Windows 7: Anytime upgrade choice

I picked up a new (for me) computer that I installed a copy of Vista Business on. All was well after the install and for almost a month then today it went through Activation and said it's invalid. I thought it was a good copy of Vista but it must have a VLK that MS no longer allows.

Anyway, I want to upgrade to Windows 7 and when I tried it I was offered Windows 7 Home Premium for $79.95 and Ultimate for $129.95. I was going to go with the Home Premium version as that would be sufficient for what I want to use this computer for, but when I got to the page where I was going to buy it all it said was Valid Upgrade from Windows 7 Basic, didn't mention anything about any version of Vista, even though I was running this from the Vista computer.

So ... what are my options? What versions of Windows 7 can I do an Anytime Upgrade to from Vista Business?

From Vista Business, you can upgrade to 7 Pro or Ultimate.

Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

Sorry Rich, Anytime Upgrade can only be used for upgrading Windows 7 to a greater version of itself.

To UPgrade Vista you'll need retail Windows 7 Upgrade version, however under the EULA there needs to be a valid Vista to qualify for Upgrade version.

What OS version do you really want on the machine? Have you considered going with OEM which is priced low because it doesn't include MS SUpport (which you don't need) and lives and dies with the mobo it is first installed upon.

Thanks to both of you.

I left off one small, important factor. I currently have 32 bit Vista Business and I want to go to a 64 bit Windows 7 so I will do what Greg suggested and get a OEM copy of Windows 7 Pro X64, which is also what I'm running on my current desktop.

This will be my new Web Server replacing a Dell 4100 933Mhz, 512MB ram. The new one is a Dell Workstation xw4400, 3.4Ghz, 4GB ram.

Sounds good. Keep us posted, Rich.

Just got Windows 7 Pro x64 from TigerDirect for $139, no shipping. Should have it in 3-4 days. Could have bought Home Premuim for $99 but for $30 more I got Pro which I like very much.

Next I get to install Apache 2.2, PHP 5.3 and MySQL 5.1 and migrate my existing Web Server to it. Should be fun for weeks to come (already have it sort of running on this machine as a test). Lots of changes needed from the old Apache and PHP to this new, current level, yikes!!!

I had a flash drive I had previously setup with all flavors of Win 7 on. I used it to Clean install Win 7 Pro X64 but deferred activation until I receive my copy from TigerDirect, then I use that key to activate with. Should work, right?

Yes it should. Looks like you went with OEM which doesn't require any workaround as when you install Upgrade version to a clean HD. Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Yes, OEM version. Got it from NewEgg, not TigerDirect though. Us old guys get easily confused.

Newegg.com - windows 7 oem

Got the OEM Win 7 Pro X64 today and it activated okay. I'm happy! Didn't even have to open the DVD case