What is the Difference?

nate42nd said:

It's starting to make me sick that I didn't get full retail. I have to stop thinking about it. I hope I never need it. I think I will order another full retail. I have two systems.....damn all these versions on top of versions. Makes may head spin.....

What version did you buy? An OEM?

I did the same thing. I don't plan to get a new computer for awhile. So, with the $100+ that I saved, I can hold onto it and use it for other things. If down the road, I want a new copy of Windows on another machine, I'll have a decision to make then as to what version to get.

Relax...everything will be alright.

Lordbob75 said:

Upgrade means that you will install OVER you vista install, but it keeps your programs and files.

If you are planning to dual boot you cannot use the upgrade version.

~Lordbob

And with this upgrade version is it just a one time thing? Or can I use it on mine and my brothers computers?
I really do appreciate your help!

Sean

You can only use it one time "per cd key". You would have to have another key for your brothers computer if you wanted to install it there.

pparks1 said:

You can only use it one time "per cd key". You would have to have another key for your brothers computer if you wanted to install it there.

Thanks for all your help!

I think I will just buy the Full then, just in case.

Sean

The full version can only be installed 1 time per cd key as well. If you want to install on your computer and your brothers computer, plan to buy 2 copies then.

There is some confusion between the Upgrade disk and the options which are on the Upgrade disk, which are also called "Upgrade" and "Custom" for clean install.

You can buy the Upgrade disk and use it to "Upgrade" Vista which will transfer all of your files and reinstall your programs, starting up pretty much like your Vista left off. Or you can choose the "Custom" install option and clean install over the Vista (files go into windows.old for later access), install to a formatted partition, or to a primary formatted second hard drive.

As far as portability, Upgrade disks supposedly inherit the lock (OEM) or portability (retail) of the underlying qualifying operating system, however MS has no mechanism to check whether it is migrated to other hardware, only that it is not used on more than one machine at a time.

gregrocker said:

There is some confusion between the Upgrade disk and the options which are on the Upgrade disk, which are also called "Upgrade" and "Custom" for clean install.

You can buy the Upgrade disk and use it to "Upgrade" Vista which will transfer all of your files and reinstall your programs, starting up pretty much like your Vista left off. Or you can choose the "Custom" install option and clean install over the Vista (files go into windows.old for later access), install to a formatted partition, or to a primary formatted second hard drive.

As far as portability, Upgrade disks supposedly inherit the lock (OEM) or portability (retail) of the underlying qualifying operating system, however MS has no mechanism to check whether it is migrated to other hardware, only that it is not used on more than one machine at a time.

so if i buy the new win7 Ultimate to upgrade from my win vista home premium i could click on custom install everything would go into a windows.old folder and i could bassicly delete all that ? :)