Windows 7 - Should I prepare my HDD for a fresh install of 7 Ultimate?

I currently have Windows 7 Home Premium. I just got the Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit cd and I plan to install it.

Do I need to do anything to my HDD or can I just boot from the CD and install?


P.S. I do not care to save anything that is on my HDD, I am fine with a full overwrite.

No. Just dive in.

I remember reading on another thread that you can type you product key into the anytime update thing and unlock the features only available in Ultimate without having to reinstall windows.

You're fine as long as your existing os is in good shape.

That's right, Jonathan_King did that too, no problem at all.

Upgrade Win 7 home prem to professional using upgrade disk

Depends on whether you feel you need a clean reinstall. If you're happy with your present install's performance, then you can simply unlock Ultimate features by inserting your Ultimate Product Key into Windows Anytime Upgrade.

But if you feel your rig can perform better with a clean reinstall, boot from the Ultimate DVD and clean your HD first before install: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Clean Install Windows 7

Then you know you've gotten as clean as you can get.

Why do you feel the need to upgrade from home premium to Ultimate? Are there some particular features that you miss in Home premium that you can think Ultimate can provide?

If not, save the Ultimate license for another machine or another time. OTOH, if its a considered decision, make sure you image your current install to an external media. That'll let you revert to home premium at a later date with all your apps and windows activation intact. If its an OEM machine, create the recovery dvds before switching.

Also remember that an upgrade install obsoletes the license for the underlying OS (unless you have a full version Ultimate disk).

Hi, RoloDman.

Before you jump right in, you should be aware of one thing. If you're currently running the Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit version, and you wish to use an upgrade CD to get Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit version, I don't think it'll work.

When I was running Windows Vista 32-bit, and tried to upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit through an upgrade CD, it wouldn't let me. I believe if you're going from 32-bit to 64-bit, you're going to have to get a full installation CD. I can't be 100% sure on this, so by all means go ahead and give it a go. I don't know whether you're running a 64-bit operating system now or not, that's all.

Obviously, you're going to have to confirm that your hardware is all compatible with 64-bit software before making the transition (if you are).

Another thing to consider, also, is what you use your computer for. Some software isn't compatible with 64-bit operating systems, which is why you're going to have to check that any applications you currently use on a regular basis are compatible with your new operating system.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

Hi Harvey.

I wish you'd found us earlier, as we could have told you that you don't need to buy a full version to upgrade to Windows 7 from Vista, even while changing from 32 to 64 bit. You're entitled to either 32- or 64-bit with each Windows 7 license, and having Vista qualifies you for Upgrade version even if you have to format the HD before install to change bit version.

When you boot Windows 7 DVD it scans the HD to see any OS, which passes a flag to allow Upgrade version key - even if you then go on to repartition and format using Custom>Drive Options. This is how you would change from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Windows 7 using the Upgrade version you qualify for.

Thanks for clarifying this with me, gregrocker!