windows upgrade - skip compatibility test

[djyuno]

hi all, does anybody knows how to skip the compatibility test during the windows upgrade installation? since i dont have cd/dvd rom, im running the setup from an iso setup file. When im trying to upgrade my windows, the compatibility report will appear and state that i need to use windows anytime upgrade to perform the upgrade. I dont want to use the Windows anytime upgrade, i just want to install by using the iso file..anyone can help me?

 

[Night Hawk]

Welcome to the Seven Forums! djyuno

The first question I could ask would be if you have a 4gb(recommended size) usb flash drive amd a system that supports booting from them. You could create a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

That would would allow you to perform a full clean install since you are lacking an optical drive. Perhaps you are running a netbook or laptop with broken drive or second hard drive? Mounting the iso on an external usb hard drive is another method used as well.

 

[gregrocker]

You need to use Anytime Upgrade to upgrade within Win7. If your version qualifies for Anytime Upgrade to a higher version type "Anytime" in the Start Search box, insert the retail Product key and the extra features will be unlocked in under 10 minutes.

If your version isn't supported MS wants you to clean reinstall. However there is a workaround to change between versions of Win7 by running a Repair Install.

 

[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

 

[djyuno]

im currently using windows 7 starter which i got bundle from my netbook purchase..n with all the limitation imposed in the starter version, i want to upgrade but i dont have the key but i have the installation file, n also i dnt want to clean install because i want to keep the software given by the the laptop's oem..is there any way to do the upgrade?

 

[Kari]

Hello Djyuno, welcome to the Seven Forums.

You mentioned you do not have a product key for the Windows edition you have on that ISO. How did you think to activate your Windows if you upgrade it using the ISO you have? After upgrading you need a product key for that edition you have upgraded to, but the Starter OEM product key for your netbook can only be used to activate the OEM Starter edition you got with that netbook, no other editions or versions.

Simply, you need a valid product key. If you want to upgrade to Home Premium, you need a Home Premium key, for Ultimate you need an Ultimate key. When you have it you just do an Anytime Upgrade. Your netbook already contains the files and features for every edition. These files and features are then "released" with Anytime Upgrade and your computer upgraded without need to install another edition.

Kari

 

[gregrocker]

Anytime key will be less expensive than retail Win7 key.

 

[Night Hawk]

I think he already bought an electronic download in iso form and is looking to upgrade over the OEM preinstall. The only other option is a total wipe as long as the product key for the intended edition you plan to replace the preinstall with is used.

As for the Anytime Upgrade option that's a direct from MS type of upgrade of editions seen with that. Since you went for a separate download however you would now need to perform a clean custom install not upgrade over the Starter edition likely with a usb install key made up. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Since the iso is of a different edition the upgrade will automatically be greyed out upon running the installer. This also means you lose the OEM apps in the process. As Kari pointed out the Anytime Upgrade option would have been the ideal option for seeing the change of edition without loss of programs you have on now.

 

[Kari]

Worth to notice:

Windows Anytime Upgrade is only available for online purchase in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Upgrade to another edition of Windows 7 by using Windows Anytime Upgrade

I believe the OP has not bought an official Seven download, because then he also had the product key which he says he does not have.

To summarize all this, OP's best alternative is to use online Anytime Upgrade if he lives in one of the 13 countries it is available, or to buy an upgrade version of the edition he wants to use. Buying for instance directly from Microsoft, it includes both the ISO download and product key.

If OP got the ISO from not so official sources it might not be a good idea to buy just a license because of two reasons: first, there's been a lot of non-valid product keys on sale on various sites around the internet, and you have basically no possibilities to know if the key works before you have used it. Second, if the ISO really is from unofficial sources (putting it nice ), there's no 100% guarantee it is a fully working, no BS, exact copy of the official ISO.

Kari

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/88163-windows-anytime-upgrade-enable-disable.html

 

[Night Hawk]

Well if you didn't go through the MS store, TechNet, MSDN, or a reputable authorized vendor? djyuno ut oh... there's also the high probably of malwares to consider as well.

For a legit download from MS in iso form which includes a new key that would result in the preinstall being replaced entirely with loss of preinstalled apps. If you went that route then you could save the purchase and key for use on another system being upgraded to 7 and go with the Anytime Upgrade option for the netbook.

I know it's not what you wanted to hear but these are the options you have available.

 

[djyuno]

uh, i guess i have no other choices then..ill purchase the upgrade key later cz i dnt want to mess the applications reinstallation..thanks!..i live in malaysia btw..

 

[Night Hawk]

If you were able to download/install or use a usb optical drive to see them go on a fresh install of the edition you want to run you would then be able to use the Windows Easy Transfer tool for later restoring various files and settings on the next edition once that and the apps themselves were seen to.

The Anytime Upgrade option was introduced with the last version of Windows for people who go out and buy a new laptop, desktop, or now a netbook and soon decide they want a different edition from what it came with usually one with more features. That allows you to see that at the much lower cost of not custom installing yourself or a service charge when sending it in for an OS change.

Unfortunately your options there were narrowed down quite a bit. But you will save the apps you want to keep as well as spend less. That's the up side for you.

 

[Kari]

uh, i guess i have no other choices then..ill purchase the upgrade key later cz i dnt want to mess the applications reinstallation..thanks!..i live in malaysia btw..

Please notice that the option for online Anytime Upgrade we all recommended for you earlier in this thread is not available in your home country Malaysia. The countries where it's available are mentioned in this post. You need to find a retailer who sells the Anytime Upgrade license. Here's some more info on that regarding Malaysia: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-MY/windows7/products/windows-anytime-upgrade

You can also use an Upgrade version of another edition of Windows 7, you do not need to buy a full retail version. Wherever you buy it, you get the official install media, too. A downloadable ISO if you buy directly from Microsoft or other legal online sources, or a DVD if you buy from a store.

The easiest for you would be to use Windows Easy Transfer as Night Hawk here above suggested, then do a clean install using the upgrade version of another Seven edition, the one you purchased.

Kari

 

[gregrocker]

As I stated there is a workaround for in-place Upgrading between versions of Win7 when you cannot do Anytime. Let us know when you have a retail installer with Key.

 

[Kari]

As I stated there is a workaround for in-place Upgrading between versions of Win7 when you cannot do Anytime. Let us know when you have a retail installer with Key.

Very important point.

Kari

 

[Night Hawk]

Typically the workaround referred to would be the unlocking of all editions seen with the iso which still would require the product key for the edition you plan to run. That would still tend to be a clean install however.

As far as the apps you want to keep as long as you can find and install those fresh on a clean install of the intended edition the Windows Easy Transfer will work for restoration of the files and settings for those and other things. If you could reply back with a list of them we could find if they are available separately hopefully fat least some of them reewares as well.

Since you are using a netbook the only options for using the WET is with an external usb hard drive, flash drive(large enough), or a usb dvd burner with the backup files being burned or written to a data dvd or rw media. One guide for using the tool is seen at http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html

With the OEM version of the Starter edtion there you may need to download the WET direct from MS however if for some reason it wasn't included with their preinstall. Windows Easy Transfer - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows

The comparison chart initially made up for 7 shows it should already be included however. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/14422-compare-windows-7-editions.html