Windows 7 Upgrade Option Question

[drfsupercenter]

Alright, someone over at Digital-Digest recommended me to this forum.

So, I've got a question or two. I have a laptop that came with Windows Vista Home Premium, with the free Windows 7 upgrade.

However, I noticed that Vista Home Premium upgrades to Windows 7 Home Premium... but I want Windows 7 Professional. Also, I have only the 32-bit (it looks like they crippled my OEM disc, as it doesn't even give me a 64-bit option)... so would the upgrade disc have 32-bit only?

How would you guys suggest going about getting Windows 7 Professional? Should I use Anytime Upgrade to get myself Vista Ultimate so it upgrades to 7 Ultimate?
Or should I just get the upgrade as-is and hope IT has some sort of upgrade option?
Additionally... do you know if I could get a pro-rated upgrade from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional?

And, does anybody know if the upgrade disc I'll get will have the 64-bit? Or would I get a crippled 32-bit only version? Since I have 4GB of RAM in this laptop, I really want the 64-bit version of Windows 7.

Or do you guys just think I should sign up for the MSDNAA site for the $19 student fee (I'll be a student at the University of Michigan in about two weeks) and get Professional that way? I guess I'd just not rather waste the upgrade option I have, it's the whole reason I paid for Vista on my laptop and not just XP.

 

[Tews]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums!!

Personally, if your school already has an MSDNAA account, thats the way I would go.... you can get the 64bit pro/ultimate version plus access to another 100 or so titles. There is a thread about this in the News section...
I hope this answers your question... Let us know if we can further help!!

Tom

 

[drfsupercenter]

Nah, U of M doesn't give their students a MSDNAA account... it's too big!

But I can make my own for $19 through that other site (yes, I did see the thread, that's where I got the idea).

Does the serial I'd get through MSDNAA last forever though? Or would it expire once I graduate/I don't pay the $19 to renew my account?

 

[Tews]

No, the key will not expire, and I dont think thats a monthly fee, but Im not positive.. you might want to post this question in that thread, as a lot of members are going that route..

Tom

 

[drfsupercenter]

Not a monthly fee, but a yearly fee, right?

Anyway, do you know anything about the Windows 7 Upgrade Program? Mainly like if I'd get the 64-bit as well as the 32-bit, or just the 32-bit?

 

[Tews]

As I understand it, you will get both versions, 1 key will activate both, but you can only have one activated at a time.. as for the 19.00 fee, you will need to check with someone in the other thread ...

 

[drfsupercenter]

No no, I mean the Windows 7 Upgrade Option through Microsoft.

You know, the one that's for people who bought Vista within certain dates? My Vista is 32-bit ONLY, I think the manufacturer (MSI) gave me some crippled version or something, as the 64-bit is nowhere to be found, and the disc itself says "contains 32-bit software only."
And inside the disc's case, there's a pamphlet with a key to be used on the Windows 7 upgrade... and that says 32-bit as well.

 

[masterB]

Alright, someone over at Digital-Digest recommended me to this forum.

That's a good recommendation.

Check out this thread:
http://www.sevenforums.com/news/21119-windows-7-pro-19-students.html

You can get Pro version(no Ultimate) x64 and x86.

The fee is $19/year and you don't have to renew next year if you don't want to. The key is yours forever.

 

[drfsupercenter]

I've seen that thread already. And I don't really even care about Ultimate... the multi-language thing is useless to me, as I only speak English. And for BitLocker, I disable all admin passwords as-is so I can't see any value to it.

Either way, are you guys all saying I should just join MSDNAA and forget my "free" upgrade?

 

[chuckr]

I've seen that thread already. And I don't really even care about Ultimate... the multi-language thing is useless to me, as I only speak English. And for BitLocker, I disable all admin passwords as-is so I can't see any value to it.

Either way, are you guys all saying I should just join MSDNAA and forget my "free" upgrade?

If I were a professional student with access to all, for $19, I would personally think "Ultimate". JMHO.
Specifically for the .vhd capabilities.
You just might want or need the extra capabilities a year or 2 down the road.

What's your major ?

 

[drfsupercenter]

What's a .vhd?

And the only have Professional on MSDNAA... which is why I'm not sweating it, I'm fine with that one, I just wanted the Windows XP mode.

I'm majoring in engineering, currently undecided on the specific field.