In-place upgrade with retail / OEM / OSB / SB versions?

[Drachenstein]

Hello

Is the in-place upgrade to Windows 7 possible with

a) retail versions
b) OEM / OSB / SB version?

Or do I have to buy this special "upgrade version"?

I only get contradictorily information (very frustrating!) and need advice from your side.


Thanks a lot!

Wolfgang


P.S. Yes, I know about the pros and cons in general regarding in-place upgrade vs. clean installation

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, in-place upgrade is possible using full retail, or from manufacturer's OEM. Builders OEM is installed to new hardware and then locked in place, but qualify as an upgradable OS to a higher version.

Most economical of course is the Upgrade version, even installed to new HDD as long as you have the qualifying XP/Vista to back it up in case of future elevation to MS phone activation person (rare) during reinstall. But making a Win7 Backup Image makes reinstalls never again necessary.

Hope this answers your question. If not, everything is parsed here: What Microsoft won't tell you about Windows 7 licensing | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com

 

[Drachenstein]

Yes, in-place upgrade is possible using full retail, or from manufacturer's OEM.
...

Most economical of course is the Upgrade version

Hey Greg, thanks for your answer!

Strange, but the OEM retail (full-) version is cheaper than the official Upgrade version

Therefore I'd prefer to get the OEM version. But I was told that in-place upgrades are not possible with it. Only with the retail (or the upgrade) version.

So please excuse that I ask this: do you know that an OEM version will work as well for sure (e.g. did you try it by yourself) or do you know a trusted source of this info?

Thank you so much

Wolfgang

 

[gregrocker]

I have only ever heard of Builder's OEM being installed to brand new hardware, so others will hopefully know for sure if it can be used to in-place Upgrade Vista. ANYONE?

The greater concern with Builders' OEM is that it is locked to the hardware on that one machine so it cannot migrate if/when that machine dies.

A full retail or Upgrade version can migrate freely as long as it is on only one machine at a time. I have seen a $150 family 3 pack of Premium upgrades, which is the magical $50 each price given us beta testers.

 

[Drachenstein]

The greater concern with Builders' OEM is that it is locked to the hardware on that one machine so it cannot migrate if/when that machine dies.

A full retail or Upgrade version can migrate freely as long as it is on only one machine at a time. I have seen a $150 family 3 pack of Premium upgrades, which is the magical $50 each price given us beta testers.

Thanks for the hint, you're absolutely right. And I'm aware about the pros and cons regarding OEM and retail versions. Usually notebooks I buy will have the OS already installed, I just need to upgrade my current machine.

The in-place update is according to my information not possible with the family 3 pack.

I have only ever heard of Builder's OEM being installed to brand new hardware, so others will hopefully know for sure if it can be used to in-place Upgrade Vista. ANYONE?

I'll be happy for all hints.

 

[gregrocker]

A full retail or Upgrade version can migrate freely as long as it is on only one machine at a time. I have seen a $150 family 3 pack of Premium upgrades, which is the magical $50 each price given us beta testers.

The in-place update is according to my information not possible with the family 3 pack.

The family 3 pack I have seen is an Upgrade license. In place upgrade is therefore available on Vista, but XP requires a clean install. You can also boot from the DVD to do a cleaner install, even to formatted metal: http://community.winsupersite.com/b...-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-the-answer.aspx

 

[Drachenstein]

Actually I would like to buy the ordinary OEM / OSB / SB version.

Does anyone know if the in-place upgrade to Windows 7 is possible with this version?

Thanks a lot!

Wolfgang

 

[Kari]

Hi Wolfgang, we meet again!

Yes. Have done it on two machines. You just have to remember an OEM version is tied to the computer and hardware configuration in which it was installed in the first place. If you make hardware changes or later want to install it on another computer, you have to reactivate it by phone and explain what did you change or why you want to transfer the activation to a new computer.

Retail versions, full and upgrade, can be normally reinstalled and reactivated.

Kari

 

[Dave76]

I will also confirm what Greg and Kari have mentioned.

You can upgrade-in-place from Vista with the Win7 OEM version.

 

[Drachenstein]

Wow, so great to hear, that's music in my ears - THANKS!

So I'll order a OEM version tonight, yupiieee!!

There's a shop that sells the Ultimate OEM for $119 where you only get the key and a link to download the software. Looks serious though.

Do you think that can be trusted and the price is fair?


kind regards,

Wolfgang

 

[Tews]

There is nothing wrong with that method... Thats how my TechNet subscription works... As to the price, you'll need to search the interwebz and see what the going rate is... Good Luck!

 

[gregrocker]

Newegg has full retail Pro on sale for $124 on Black Friday: BLACK FRIDAY DEAL LEAK – Only 1 DAY until our biggest sale of the year begins!

Also $104 Home Premium regular price for OEM Builders & $109 HP upgrade, the best deal if you don't need bitlocker since it is not locked to hardware and can migrate:
Newegg.com - Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows 7, Win 7 Ultimate, Win 7 Pro, Win 7 Premium, Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP, Win 7 Upgrade.

 

[Drachenstein]

GOOD NEWS!

After all now it's done - I'm running on Windows 7!

The in-place upgrade using an OEM version did work without problems - although I had a shock after the purchase because it said that only clean installations are possible....

So after backing up a lot, uninstalling things that will (following the Upgrade Advisor) cause problems, waiting and eating my fingernails finally it was a piece of cake. What a luck, I'm so happy!

cheers from Switzerland

Wolfgang

 

[Tews]

Im glad to hear that you have it sorted out!!

 

[Kari]

Im glad to hear that you have it sorted out!!

+1

It is always refreshing to read about positive Seven experience. Have fun!

 

[Mombodog]

You just have to remember an OEM version is tied to the computer and hardware configuration in which it was installed in the first place. If you make hardware changes or later want to install it on another computer, you have to reactivate it by phone

OEM cannot be legally transferred to another PC, or if the original PC has a mobo transplant, you will have to buy another OEM license.

.

 

[Drachenstein]

Im glad to hear that you have it sorted out!!

... only with the help of nice people in forums

It is always refreshing to read about positive Seven experience. Have fun!

Yeah, Seven is cool. In this moment I just try the hint of a different thread in order to excempt specific progs from the annoying UAC... I seems to work

You just have to remember an OEM version is tied to the computer and hardware configuration in which it was installed in the first place. If you make hardware changes or later want to install it on another computer, you have to reactivate it by phone

OEM cannot be legally transferred to another PC, or if the original PC has a mobo transplant, you will have to buy another OEM license.

.

Thanks for this hints.

You know, there are various aspects and pro's and con's for OEM vs. retail versions, in-place upgrades vs. clean installations, Windows vs. Linux, BMW vs. Honda etc. etc.

I'm aware of all of them, thanks. I suggest in order not to overload this thread to open new threads for these discussions. Thanks!

Cheers

Wolfgang

 

[gregrocker]

This thread is already the #2 search result on Google for "in place upgrade with OEM" and will clue others that you cannot do in-place Upgrade with builder's OEM.

Kari's experience with being able to migrate OEM license seems like another example of MS liberalizing the use of Upgrade and now builder's OEM media to effectively be full retail.

Have others been able to migrate their builder's OEM? What excuses does MS accept?

 

[Kari]

You just have to remember an OEM version is tied to the computer and hardware configuration in which it was installed in the first place. If you make hardware changes or later want to install it on another computer, you have to reactivate it by phone

OEM cannot be legally transferred to another PC, or if the original PC has a mobo transplant, you will have to buy another OEM license.

.

I've done it. Both ways, Vista Ultimate OEM reinstall and reactivation last January after changing motherboard, and installing Seven Ultimate OEM a couple of weeks ago for my friend to a completely new computer when his old laptop where it was first installed was no longer working after a shortcut.

Microsoft's phone service is excellent, you just have to tell them a good reason why it was necessary. In both of my cases there were no problems and I was given a new key over the phone.

Kari

 

[Mombodog]

I've done it. Both ways, Vista Ultimate OEM reinstall and reactivation last January after changing motherboard, and installing Seven Ultimate OEM a couple of weeks ago for my friend to a completely new computer when his old laptop where it was first installed was no longer working after a shortcut.

I guess that Microsoft can violate thier own EULA if they wish.

In general, OEM software may not be transferred from one system to another system. However, the computer system can certainly be updated with new components without the requirement of a new software license. The only exception to this is the motherboard 1. If the motherboard is replaced 2, the computer system is deemed "new" and a new license would be required. Other PC components may be upgraded, including a hard drive. Though if the hard drive 3 is replaced/upgraded, the operating system must first be removed from the old hard drive. To restate: the operating system is "married" to the computer system on which it is originally installed.

OEM EULA

.