Windows 7 Upgrade Paths - FAQ

[jasin]

Clean install of windows7 is always best because you wont have any left over junk or drivers installed on top of drivers which can create conflicts.

 

[wallyinnc]

Back in the day you could buy the upgrade version of windows and install it like a full OS. A lot of people did that to save some extra money.

That is correct Jasin, it is technically possible to do that (I think it still is). But if you don't have a XP or Vista license, it is a violation of the EULA

 

[carioca]

Hi,

the table shown lists an in-place installation of Win7 Ultimate over Vista 7 Ultimate is permissible - I tried just that some days ago and was advised that I needed to do a clean installation (by the setup program on the DVD started from within Vista...

Would save me a lot of hassles if I COULD get this upgrade to work (everything legit on the PC/DVD). Pls advise.

 

[wallyinnc]

Hi,

the table shown lists an in-place installation of Win7 Ultimate over Vista 7 Ultimate is permissible - I tried just that some days ago and was advised that I needed to do a clean installation (by the setup program on the DVD started from within Vista...

Would save me a lot of hassles if I COULD get this upgrade to work (everything legit on the PC/DVD). Pls advise.

Hi Carioca (nascido no Rio de Janeiro?)

sorry for such a long delay, maybe you solved it already.

but you are right, there is no reason for it not accepting to do an upgrade.

What was exactly the set up program message?

 

[carioca]

(everything legit on the PC/DVD). Pls advise.

Hi Carioca (nascido no Rio de Janeiro?)

sorry for such a long delay, maybe you solved it already.


but you are right, there is no reason for it not accepting to do an upgrade.

What was exactly the set up program message?

Nao, somente vivi ai nos anos 50...

no worries about the upgrade - eventually I did the fresh install. BTW, my Win7 was the N version, perhaps that caused the hassles?

Anyway, I'm all set now. Thanks for your msg!

Cheers,

LMH

 

[Kari]

Carioca, I hope you don't mind me asking but do you already know how to get Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center and other missing media components to that N edition of Windows of yours?

If not, read this: http://www.sevenforums.com/media-center/87724-no-media-center.html#post757468.

Kari

 

[carioca]

Thanks Kari!

I chose this edition specifically as it runs a a computer dedicated to online financial business - there are no 'distracting' and/or potentially 'disruptive' programs on that machine, not even e-mail!

But thank you for your kind attention to detail, and the link you provided...

Rgds,

LMH (ex-European now living in Oz)

 

[BaCkTraCk R 1]

great great !!!

 

[wallyinnc]

Thanks Backtrack and welcome to the forums

 

[jephwalkin]

(Windows XP > Windows 7 Upgrade + 250GB HDD > 500GB HDD)

Okay, I just got done reading the thread and I'm still not 100% on what path to take.
Here is my situation.
I have a HDD (lets call it HDD A) that currently has Windows XP x64 Edition on it. I recently acquired a new larger HDD (lets call it HDD B) that I would like to install the Windows 7 Upgrade on. The upgrade requires a full licence from a previous windows product that I do qualify for. However, the previous version has to be on the HDD before the upgrade will allow registration & activation. Here are the ideas that seem to be possible.

1. Install Windows 7 on HDD B (don't register or activate). Reinstall over Windows 7 and then Activate. (I've been told this method no longer works)

2. Attach both HDD A & HDD B to the motherboard. Start the install on HDD A but have the install process partition and install the OS to HDD B. (I'm not sure if this would work)

3. Find my recovery disk and reinstall Windows XP on HDD B. After that completes install Windows 7 upgrade over freshly installed Windows XP on to HDD B. (I'm pretty sure this would work though I'm not sure if I could reactivate my windows on a new HDD, but then I'm not sure if activation is required either although I assume it is.)

4. Copy HDD A to HDD B. Install Windows 7 Upgrade to HDD B. (This is my last resort method and I really do not want to do this.)

Also I'm buying the upgrade from Microsoft as part of a student promotion for $29.99. I was wondering what form the download will be in and do I have to burn it to a disc or can I put it on a removable storage device.

 

[gregrocker]

You can clean install Win7 upgrade version to the new HD using one of the workarounds given here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Disconnect the XP HD first unless you want Win7 to configure a Dual Boot menu for both OS's. If you do, then leave XP HD plugged in - the DVD will scan the system to see the qualifying OS and most likely allow use of Upgrade version key. If not, use one of the workarounds. Easiest is to just run a second Upgrade over itself from new desktop which will accept the Upgrade version key.

You can burn the ISO to DVD or write it to flash stick using this tool: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html?filter[2]=General%20Tips

You can still plug XP back in and boot it using the one-time BIOS boot menu key given on first boot screen. This BIOS-managed dual boot keeps HD's independent to come and go as you please, whereas Windows-managed Dual Boot interlinks them.

 

[wallyinnc]

Hi Jephwalking, welcome to the forums
Please check the links Greg recommended, you can install using your upgrade disk. The ownership requirement is a legal one not actually software related. You need to own a previous version, you don't even need to have installed it once!