Vista Ultimate OEM upgrade to Windows 7

[Fiery]

Gday

I have a Vista Ultimate OEM currently installed on a PC, I am getting another Windows 7 retail soon.

Can I use just the Windows 7 upgrade as opposed to a clean install?

 

[richc46]

You want to always do a clean install, an upgrade just hides the old problems with a new OS. You will have problems with an upgrade.

 

[Bill2]

Yes you can upgrade but only to the Ultimate edition of win7, so make sure thats the one you get.

Windows 7 Upgrade Paths

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

I would defenatly recommend a clean install with documents backed up, it will be faster and free up some space. You can upgrade but as Richc said the upgrade may be problematic or it will pass on some issues. Opt for clean install, just back up all important files and format HDD.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

You will be able to upgrade perfectly fine.

If you do not feel like going through the hassle of performing a clean install (regardless if its preferred or not) you should have little to no problems with an upgrade. Bear in mind that there IS a chance that you may have some problems.

Its not 100% certain you will though so I suggest trying an upgrade first and if you 'have' to then do a clean install.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Fiery, welcome to Seven Forums!







Here is one of the better options, you can have a Windows 7 clean install and the Vista too.

Have a thorough look at this tutorial at the link below to see a way to create a partition ahead of the current Vista partition, so it will be extremely easy to move your data from Vista to the new Windows 7 partition and when the time comes to remove Vista this method makes that so much easier.

Be sure to post back with any questions you may have and to keep us updated.


Dual Boot : Create Partitions Using PWBD

 

[BarrieNoodles]

Vista Ultimate to Win 7 Pro

I just finished making the move from Vista Ultimate to Win 7 Pro. You have to do a clean install and you have to re-install all the programs and drivers and etc. When you try to register Win 7 Pro you get an error message telling you "This specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installation." Just call MicroSoft @ 1-800-642-7676 and they will walk you through the product registration. It is so simple, I wish I wrote it down, it took about 10 minutes from me calling. Now I have a dual boot system of Vista Ult. and Win 7 Pro.
I installed Win 7 on a new drive, you would have to create a partition for it as it was suggested above.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

You have to do a clean install and you have to re-install all the programs and drivers and etc.

Just a note; When upgrading, you'll only be able to upgrade to the same edition that you had before.

So for example you can upgrade from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate. While you cannot upgrade from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Home Premium.

Just thought I'd post this incase people misunderstand the upgrade process a bit.

 

[gregrocker]

To clarify, you can buy an Upgrade version if you have any retail copy of XP or Vista, or either came on that machine.

However, to do an in-place Upgrade you must have the same version of Vista.

Otherwise you need to do a Custom clean install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[Fiery]

No it's Vista Ultimate OEM and Wndows 7 Ultimate Retail

 

[richc46]

The best way is still the clean install. Do not take a short cut now which forces you to return with problems.

 

[gregrocker]

No it's Vista Ultimate OEM and Wndows 7 Ultimate Retail

If you really don't want to clean reinstall, you can certainly try the in-place Upgrade to see how it works out. You can always do the clean install later.

I am a clean install guy myself, but missing our ailing senior Guru Kari who always speaks up for in-place Upgrades due to his own good experience with them.

Be sure to back up your files either way.

 

[Fiery]

No it's Vista Ultimate OEM and Wndows 7 Ultimate Retail

If you really don't want to clean reinstall, you can certainly try the in-place Upgrade to see how it works out. You can always do the clean install later.

I am a clean install guy myself, but missing our ailing senior Guru Kari who always speaks up for in-place Upgrades due to his own good experience with them.

Be sure to back up your files either way.

Always do backups , and yes I realise a clean install would be better, but I have just finished a clean install of Vista, and I really can't be bothered doing yet another one.

 

[gregrocker]

Sorry that you apparently reinstalled Vista to do the Upgrade, as you can in fact clean install Win7 to formatted HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

However, having a fresh Vista install will make it less likely that much corruption could be imported to Win7 in the Upgrade install.

Be sure to run the Upgrade Advisor to learn of any incompatibilities, which we can help you with: Free Download PC Upgrade Advisor Windows 7 Hardware Programs Issues

 

[Fiery]

Sorry that you apparently reinstalled Vista to do the Upgrade, as you can in fact clean install Win7 to formatted HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

However, having a fresh Vista install will make it less likely that much corruption could be imported to Win7 in the Upgrade install.

Be sure to run the Upgrade Advisor to learn of any incompatibilities, which we can help you with: Free Download PC Upgrade Advisor Windows 7 Hardware Programs Issues

Don't be sorry, at the moment I do not have Win7, as the copy I purchased was counterfeit and is being returned to microflacid, so it was a case of having to reinstall, as the counterfeit copy corrupted everything.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Fiery.





As you said you installed a "counterfeit copy corrupted everything" the odds are pretty good that there's still some issues with the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) still being infected and that has/will get into the new Vista; it would be a good idea to have a look at the info below to be sure that the issue is cleaned up as a format will not do it on its own.

   Information

After you have made backups of everything you care to save and you want to do a real wipe "clean all" to the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) have a look at this tutorial at the link below, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old Windows drivers, giving you the best possible space to install Windows 7 to; it goes hand-in-hand with a clean install.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

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