OEM over OEM

[dixielee]

Hi Guys,

I have an OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit installed and have just purchased (at a great discount price), an OEM version of Windows 7 Professional 64bit.

As I have a lot of software installed, not to mention many important emails and contacts saved, am I able to install the Professional version, over the top of Home Premium, or could I just do an anytime upgrade using my new Professional key.

I would like to install the Professional version, but I don't want to lose any of my installed documents, emails, programs etc.

What do you suggest?

Thanks and Regards.

 

[whs]

This is apparently a full installation disk with which you have to make a fresh install. Save all your files and make an image of your current system (in case you forgot something). We always seem to forget something - LOL. Use this program for imaging - much easier to mount the images than with Windows imaging.

 

[Bill2]

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

 

[whs]

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

The key here is Anytime Upgrade - but he has a full installation disk. How would that work?

 

[dixielee]

This is apparently a full installation disk with which you have to make a fresh install. Save all your files and make an image of your current system (in case you forgot something). We always seem to forget something - LOL. Use this program for imaging - much easier to mount the images than with Windows imaging.

Yes, this is a full OEM installation disk. O'k I can do a fresh install of Windows 7 Pro......that I understand, but if I backup my files and system, won't that also back up my current Windows 7 Home?

Can I just backup (image) just my files etc and not the Operating System and then I can restore my saved stuff, back onto the new install of W7 Pro?

I'm only a novice and I find this a tad confusing!!

 

[whs]

Above I suggested 2 avenues

1. Backup your own data to e.g. an external disk so that this is safe
2. Make an image of your current system to an external disk. That will only come in play in case you forgot to backup something. That image you can open any time and copy whatever you need out of it. Yes, the image will also contain the operating system. But that part you can later ignore. Just open the image like you would open any file or folder (double click) and navigate to your files that are in C:>Users>your name. And as I said, this is just a backup plan in case you miss something later.

 

[Bill2]

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

The key here is Anytime Upgrade - but he has a full installation disk. How would that work?

I dont know what you're talking about WHS. OP has an OEM install disk, ergo he has a full key. A full key CAN do an anytime upgrade.

 

[gregrocker]

An OEM Professional key may work to unlock the Pro features using Anytime Upgrade.

Just type "anytime" into Start Search box then try inserting the key. If it works in 10 minutes you will have the Pro features unlocked.

Save a Win7 backup image so you never have to reinstall, just reimage the HD or replacement from stored image using Win7 DVD Repair console.

 

[whs]

A full OEM key should work perfectly well for an Anytime upgrade.

The key here is Anytime Upgrade - but he has a full installation disk. How would that work?

I dont know what you're talking about WHS. OP has an OEM install disk, ergo he has a full key. A full key CAN do an anytime upgrade.

Sorry I was not clear. I think the way Greg explained it, that could work.

 

[Bill2]

Sorry I was not clear. I think the way Greg explained it, that could work.

Anytime upgrade is a tricky thing though. I wish MS would come out with some kind of white paper on exactly what keys will work. BTW, System builder OEM key such as the one that the OP has is NOT a retail key, so its not transferrable to a second computer.

OP, please note once you use up this key (by actually activating with it) on this computer, its tied to this computer forever.

 

[dixielee]

O'k thanks everyone for your replies, I think I've got it now.

Regards.

 

[theog]

No install files needed.
Only the key is neeed.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/95744-windows-anytime-upgrade-how.html

 

[dixielee]

One last question!

I have backed up my C:\ and have checked the contents of my external drive backup.

There a quite a few folders, which folders contain the operating system and what other folders, if any, don't I have to re install.

Still a bit confusing!!

Thanks and Regards.

 

[theog]

Did you make a System image?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html?ltr=S
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/648-restore-backup-user-system-files.html

 

[gregrocker]

One last question!

I have backed up my C:\ and have checked the contents of my external drive backup.

There a quite a few folders, which folders contain the operating system and what other folders, if any, don't I have to re install.

Still a bit confusing!!

Thanks and Regards.

It's easier, cleaner and uses much less space to simply drag your active User folders (Documents, Favorites, Pictures, etc) to the external, rather than using a backup program which always seems to copy too much.

I would also backup a Win7 Backup Image externally so you have a path back to where you are now if you ever need it.

 

[dixielee]

Well I made a full backup of my C: drive, which contained the Operating system (Home Premium)and every file/folder on my computer. When I open the backup archive, there are many folders including Windows, System etc etc, I just was wondering, which folders I can ignore, when I copy folders back to my new install of Windows 7 Pro.

Regards.

 

[gregrocker]

Attach the external HD, click to open it, browse into backup to find the active user file (example: c:/Users/dixielee) then open each folder Documents, Favorites, Pictures, etc.

On the Organize tab>Select All, then drag the entire folder's file contents to the corresponding folder in your explorer tree at the left. Most should be under Favorites or Libraries, but you may also have to browse into C to find one or more.

What's important during this click and drag operation is to NOT release the left click>drag until you position the cursor directly over the desired folder in explorer. The tree will expand to reveal sub-folders when you move the cursor on it so wait until it finishes to make sure you have the correct folder saying "Copy to My Documents" etc before releasing the left click.

Once you get the hang of it, it become easier to back up your files to external this way too. In fact you can just click and drag your active User folder and get everything that way.

 

[dixielee]

O'k thank you, I'll give it a try.

Regards.