How do I upgrade from 7 Pro to 7 Enterprise?

[alanterrill]

I want to make Ultimate the standard version in my organization, but no one seems to be selling PCs with Ultimate or Enterprise preinstalled, so I have to buy Windows 7 Pro machines and then upgrade. I've now got some Ultimate license keys but I can't see how to apply them. In system -Windows activation -it just says 'Windows is activated' and a product ID -no option to upgrade or replace the key -any idea how I do the upgrade? (and no. my Microsoft reseller doesn't have a clue!)

 

[zigzag3143]

I want to make Ultimate the standard version in my organization, but no one seems to be selling PCs with Ultimate or Enterprise preinstalled, so I have to buy Windows 7 Pro machines and then upgrade. I've now got some Ultimate license keys but I can't see how to apply them. In system -Windows activation -it just says 'Windows is activated' and a product ID -no option to upgrade or replace the key -any idea how I do the upgrade? (and no. my Microsoft reseller doesn't have a clue!)

Hi and welcome

Piece of cake. There is a 3rd Party app called jellybean key finder, which also lets you change it. its here Magical Jelly Bean Software - Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0.1

Ken

 

[theog]

Take a look at step 3 here:

Windows Anytime Upgrade - Windows 7 - Microsoft Windows

 

[pparks1]

One reason that you cannot find computers prebuilt with Enterprise is because Enterprise is not sold in retail channels. Instead, it's only possible to obtain that software and keys through a volume licensing agreement with Microsoft. You cannot just walk into a retail chain or go through Amazon.com and find Enterprise licenses.

If you want to standardize on a particular OS, you might want to contact MS to see if a particular license agreement with them would benefit you.

 

[alanterrill]

Thanks for all your suggestions. When I said I couldn't find machines pre-installed with Enterprise, I did mean Ultimate of course -I'm aware that they seem to give it two different names for what appears to be the same product, but why is no one selling Ultimate? I want to use the Direct Acceess feature which is only found in those two.
I did find the place where the upgrade number goes eventually- its in control panel – System under the Windows Edition, it says ‘Get more features with a new edition of Windows 7’ . When you click on this it is say ‘enter an upgrade key’ , so I put my license number in – it verifies the key and starts upgrading and then stops and says “The upgrade key you entered is for an edition of windows that does not work with Windows Anytime Upgrade.” Ah well back to Microsoft to find out why the license key they've given me doesn't work. I wonder why they make it so difficult?

 

[pparks1]

but why is no one selling Ultimate?

Well, it's because most people want to keep their computer purchase as cheap as possible and the vast majority of home PC users simply do not need the functionality provided by the Ultimate version of Windows. It's cheaper for the OEM to license Home Premium and then just allow the customer to do an "anytime" upgrade if they need the additional features.

I wonder why they make it so difficult?

To generate revenue and try to cut down on piracy. Personally, I don't see a great need to have multiple versions of Windows. Just make 1 copy of the desktop system and provide it in 32bit and 64bit formats. Why restrict features? Just seems greedy to me.

 

[alanterrill]

but why is no one selling Ultimate? Well, it's because most people want to keep their computer purchase as cheap as possible and the vast majority of home PC users simply do not need the functionality provided by the Ultimate version of Windows. It's cheaper for the OEM to license Home Premium and then just allow the customer to do an "anytime" upgrade if they need the additional features.

Yes but as a network manager for an organization I want Business ready machines not Home User machines. The most potentially useful feature in Windows 7 for me is the Direct Access feature as we currently have a lot of users at a second site logging in through remote access sessions, and this would make their life easier - but this feature isn't available in the so called Professional version. What also annoys me is that even in the Pro and Ultimate versions , it still makes a default library folder with 'my videos' and 'my downloaded games' -now what Business wants those things? Seems to me they need a separate Windows 7 Business edition.

 

[Barman58]

In your situation I would seriously think about an image based distribution method. If you create one base copy of the ultimate SKU you want with the applicable changes made to suit your requirements, plus your basic application set, and applicable updates.

This base unit would not have the key installed, and then you can image the OS and related items and use the image to roll out your user machines.

Acronis and others have suitable software to allow for variations in system specifications

This also gives you a fall back for re-installing user machines as required with the only thing required to make a working image is add the licence details. If you are not running in a domain environment you would also need to add user logon details of course

 

[gregrocker]

There is also a workaround which will allow you to use the Ultimate installer to in-place Upgrade from Pro to Ultimate within Win7.

Use this workaround and change the registry keys shown to the exact wording for Ultimate. Pro will then think you are doing a Repair Install of Ultimate. After Upgrade, insert your activation key.

Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

 

[alanterrill]

Thanks - I might have a go at this sometime. I've never used images as our PCs are bought in ones and twos so the hardware varies considerably and the image is hardware specific (or so I thought - I'll have a look at the Acronis if it allows for variations).

In your situation I would seriously think about an image based distribution method. If you create one base copy of the ultimate SKU you want with the applicable changes made to suit your requirements, plus your basic application set, and applicable updates.

This base unit would not have the key installed, and then you can image the OS and related items and use the image to roll out your user machines.

Acronis and others have suitable software to allow for variations in system specifications

This also gives you a fall back for re-installing user machines as required with the only thing required to make a working image is add the licence details. If you are not running in a domain environment you would also need to add user logon details of course

 

[alanterrill]

Now I like the sound of this! I've just read the article and although it refers to the pre-release version of 7, I have both a 7 pro and 7 ultimate PC on my desk so I'll compare the two registries before I start. In my case there's no need to 'fiddle' anything as I get free Windows licenses under the NHS licensing agreement, but somehow neither Microsoft nor their regional agent are able to tell me which upgrade key I need, nor how I get hold of it, despite repeated phone calls and emails to both of them! I've bought a 20 user Ultimate upgrade license but it will only work with XP and Vista, not the 7 Pro machines I'm currently buying in.
I'll let you know how I get on with this.

Many Thanks,
Alan

There is also a workaround which will allow you to use the Ultimate installer to in-place Upgrade from Pro to Ultimate within Win7.

Use this workaround and change the registry keys shown to the exact wording for Ultimate. Pro will then think you are doing a Repair Install of Ultimate. After Upgrade, insert your activation key.

Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

 

[gregrocker]

MS wants us to use Anytime Upgrade to in-place Upgrade between Win7 versions.

The workaround allows you to do an in-place Upgrade between Win7 versions.

It is intended for those who have a purchased license for the version they're upgrading to, as you do.

Thus it is only a workaround to use the version you own.

 

[alanterrill]

Thanks for the tip -it worked a treat!

Alan

There is also a workaround which will allow you to use the Ultimate installer to in-place Upgrade from Pro to Ultimate within Win7.

Use this workaround and change the registry keys shown to the exact wording for Ultimate. Pro will then think you are doing a Repair Install of Ultimate. After Upgrade, insert your activation key.

Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech