Activation Question...

I am currently using a non-activated version of Windows 7 Ultimate, I was wondering if I bought Professional or Home Premium, could i install this over the top and keep all my apps/files? or would i have to buy Ultimate....?

Thanks, Jordan

okay, thanks for the quick reply! :)

Bigzedy said:

I am currently using a non-activated version of Windows 7 Ultimate, I was wondering if I bought Professional or Home Premium, could i install this over the top and keep all my apps/files? or would i have to buy Ultimate....?

Thanks, Jordan

It's not officially supported, but there are ways to hack it:

Hack to In-Place “Downgrade” from Windows 7 Ultimate or Professional to Less Premium Editions « My Digital Life

(Basically, it's a Registry change that fools the installer into allowing an upgrade installation of a lesser version over Ultimate.)

This is not guaranteed to produce a stable installation.

Thanks bobkn, I'll look into that :)

The workaround to change between versions has been used countless times since Win7 release without a single reported case of it being any less successful than any other Repair Install. The fact that it changes the edition seems to have no effect whatsoever.

gregrocker said:

The workaround to change between versions has been used countless times since Win7 release without a single reported case of it being any less successful than any other Repair Install. The fact that it changes the edition seems to have no effect whatsoever.

That's good to know. I neglected to mention that I'd never tried it.