading to windows 7 ultimate - Problem

so i am trying to upgrade my windows 7 home edition to ultimate, i got the software and serial number through my uni.



however when trying to upgrade it directs me to windows anytime upgrade, which requires an upgrade key which i obviously dont have.

now i no i can get ultimate by fully installing it but i dont want to lose my files, programs etc, is there a way around this. (that doesnt breach any conditions or anything)

You can use a retail Windows 7 key in Anytime Upgrade. Just type Anytime in Start Search box, insert Product Key where prompted and in 10 minutes the extra features are unlocked.

Then save a Windows 7 backup image so you never have to reinstall either version again. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

You might also want to first get a backup image of Home Premium so you have a path back if you later decide you want to migrate Ultimate key elsewhere - retail Windows 7 keys can migrate for life, as long as they are on only one machine at a time. Keep in mind you also always will own a $100+ copy of Premium on that machine.

i already tried using the serial number given, it passed the verifying stage but it stopped later, saying something like "this serial number cannot be used with windows anytime upgrade"

Are you sure you typed the right number, if you recieved your serial number by email try copy & paste.

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

thanks, tried it again and definitely used the correct number and it didnt work, the error said;
"The upgrade key you entered is for an edition of windows that does not work with windows anytime upgrade"

also the number is a valid number just not for upgrade as it does pass the verification stage, (changing a letter gets it rejected)

In that case you can try the workaround to in-place Upgrade between Windows 7 versions by which many beta testers changed to their paid version of Windows 7. We have used it often here with success.

The workaround fools the installer into thinking it is doing an always-allowed same-version Repair Install by changing two registry keys. Set a restore point then change the two keys shown below to exactly Ultimate and Windows 7 Ultimate:


Now from the desktop you can run an Ultimate in-place Upgrade which will keep all programs, files and settings in place while changing the OS to Ultimate.

You may need to find an installer with SP1 if you have SP1 installed, or else uninstall it first: uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). The compatibility check will tell you.

Let us know how this goes.

as it turns out its professional not ultimate

Then change the two keys exactly as shown in screenshot. Do you have an installer with SP1? If you have SP 1 installed you will need to uninstall it first to see if it will allow the "upgrade."

yeah i have one with sp1 and it seems like it gonna work, it first told me to uninstall itunes before.
thankyou

a successful installation
thank you very much