Upgrade Windows 7 Starter to Home Premium

[Irene]

I have a Samsung Netbook which came with Windows 7 Starter and I am finding that I miss the extras of Home Premium Retail which installed on my Desktop PC. I have the Home Premium installation disk which I used, but as far as I am aware it is a single use licence.

The Anytime Upgrade is available on the Samsung, but at a cost of £70 from M$.
Is anyone aware of a more cost effective (legitimate) method?

Having Googled for it, I come up with this:
Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade, Starter to Home Premium (Licence only): Amazon.co.uk: Software.
Anyone know of anywhere better?

 

[Bill2]

Yes, buy the home premium family family pack- you'll spend more initially but you'll get 3 retail licenses @ about $50 each.

If you do decide to do that, save an image of your starter install first.

 

[gregrocker]

Amazon has HP Upgrade Family 3-pack for $99 - three licenses for less than the price of one.

You won't even need to use the DVD, just type Anytime into Start Search box and insert key.

As Bill2 wisely advises, save a Win7 backup image of Starter in case you want to put the native OS back on the machine to sell or service it, or need to start over. Then save an image of Home Premium once it's unlocked.

 

[Irene]

Yes, buy the home premium family family pack- you'll spend more initially but you'll get 3 retail licenses @ about $50 each.

If you do decide to do that, save an image of your starter install first.

Amazon has HP Upgrade Family 3-pack for $99 - three licenses for less than the price of one.

You won't even need to use the DVD, just type Anytime into Start Search box and insert key.

As Bill2 wisely advises, save a Win7 backup image of Starter in case you want to put the native OS back on the machine to sell or service it, or need to start over. Then save an image of Home Premium once it's unlocked.

Bill2, gregrocker, many thanks for your advice. It's most appreciated.

The family 3-licence pack would in deed be useful if I didn't already have the Retail Home Premium already installed on my Desktop. It really is only the Netbook which I wish to upgrade.

Bill2, I will certainly take your very sound advice about taking an image of its' current state.

 

[gregrocker]

The point is that you can buy three licenses which are good for life for less than the price of one.

As long as you keep the key to yourself, you can sell, give or loan a copy to friend or family.

If you are a student (or have one there) they can get them for much lower cost via Digital River.

 

[Irene]

Good point gregrocker, I hadn't thought of it that way.

 

[RGDave]

Hi Irene...I must be near you!

f.w.i.w. I'd think long and hard about using an upgrade. If I was in your position, I'd go the whole hog and consider buying a full version. My personal preference (I never upgrade, just in case of disaster) unless you are confident of backing up the complete O.S. after the upgrade.

Is the netbook good enough to run the full monty?

 

[gregrocker]

You can clean install an Upgrade version. Doing an in-place Upgrade is only one option and not the preferred one around here since it is a corruption path from Vista.

To qualify for Upgrade version you only need to have XP or Vista which came on the machine, or a retail copy of XP or Vista which you have on hand, none of which need to be installed.

If the qualifying OS is not on the HD, leave the Product Key blank during install then afterward do one of the workarounds given here to activate Upgrade version key on an empty or wiped HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[Irene]

Hi Irene...I must be near you!

f.w.i.w. I'd think long and hard about using an upgrade. If I was in your position, I'd go the whole hog and consider buying a full version. My personal preference (I never upgrade, just in case of disaster) unless you are confident of backing up the complete O.S. after the upgrade.

Is the netbook good enough to run the full monty?

Hi RGDave, nice to meet you! I live in the Midlands - Staffordshire

I plan to backup the entire internal HD to an external HD before I start. I also used the advisor:
Free Download PC Upgrade Advisor Windows 7 Hardware Programs Issues

The model is a Samsung N220 Plus. I have increased the RAM, so I am as sure as possible that all will be well.

Some useful information here for anyone who is considering using Anytime Upgrade:
Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade PC Easily Add More Features Keep Files
- scroll down past the pricing to "Here are answers to some common questions about Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade."
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[RGDave]

and Hello from over the border - Shropshire!

I guess as you know what you're doing, an upgrade will be fine. If you've added some RAM and know how to back up properly, you are in business.

Good luck with the project.

Dave

 

[Irene]

and Hello from over the border - Shropshire!

I guess as you know what you're doing, an upgrade will be fine. If you've added some RAM and know how to back up properly, you are in business.

Good luck with the project.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I'll post back here when I've done it - probably later in the week.

 

[theog]

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade 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

Takes 10 mins.

Note for SP1 added to tutorial.

 

[Irene]

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade 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

Takes 10 mins.

Note for SP1 added to tutorial.

Many thanks for that, theog.
I had wondered about the SP1 upgrade - which I have already successfully completed.

 

[Irene]

Update

I first connected an external hard drive by the USB connection in the Netbook and created a system image onto the EHD.

Next I created a system restore point.

Then I proceeded with the Anytime Upgrade from Windows 7 Starter to Home Premium, following the tutorial in the link posted above by theog.

Since I had already downloaded and installed the SP1 prior to the upgrade decision, I was very grateful for the additional information at the end of the tutorial...
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NOTE: When using Anytime Upgrade with SP1 installed, you may receive a message.
Upgrade was not successful.



Close Window.

Manually RESTART your PC, & Upgrade will continue.

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A manual RESTART was required and the upgrade continued as promised.

All back to normal now. No adverse reactions whatsoever.

 

[Bill2]

NOW, save an image of the new, upgraded install- that way you wont have to bother with AUing every time something goes wrong.

 

[Irene]

NOW, save an image of the new, upgraded install- that way you wont have to bother with AUing every time something goes wrong.

Now why didn't I think of that!

Thanks Bill2 - I would +rep you again, if I could.

 

[theog]

You are welcome, Irene.