Hi, Left it a bit late, but planning on updating Windows Vista Home Basic to WIndows 7....first things first, I have checked that my computer is ''up to it''......it is......I plan to borrow an installation disc from a friend, what I need to know, is will the product code or key with the disc work ?......or does the upgrade work by using the old Vista product code ?......any help with this installation appreciated.......Del.
Are you upgrading from Vista with a upgrade disc ?
Or are you doing a clean install of Windows 7 ?
If your friend has already used the key then you can`t use it.
Answering the above questions will help to determine your options.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
I was going to do a clean install, I did wonder about using the disc more than once......so only option then is to buy my own copy of Windows 7 ?......it is still available and reasonably priced......what has confused me is that I upgraded from 8.1 to Windows 10 for free on my main computer......obviously this is not possible upgrading to 7 from Vista.
10 is free if you have Windows 7 SP1 installed or 8.1 Not Vista
The only thing you`ll find today is Windows 7 OEM (which is fine)
You can use your friends disc all you want, but you need a key of that particular version to activate it.
Thanks for that.....thought as much....I think a purchase is in order.
O.k, So are these ''free'' activation keys that I see on various sites, from decommissioned machines, any good ?.....and will they actually work ?.......or is there really no free way to upgrade to Windows 7 ?......I don't mind paying to upgrade, just exploring all the options.......Del.
There is no free way to upgrade, and I would not buy a key from some website.
You have to find a good retailer in your area.
Examples:
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit - Newegg.com
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com
Thanks for that, I can get Windows 7 installation disc, OEM for 32bit with product key, for £24:99 at Amazon.......I think that is the way forward.......my ''friend'' still says that he can install Windows 7, and get it working using his disc........how could he do that without activation key ?........Del.
I would expect to pay nearer to $150 or UK equivalent (£150), than the price you are quoting, there are a lot of fakes on the net Even at normally reliable sites such as amazon - try to obtain a shrink wrapped cased product where the actual Key is not visible before opening, (visible keys and opened packaging normally indicate that the key has already been used), that the the only way to be sure - we have had a few members caught by scammers so best be very careful, make sure you get a seller on Amazon that Amazon guarantees, so if the package is re-used or even fake you only lose time
As for your friend's suggestion that you use his disk, it is likely to be a pirate disk and could be complete with extras, the sort that steals your passwords and empty your bank accounts.
of course the use of a pirate copy of software is nothing short of plain theft, so those that do this deserve everything bad that happens to them
O.k, Thanks for that, I guess that I need to research this a bit more, I don't want to end up with a pirate copy or anything......Del.
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