New Info release from MS on UPGRADE

[YupYup]

I just read in another thread that a validated install of XP, Vista or W7 Beta will qualify you for a clean install from the upgrade disc, but once you've installed the final version, you can't do a clean install again with the upgrade disc - the final version of W7 isn't acceptable. That makes no sense but that's what is being said. I find that hard to believe.

This is not "Mission Impossible" the disc is not destroyed upon implementation, you can install as many times as you like.

 

[dmb219]

This is the info I'm referring to, I know the disc won't self-destruct.


Now here's the bigger catch: While you won't need to downgrade from Windows 7 RC to Vista or XP in order to install Windows 7 final the first, time, you will need to install one of those operating systems and activate it first if you want to do a clean install in the future. Because the Windows 7 upgrade disc will only work with an activated version of Windows. That means you'll need an activated version of Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 RC to start with or the disc will be useless.

 

[fakeasdf]

Can do Upgrade installation (No Need to Reinstall Programs etc)
Windows Vista

Can Buy Upgrade (Must clean install, reinstall programs etc)
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista (see above as well)
Windows 7 RC (Activated*)


Some people state that you must upgrade from ultimate to ultimate, home premium to home premium etc. This would imply that you would need to upgrade RC to Windows 7 Ultimate. I'm not sure if I believe this, seeing as you can buy the 7 ultimate upgrade for 2000, xp, Vista Ultimate all at the same price... I personally think you can upgrade any version of Windows 7 from any of those versions as long as they are genuine. If someone has some better reliable information lemme know and I'll change this so I don't have it etched down for the rest of eternity incorrectly...

*You can only activate Windows 7 RC until June 2010, If you choose to upgrade past this date you will need to use a different source such as Windows 2000, XP, or Vista when using your upgrade edition (whether for upgrading or clean installing)...

 

[YupYup]

Can do Upgrade installation (No Need to Reinstall Programs etc)
Windows Vista

Can Buy Upgrade (Must clean install, reinstall programs etc)
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista (see above as well)
Windows 7 RC (Activated*)


Some people state that you must upgrade from ultimate to ultimate, home premium to home premium etc. This would imply that you would need to upgrade RC to Windows 7 Ultimate. I'm not sure if I believe this, seeing as you can buy the 7 ultimate upgrade for 2000, xp, Vista Ultimate all at the same price... I personally think you can upgrade any version of Windows 7 from any of those versions as long as they are genuine. If someone has some better reliable information lemme know and I'll change this so I don't have it etched down for the rest of eternity incorrectly...

*You can only activate Windows 7 RC until June 2010, If you choose to upgrade past this date you will need to use a different source such as Windows 2000, XP, or Vista when using your upgrade edition (whether for upgrading or clean installing)...

well start correcting then. Upgrading to Windows 7: what XP and Vista users need to know - Ars Technica

 

[OEM]

The fact that you can use a Upgrade version on top of Seven RC can cause headaches down the road. Its weird that they would allow that. After Seven RC goes Dead, what ya do if you need to reinstall and you can't activate RC to show as a pre-owned OS?

 

[danabc2]

I've had conflicting sources and I want to know whats the truth.

I have Windows 7 RC on my computer, its the only OS to ever be on the computer. Is it possible to upgrade to the final version of Windows 7 by using the Windows 7 upgrade?

 

[harpua]

The fact that you can use a Upgrade version on top of Seven RC can cause headaches down the road. Its weird that they would allow that. After Seven RC goes Dead, what ya do if you need to reinstall and you can't activate RC to show as a pre-owned OS?

I'm not convinced having an activated qualifying OS installed on the drive is actually going to be required. But assuming it is, after 7RC "goes dead," one would presumably already have a copy of 7 RTM already installed and activated. I would expect one could simply upgrade again from that using the upgrade media and key, if there was a need to do a clean install or repair install.

One problem would be if the hard drive the activated version of 7 RTM was on crashed and was unbootable. The solution would be to always maintain a back up, either a cloned drive or an image that could be restored onto a new drive (which is, of course, something one should be doing anyway).

 

[dmb219]

After 7RC "goes dead" you would presumably already have a copy of 7 RTM already installed and activated. I would expect one could simply upgrade again from that using the upgrade media and key, if there was a need to do a clean install or repair install.

I think you're right, that certainly makes sense. Once Windows 7 is installed and activated there surely won't be a need for a previous OS to validate unless maybe you format the drive (before starting the installation).

 

[fakeasdf]

well start correcting then. Upgrading to Windows 7: what XP and Vista users need to know - Ars Technica

I wish they would give a Microsoft source, they appear to be quoting their rumor they had back in November.... Not that I don't believe it...

• Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium
• Windows Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional
• Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate

 

[quickquestion]

Yes.

I'll believe you, even though everyone is saying something different.

 

[fakeasdf]

Can do Upgrade installation (No Need to Reinstall Programs etc)
Windows Vista Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows Vista Business -> Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate

Can Buy (Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate) Upgrade (Must clean install, reinstall programs etc)
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista (see above)
Windows 7 RC (Activated*) -> Windows 7 Ultimate

How about that? If that's right I'll just delete my other post... It would be cheaper to buy an old Windows 2000 disc off ebay (10 - 20 dollars) and a Windows 7 upgrade than to buy any of the Windows 7 full versions...

 

[Jacee]

This is not "Mission Impossible".

:roflmao: Too funny!

 

[YupYup]

Can do Upgrade installation (No Need to Reinstall Programs etc)
Windows Vista Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows Vista Business -> Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate

Can Buy (Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate) Upgrade (Must clean install, reinstall programs etc)
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Vista (see above)
Windows 7 RC (Activated*) -> Windows 7 Ultimate

How about that? If that's right I'll just delete my other post... It would be cheaper to buy an old Windows 2000 disc off ebay and a Windows 7 upgrade than to buy any of the Windows 7 versions...

Other than the windows 7 RC part it is correct but there are other situations not covered.

:roflmao: Too funny!

Good to see someone has a sense of humor.

 

[fakeasdf]

Other than the windows 7 RC part it is correct but there are other situations not covered.

What other situations? So this RC thing is all a bunch of BS that's flooding the forums?

 

[YupYup]

What other situations? So this RC thing is all a bunch of BS that's flooding the forums?

Well your missing other versions of vista and depending on which version of vista it can be upgraded to more than one version of windows 7. And limitations such as.

Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported.
Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported.
Cross-build type in-place upgrades (for example, fre to chk) are not supported.
Cross-media type in-place upgrades (for example, Staged to Unstaged or Unstaged to Staged) are not supported.

And of course you must meet the system requirements.

which part are you referring to as BS?

 

[Ohgami]

Springboarding off what YupYup Said the Upgrade matrix for Vista> 7 should be:

Can do Upgrade installation (No Need to Reinstall Programs etc)
Windows Vista Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate
Windows Vista Business -> Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate
Windows Vista Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate ONLY

(This is Purchase versions only though as Enterprise, Starter and Home Basic presents a different can of worms)

 

[Lordbob75]

Well, no matter what the real answer is, I will STILL be doing a clean install. That is just me, the rest of you can do whatever.

~Lordbob

 

[fakeasdf]

Well your missing other versions of vista and depending on which version of vista it can be upgraded to more than one version of windows 7. And limitations such as.

Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported.
Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported.
Cross-build type in-place upgrades (for example, fre to chk) are not supported.
Cross-media type in-place upgrades (for example, Staged to Unstaged or Unstaged to Staged) are not supported.

And of course you must meet the system requirements.

which part are you referring to as BS?

Yes, I read about the languages and stuff like that, and ignored the upgrading form x86 and x64 since they are both included, but that is a good point. And I doubt anyone has any checked versions that is doing upgrades, and most people don't even know the difference is between the checked and free... I was referring the the RC upgrade paths. Seeing as they only released keys for Ultimate you couldn't activate a home premium RC. Is there some other information about upgrading from RC?

@Ohgami Where did you see that information? The site YupYup showed me did not show those options..

 

[YupYup]

Springboarding off what YupYup Said the Upgrade matrix for Vista> 7 should be:

Can do Upgrade installation (No Need to Reinstall Programs etc)
Windows Vista Home Premium -> Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate
Windows Vista Business -> Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate
Windows Vista Ultimate -> Windows 7 Ultimate ONLY

Except for some reason according to the test matrix vista home premium -> Professional in-place upgrade is not supported. Which i find very hard to swallow.

 

[Ohgami]

Except for some reason according to the test matrix vista home premium -> Professional in-place upgrade is not supported. Which i find very hard to swallow.

Prolly a Glitch or something they are working on. But I remember them saying that upgrades were going to be like or higher versions. (i.e. No downgrading at all).

@Fakeasdf I remember them mentioning the upgrade paths when the announced the versions. (along with Business going back to Professional) I'll see what I can do to scrounge up a link .