can i install win 7 ultimate over win 7 home premium oem ?

Kari · 09 Jan 2013

It is almost impossible to find exact information on OEM licences, mainly because Microsoft makes it with purpose really difficult to find. The reason is one of changes in EULA, stricktly speaking it is no longer allowed to be used by a private user.

Earlier OEM EULA had this paragraph:

"OEM system builder software packs are intended for PC and server manufacturers or assemblers ONLY. They are not intended for distribution to end users. Unless the end user is actually assembling his/her own PC, in which case, that end user is considered a system builder as well."

The highlighted part has been removed from OEM EULA. However, it is still possible to buy and use OEM, and normally you can replace hardware components as long as you replace them with parts from the same hardware vendor.

Because according to today's EULA OEM is no longer allowed for private use, the more specific rules on which hardware it can be used are removed.

I have assembled a lot of PCs throughout my years in IT. I have had success in reusing OEM when a part or two has been replaced. Sometimes it has required a phone activation but still, activation has been mostly OK.

I have never succeeded activating an OEM licence when everything except motherboard has been changed (have only tried a couple of times, though).

Useful link: What Microsoft won't tell you about Windows 7 licensing | ZDNet

Kari

AddRAM · 09 Jan 2013

scruffy1 said:

my interpretation of oem is that it is tied to a component of the original install, and that arbitrarily windows defines the essential component as the motherboard

i am a keen builder and i regularly change cpu / ram / gpu / sound card and power supplies dependent on available upgrades; the "new" build on the old board would be re-using my prior lower end components

it would appear in your example that the eula is a poorly disguised snow job to oblige people to buy a new o.s. licence to continue to use their old hardware, to maximise profit

surprise ! (not), but i have no hesitation in utilising the licence that was tied to the motherboard to continue to use the motherboard it was tied to - that wasn't my choice, it's how the licence reads, unless they have belatedly altered the original oem that was provided with my build and i am quite certain a retrospective unilateral change of contract by the vendor would be invalid

i appreciate your suggestion and think a new install is the way i will be obliged to go; i think your interpretation of the oem licence is incorrect though

that's somewhat like telling me if i pimp my car it's not the same car, and i need to buy a new licence to drive it

I totally agree with you on this one, you can change everything but the motherboard. Unless of course it`s a Dell, where if you change 1 memory stick you`ll get a message telling you to call Dell. LOL

gregrocker · 10 Jan 2013

If you have a full version Ultimate Product Key then license-wise you're not upgrading even if you use Anytime Upgrade as the platform to unlock the extra features from Home Premium's previous install. A full version license overrides any other requirements. You are simply using a workaround to avoid reinstalling. Anytime Upgrade doesn't care what you're upgrading or where it came from as long as you have a full Ultimate key.

I may have missed something further in the details as its late and I only skimmed the thread. I'm sure you're also aware that what you want to do is less than a third-rate install since you've piggybacked on several other installs by now transferring over accumulated corruption. Remember that to get Win7's perfect native performance you need a perfect install as outlined in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - same for retail.

scruffy1 · 10 Jan 2013

gregrocker said:

I may have missed something further in the details as its late and I only skimmed the thread. I'm sure you're also aware that what you want to do is less than a third-rate install since you've piggybacked on several other installs by now transferring over accumulated corruption. Remember that to get Win7's perfect native performance you need a perfect install as outlined in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - same for retail.

wish i'd read this first

i went for the clean install, only to run foul of the ssd hating ahci with win 7

despite all manipulations i either get bsod, or even worse, advice that i can't install once i can see the formatted ssd AND have the drivers loaded

sigh !

scruffy1 · 10 Jan 2013

and in true windows style, the remedy was simply to install kubuntu and release its grasp on the mbr

windows of course then couldn't help enough to allow me to do the business

why is that such a success when all the help forums give extensive instructions to placate windows with all sorts of manouevres that fail ? surely windows could manage a simple install over its own prior o.s ...

Golden · 10 Jan 2013

It would help if you gave the SSD type and BSOD details.

scruffy1 · 10 Jan 2013

Golden said:

It would help if you gave the SSD type and BSOD details.

thanks, but the above mechanism made windows relent

nothing like the threat of being usurped by linux to bring it around

Golden · 10 Jan 2013

gregrocker · 10 Jan 2013

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. Next if an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. We are creating the partition here to mark it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

scruffy1 · 13 Jan 2013

thanks for the help, but i am up and running