Enterprise Upgrade version offered through work. Installation Question

[dmcrose]

I have Win7 HP x64 on my computer and I just found out that an upgrade download version of Enterprise is offered free through my job. I have read through threads dating back to early 2012 that say that upgrading from HP to Enterprise is not possible because Enterprise has a different license key. I have a few questions.

1) Is this upgrade version of Enterprise meant to be an upgrade from XP Enterprise, or is there now a way to upgrade from an existing w7 version?

2) When upgrade version are offered to employees through a job like this, are employees required to get a key from the software admins, and does this also apply to downloaded version? There was no mention of a key on the download page.

3) Can a w7 HP to Enterprise upgrade exist or would I have to do a clean install of the Enterprise using the upgrade image/disk?

Thanks.

 

[theog]

As you are using Company software have a word with the Company IT Administrator.

 

[dmcrose]

Okay. I was hoping to do this over the break. I work for a university, and the place is shut down for the holidays, but I will wait until they are back.

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

What benefit does Enterprise - which can only be activated with Volume License Key used by business and organizations - offer that your licensed Home Premium version doesn't?

That should be what guides you in making such a move, along with consulting your IT Admin about how it would be activated.

 

[dmcrose]

That is a good question. Maybe nothing, but I am about to start working on changing careers and really want to go into IT/computer science. Obviously, I have a lot to learn about IT or I could answer that question. lol I am getting ready to take some courses and thought it might be a good idea to set up my computers with the best os/software possible within my meager budget. Will HP be sufficient or is this a good reason to upgrade to Enterprise, in your opinion?

Thanks.

 

[gregrocker]

There's nothing extra in Enterprise other than the same features in Professional, I believe.

So make an informed decision based on this chart: Compare Windows 7 Editions - Windows 7 Forums

Otherwise all versions are the same exact OS except that Enterprise has the VLK activation which must be administered at will by your IT Pro, so I'd stick with your own licensed and activated version unless something very compelling is offered in Enterprise that you want. If so, you could even add it using Anytime Upgrade easier.

 

[dmcrose]

I don't have professional. I have Home Premium, but your advice is great. I can just wait until I learn more about these versions and this link is where I can start.

Another thing that I noticed on the university download page is that if the university decides to terminate its license agreement on any of the os that it makes available to faculty, staff and students, then the os will be rendered illegal, I think. Right now, the IT admin is testing w8, so I am not sure how long the school will carry that agreement once or if they decide to upgrade to 8. I will get a free copy of 8, though and I can load it into a vm to test it for myself.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[gregrocker]

I didn't mean to say you have Professional as I know you have Premium which I referenced. My point is that I believe Enterprise is comparable to Professional for purposes of comparison using the chart. Others may correct this.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[dmcrose]

Oh, sorry about that.

I just checked the campus computer store and they have the w7 Ultimate upgrade for under $20. I might look into that instead because I would have a private licensed copy. I can't see a difference between it and the Enterprise in that chart of Brink's except for the type of license.

I can test drive w8 in a vm for free once IT makes it available, and buy it cheaply as well if I like it.

Thanks, and I will keep you posted.

 

[gregrocker]

If the extra features in Ultimate make it worth it then I would insert the Upgrade key using Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to - Windows 7 Forums to unlock them in minutes.

 

[dmcrose]

I think it is worth it for $20 and I should do it soon because they won't offer it forever. I might regret it if I don't once I start learning the difference. lol!

And that anytime upgrade is sweet! Seems almost too easy. So I buy the upgrade just for the key? It says that all of my stuff will be preserved, but I back up my system and files regularly. I'll do that before I do the upgrade just in case.

Thanks!

 

[dmcrose]

Question: Is the anytime upgrade key different from a product license key?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, it offers a price break for upgrading to a higher version within Win7. But you get no disk so if you need to reinstall you must reinstall the originally licensed version, then Anytime Upgrade again. However this can be avoided by saving a Win7 backup image of completed Anytime Upgrade.

If what your bookstore is offering is a retail full or upgrade version of Ultimate, those keys can also be inserted into the lower version to easily unlock the few extra features in minutes without having to reinstall, although you'll have a disk to do a reinstall and can migrate retail Win7 at any time you wish.

 

[dmcrose]

The university does sell retail versions at a significantly reduced price for students, faculty and staff, so it will be much cheaper to buy the upgrade version from there.

I'll go ahead and get it, and once I get it installed, I will definitely make a backup image regardless.

Thanks so much for the advice! I wish I could give you more karma, Greg.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks, I need all I can get. And you're most welcome.

Keep us posted how it goes.