Win. 7 Home Prem. (64) UPGRADE to Win. 7 Prof. (64)?

[JohnnyGlock]

Hi guys, I emailed Microsoft support this question and got a useless answer back; they just sent me a link to download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which basically told me what I already knew (that my system is capable of running Windows 7).

So I called them just now and the so-called "tech support" person wasn't much of a help either, she didn't seem too bright and didn't know much about the whole upgrade process, giving me conflicting information. So, I hope someone on here can answer this for me.

I recently bought a new laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Then I found out that Home Premium does not have "XP Mode" capability, so I used the Student Discount offer to buy Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (full version not upgrade) from Microsoft's website for $29.99 (what a bargain!). Can anyone tell me FOR SURE, whether I can do just an upgrade (where all my manufacturer's pre-installed applications, drivers, and all my currently installed applications and settings are preserved) or if I MUST do a clean install (reinstalling all of these applications, etc.)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jonathan_King]

Do an Anytime Upgrade with your key. Worked beautifully for me. I was in the exact same situation as you.
Almost forgot: Welcome to the Forums!

 

[JohnnyGlock]

Hey thank you, I finally got a straight answer!

 

[Jonathan_King]

NP, glad I could help.

 

[wallyinnc]

Can you do it with the full version? I thought the Anytime Upgrade was a different version (which might just be a different key)

I would appreciate to know if it works for Johnny, I am trying to compile scenarios for upgrading (but I have only considered XP and Vista -> Win7 so far)

 

[Jonathan_King]

Can you do it with the full version? I thought the Anytime Upgrade was a different version (which might just be a different key)

I would appreciate to know if it works for Johnny, I am trying to compile scenarios for upgrading (but I have only considered XP and Vista -> Win7 so far)

Apparently it's the same key. At least mine was.

 

[JohnnyGlock]

I haven't been able to actually do the upgrade yet, because I'm in the middle of final examinations right now. But I did receive confirmation from Microsoft that the key would work doing the "Anytime Upgrade."

Wally, I thought the same thing as you. Hope this helps.

 

[gregrocker]

Conflicting reports on retail keys working for Anytime.

We had someone the other day who adapted the popular Unawave "downgrade" workaround (changes Win7 Ultimate to Premium or Pro) to in-place upgrade Win7 Starter to Pro. Worked perfectly.

UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional

 

[Jonathan_King]

Conflicting reports on retail keys working for Anytime.

We had someone the other day who adapted the popular Unawave "downgrade" workaround (changes Win7 Ultimate to Premium or Pro) to in-place upgrade Win7 Starter to Pro. Worked perfectly.

UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional

What are the conflicting reports?