Solved Upgrade from Home to Pro

[7mustang4]

My desktop OS is Win 7 Pro 32-bit installed from a retail disk. I just purchased a laptop with reinstalled Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit. I want to install the Pro version to the laptop from the retail disks which has disks for both 32 & 64 bit versions. How can I make the upgrade? Does it make any difference if I use 32 or 64 bit for the upgrade? Note: the laptop does not have a cd drive and I will need to purchase an external drive. Could this pose an installation problem?

 

[strollin]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to upgrade to Pro? Unless you need the ability to access a domain the upgrade really isn't worthwhile.

 

[gregrocker]

Type Anytime Upgrade in Start Search box, input the Product Key, in minutes it will unlock the extra features in Pro. Save a Win7 backup image to use in place of reinstalls: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

If you want to change bit-version, you'll have to boot the installer to clean reinstall. Without a DVD drive you'll need to use another machine to extract the DVD ISO using ImgBurn, then write it to flash stick using Universal USB Installer, boot using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key, under USB, Removable and HD's.

 

[AddRAM]

If you don`t have a key you will not be able to activate it. You have already used your key on the desktop. Unless you have a darn good reason, it makes no sense to install Pro over HP. Compare the 2 versions and see if you need the few extra features.

 

[theog]

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

 

[7mustang4]

Thanks to all who responded.

 

[7mustang4]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to upgrade to Pro? Unless you need the ability to access a domain the upgrade really isn't worthwhile.

Main reason - I found Administrative Tools were disabled! I did not have this problem with Pro version. Makes me wonder what else Microsoft has disabled. Microsoft's pension for disabling functions and all their "permission" requirements really aggravate me!

 

[strollin]

I'm running Win 7 HP on this computer and Admin tools are not disabled, they are not obviously available, but aren't disabled. See this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8891-administrative-tools-add-remove-start-menu.html

If yours are truly disabled, perhaps the PC mfr "customized" Win 7 for you but don't blame MS.

The 2 major advantages of Pro over HP are the ability to login to a Domain and with Pro you can download XP mode from MS.