Windows 7 upgrade

Hi, I, Old Lars. New to the forum and have a really simple question.

I have a Dell XPS 8300 running Windows 7 Home 64 bit and would like to upgrade either to 7 Pro or ultimate. The owner of my local independent computer store says I must back up all my files and do a "clean" install (essentially wiping the HD and install the new OS from scratch. I was under the impression that I could just purchase an upgrade CD (or even download the upgrade), install it and be done. Is my local PC guy BS'ing me?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Lars, he's having you on.

I recently upgraded from Professional to Ultimate by purchasing a product key from Microsoft.

Just choose Windows Anytime Upgrade, enter the Product Key you paid for, let Windows validate the key and wait for the upgrade to complete. If you have the latest updates installed, it'll only take a few minutes.

Activate on completion and you'll be good to go. Your setup is unchanged and it's cheaper than buying a new operating system.

You can upgrade from Home Premium to Professional using this method, but if you want to go from Home Premium to Ultimate it may indeed have to be a clean install.

seavixen32 said:

You can upgrade from Home Premium to Professional using this method, but if you want to go from Home Premium to Ultimate it may indeed have to be a clean install.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...79(WS.10).aspx

An Anytime Upgrade from Home Premium to either Profesional or Ultimate is supported.

In the US, the Microsoft Store sells the Anytime Upgrade key to take Home Premium to Ultimate for $139.95.

Microsoft Store Online - Windows Anytime Upgrade: Windows 7 Home Premium to Ultimate - Buy from Microsoft Store