Upgrade Discs - Does Prev Version Have To Be Activated ?
Oct 23, 2009
PLEASE to anybody who has an UPGRADE version of Windows 7 (NOT THE FULL RETAIL DISK).
Can they please answer the question
Does it check to see if the previous version of Windows is actually ACTIVATED before it does its install stuff.
(I don't care what it *might* say or not say on the MS site. I'm curious to see if you really do have to have an activated version of Windows to use the upgrade disk).
Note I'm not asking if you can do a CLEAN install as you WILL be able to -- for example you have to run the install file from Windows XP initially and then at boot time it will give you the CUSTOM install (Clean) and disable the upgrade on the menu.
I have read I can use Windows 7 Home Prem Upgrade to UPGRADE my RC7100.
I have read I can't use Windows 7 Home Prem Upgrade to UPGRADE my RC7100 and that I have to have RC7600 but I thought was a RTM build?
I am confused. Do I buy an UPGRADE or a RETAIL???
I'd really like one simple answer PLEASE to one simple question...CAN I BUY and use an UPGRADE H/Prem Windows 7 to do an inplace UPGRADE of a legally downloaded and activated RC7100? I take it if YES, I have to put in the ISO disc I originally burned as "proof" of originally installed OS?
Mods - I don't think this post is in violation of Posting General Rule #7, but I could be wrong. If so, correct me, teach me the error of my ways, but don't ban me. I kinda like it here.
Some background:
My wife bought an Asus laptop in either Aug or Sep '09. It came installed with 32-bit Vista and came with a free upgrade to Windows 7 - so that kinda gives a time frame. Of course, we wiped Vista from the machine and clean installed one of the later 64-bit Windows 7 builds and the wife was very happy (always a good thing) with the machine.
When Windows 7 was released, we did the paperwork (on-line) to get the upgrade disk from Asus. We finally received the package yesterday. It contained only the 32-bit version of Windows 7 (with a product key) and another disk of drivers for both 32-bit and 64-bit installations (good on them for that).
After reading on SevenForums that an upgrade product key would work on both 32-bit and 64-bit (but those accounts have all be related/using the disk set released and sold by MSFT), I was hoping this "rule" would hold for the product key we got with the Asus disk because the lappy has 4GB installed and I would like for the DW to be able to use all that. So, I grab a MSFT 64-bit Windows 7 upgrade disk and start the clean install figuring that if it doesn't activate all I've lost is a little time. Then install the drivers from the Asus driver disk (there were 5 components in the Device Manager wanting drivers). So far all is well. OK, time to see if it will activate. I had my son read off the product key groups while I keyed them in (my eyes aren't what they used to be) and pulled the trigger. Activation Failed! Hoping that I had miss-keyed, we did a quick review - yup, one character got keyed as a "W" when it should have been a "Y". Made the correction in the product key and ...... Success!!!
Just thought this might help someone else in the same situation - someone who received a 32-bit version but has access to a 64-bit disk.
I have lost my activation key for windows 7 (fresh install) My question is rather then buying another copy of windows 7 could I just buy a windows 8 upgrade package instead?
I bought a ASUS that had a failed c-mos from the factory. only 2 months after i bought it. Before that happen i ordered the asus OEM Windows 7 upgrade disk then my computer crashes now today the disk came. Can i use this asus oem upgrade disk to upgrade my dell vista to Windows 7? Will it change my needed drivers for my dell and install asus drivers.
Or is this simply just an upgrade disk similar to the one you buy retail expect for the key restrictions and will work to upgrade my other computer? both are x64 my dell vista and the asus Windows 7 upgrade.
So I installed a beta version of W7 Ultimate and it's displaying a watermark that says "this is not a legit version". I never had a legitimate product key.I want to purchase a real version and upgrade appropriately.Can I purchase an Upgrade license to Windows 7 Ultimate or do I have to purchase a Full version?Also, what if I wanted to install Windows 7 Home Edition instead of the Ultimate version. If I did this, I assume I would have to install the Full version correct?
I need to know if I can use a clean install disk for Windows 7 Ultimate to upgrade from Vista or if I have to use an Upgrade version?
I'm leaning towards buying the clean install disk so that if I should loose the hard drive at some future point I could just clean install Win 7 Ultimate from the disk without having to first install Vista and then upgrade.
Regardless of which type I purchase, am I better off to buy the OEM disk from the machine manufacturer (Toshiba) or just purchase any OEM disk? Of course, if I want Microsoft support then I need to purchase retail disks.
I have bought a upgrade version win 7 ulimate 32 bit, but i want to install a 64 bit one. So can i download a full version 64 bit, and use the license key of upgrade version? Will WAG block it?
I have upgrade my computer (E6750 to i5 750, 3G DDR2 to 4G DDR3) and I am thinking about upgrading to 7 64bit. Currently I have a dual boot system with XP Home 32 and Vista Home Premium 32. I want to upgrade the Vista to Window 7 64 and leave the XP there.
I am wondering can I but the upgrade version for the job?
i pre ordered 2 copies of win 7 full retail premium discs,The website I ordered from sent me 2 copies of win 7 premium upgrade I'm not sure how the upgrade works,Do these discs come with their own cd keys,so all I need is a previous operating system to install.Or do I need two copies of vista with vista keys or even xp before I can upgrade to windows 7?
I need to know before I send these back to get full copies.
I was stupid enough to purchase a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate full version for my computer from someone on Craigslist. This copy was brand new and sealed. I thought it was legit. I completed wiped my computer clean and installed the software. Everything went fine - until after about a month I started getting this message saying "Must Activate Computer." After talking to Microsoft, this software was legit, but it is something called a developer's copy and it blocked my activation code because I wasn't using certain features because I wasn't supposed to have a copy like this. Of course I tried contacting the person - who is now ignoring all my e-mails. In any event...I want to go purchase a legit version from a store but am not sure what I need. I can currently use my computer, but it is operating illegally from the Windows 7 Ultimate that was installed. I do not need ultimate...home premium is fine.
1) Do I need an upgrade version or a full version?
2) What can I do with this developer's copy of Ultimate? Can I sell it anywhere to someone who is allowed to use it? I"d like to get something for it to help pay for the new one.
As student I purchased the digital-river Windows 7 Pro 64-bit and I'm happy with it.
My university store also lets me buy a Windows 7 DVD for $ 43. I'm considering doing this for a possible second computer or to upgrade a laptop we have.
I want to buy the 64-bit version (since the future is 64-bit). It seems the university store either sells 64-bit or 32-bit DVDs, not one of the packages with both DVDs. Could I buy the 64-bit DVD and install one of the 32-bit bit versions with that 64-bit key (the digital river links had leaked) on the laptop for the time being? the laptop only has 32 bit processor. But it might only live for 1-2 years. then I'd get some 64-bit computer.
I'd buy the Pro-version. I don't think there is anything illegal, since I legally buy two different student discounts from different vendors. I also will use that one key only for one license at a time (and also assume once I register online MS makes sure it only works on one PC).
its my first pc i built myself, and i never had a full version of any windows because of it. but i do have a hp disc, but i dont know if it will activate on the new computer. im asking this because i can get a windows 7 upgrade far cheaper than i can get it for new.
dose the xp installation need to be activated to work? or can i just install xp, than install windows 7 upgrade over it with little to no problem?
I own a complete version of windows 98 and an upgrade version of windows xp. will i be able to install windows 7 using an upgrade version or will I have to buy the full version?
If you upgrade your OEM version (that can only be used with 1 computer, right?), to a retail Windows 8 for example (or any other retail upgrades), will you then be able to switch the Windows installation between different PC's?
I am Currently running Windows XP Pro. I know I qualify to buy the Windows7 upgrade editions. I plan to install it on a new hard drive but the old hard drive will be there for upgrade verification. What happens if I later decide to wipe out my Windows 7 installation and do a fresh install? Or if my hard drive craps out and I need to do a fresh install? At that time I will not have an activated Windows XP os. Would I be better off with a full version of Windows 7?
I have read here over the past few months that just about every upgrade disc of Windows allows a clean version install from within an already running copy of Windows. Has anyone tried this yet with Windows 7?
I've got the RTM version of Windows 7 installed currently obviously and would like to know if I can just buy the upgrade and not the full version (trying to save my pennies).
so I'm confused with upgrading to windows 7. i am currently running the windows 7 RC and for upgrading to the full version I'm unsure if i need to buy the retail version of windows 7 or if i can use the upgrade disk for windows 7.
I want to upgrade my Windows 7 Home Premium 64bits to Windows 7 Professional 64bits, I want to do it with "windows anytime upgrade". My question is: can i upgrade in 64 bits system? or is it only for 32bits system? And finally, I'm gonna do it in a new computer (no software installed), I need anything in special for make an anytame upgrade?P.s: i'm asking this because I want to be sure before buying a key.
Suppose I have a Windows XP pro x86 on my box, and I'm buying Windows 7 retail to upgrade my system. My search tells me that I can buy the Upgrade version to upgrade. I know it's not a direct upgrade.
My XP was upgraded from Windows 2000, which was upgraded from Windows NT 4.
Questions:
What if the unthinkable happens and I need to reformat my hard drive?
Q1: Will I be able to reinstall Windows 7 using the upgrade disc? Or do I have to reinstall XP, then perform the "upgrade" again?
Q2: Will I be better off buying the full version? Can the full version be used to perform this "upgrade"?
The cost of the full version of Ultimate makes me want to throw up but I may not have a choice. I'm running Win 7 Ultimate RC. I do have Windows Vista Home Premium but haven't installed it since the first Win 7 beta came out. I do a lot of experimenting and frequently have to reinstall the OS. It's fun.
I like to do it. My question is if I bought the upgrade would I have to install Vista first everytime and then use the upgrade? Since I do frequent fresh installs I'm betting that the full version is the way for me to go.
Microsoft released the final version of Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor today. This is a essential utility that can help you prepare for a smooth upgrade to Windows 7. Brief Description
Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC is ready for Windows 7. It scans your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues, gives you guidance on how to resolve potential issues found, and recommends what to do before you upgrade.
Overview:-
Before you begin: Be sure to plug in and turn on any USB devices or other devices, such as printers, external hard disks, and scanners, that you regularly use with the PC you're checking.
The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your PC for potential compatibility issues and lets you know about your Windows 7 upgrade options. Within minutes, you'll get a report that tells you if your PC meets the system requirements, if any known compatibility issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs are found, and gives guidance on what to do to before installing Windows 7 on your PC.
I'm quite keen on purchasing an Upgrade version of Windows 7. I understand that the installation process first verifies whether I have a legit version of Vista/XP before it commits to installing Windows 7. Therefore, I have 2 questions relating to this:
1) Will my copy of Vista be deactivated after the upgrade to Windows 7?
2) Is it possible to perform a re-installation of Windows 7 in the future?
I'm particularly concerned about Question 2 because the re-installation means I won't have a copy of Vista/XP installed -- and my Vista serial key may be deactivated so I won't be able to install Vista as a prerequisite to Windows 7.
I've searched online for answers already but most of the results were written during the Windows 7 beta phase and may now be outdated. Some of the answers were also contradictory or very vague so I thought it best to ask the questions afresh.
I live in Spain and recently bought a new computer which was pre-installed with windows Vista in Spanish. If I buy the UK version of windows 7 upgrade will it be compatible with my opperating system
I was just wondering I have a brand new crucial m4 SSD and I only have the windows 7 upgrade version. Is it possible to use windows 98 upgrade that to xp and then windows 7?
can i use a Windows Anytime Upgrade: Windows 7 Starter to Home Premium if i am currently running a windows 7 evaluation build copy 7260? also, is it possible to delete this eval version and return to the previous operating system (vista) if i no longer have the original operating system disks?
