OEM over OEM

dixielee · 24 Jan 2011

Hi Guys,

I have an OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit installed and have just purchased (at a great discount price), an OEM version of Windows 7 Professional 64bit.

As I have a lot of software installed, not to mention many important emails and contacts saved, am I able to install the Professional version, over the top of Home Premium, or could I just do an anytime upgrade using my new Professional key.

I would like to install the Professional version, but I don't want to lose any of my installed documents, emails, programs etc.

What do you suggest?

Thanks and Regards.

whs · 24 Jan 2011

This is apparently a full installation disk with which you have to make a fresh install. Save all your files and make an image of your current system (in case you forgot something). We always seem to forget something - LOL. Use this program for imaging - much easier to mount the images than with Windows imaging.

Bill2 · 24 Jan 2011

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

whs · 24 Jan 2011

Bill2 said:

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

The key here is Anytime Upgrade - but he has a full installation disk. How would that work?

dixielee · 24 Jan 2011

whs said:

This is apparently a full installation disk with which you have to make a fresh install. Save all your files and make an image of your current system (in case you forgot something). We always seem to forget something - LOL. Use this program for imaging - much easier to mount the images than with Windows imaging.

Yes, this is a full OEM installation disk. O'k I can do a fresh install of Windows 7 Pro......that I understand, but if I backup my files and system, won't that also back up my current Windows 7 Home?

Can I just backup (image) just my files etc and not the Operating System and then I can restore my saved stuff, back onto the new install of W7 Pro?

I'm only a novice and I find this a tad confusing!!

whs · 24 Jan 2011

Above I suggested 2 avenues

1. Backup your own data to e.g. an external disk so that this is safe
2. Make an image of your current system to an external disk. That will only come in play in case you forgot to backup something. That image you can open any time and copy whatever you need out of it. Yes, the image will also contain the operating system. But that part you can later ignore. Just open the image like you would open any file or folder (double click) and navigate to your files that are in C:>Users>your name. And as I said, this is just a backup plan in case you miss something later.

Bill2 · 25 Jan 2011

whs said:

Bill2 said:

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

The key here is Anytime Upgrade - but he has a full installation disk. How would that work?

I dont know what you're talking about WHS. OP has an OEM install disk, ergo he has a full key. A full key CAN do an anytime upgrade.

gregrocker · 25 Jan 2011

An OEM Professional key may work to unlock the Pro features using Anytime Upgrade.

Just type "anytime" into Start Search box then try inserting the key. If it works in 10 minutes you will have the Pro features unlocked.

Save a Win7 backup image so you never have to reinstall, just reimage the HD or replacement from stored image using Win7 DVD Repair console.

whs · 25 Jan 2011

Bill2 said:

whs said:

Bill2 said:

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

The key here is Anytime Upgrade - but he has a full installation disk. How would that work?

I dont know what you're talking about WHS. OP has an OEM install disk, ergo he has a full key. A full key CAN do an anytime upgrade.

Sorry I was not clear. I think the way Greg explained it, that could work.

Bill2 · 25 Jan 2011

Sorry I was not clear. I think the way Greg explained it, that could work.

Anytime upgrade is a tricky thing though. I wish MS would come out with some kind of white paper on exactly what keys will work. BTW, System builder OEM key such as the one that the OP has is NOT a retail key, so its not transferrable to a second computer.

OP, please note once you use up this key (by actually activating with it) on this computer, its tied to this computer forever.