For months now, everybody's been wondering how Windows 7 Upgrade-only packages and other upgrade options will work.
Microsoft itself has been pretty quiet on this topic. But folks are finally receiving their Win7 Pre-Order Upgrade packages and we'll all have answers to our questions soon.
Feel free to post your questions or answers in this thread and I'll keep this first post updated with CONFIRMED information posted here and elsewhere.
I'm going to sticky this topic for a bit and see how it works. If it looks like it's not helpful, I'll de-sticky it and let it die a natural death. Hopefully, having this topic will keep the information in one place.
RebateMonger
P.S.
This topic is intended for technical questions like:
Q: Do I need an Activated copy of XP installed before I can upgrade?
Q: How do I upgrade from Windows 7 RC with my Pre-Order copy of Win7 Home Premium?
Q: Does the old "double-install" trick for Vista work with Wni7 upgrades?
Q: What happens if I upgrade to Win7 and my hard drive fails? How do I re-install W7 from an Upgrade-only DVD?
If you have answers, GREAT! But please make sure you have either confirmed the answer yourself (you have done the upgrade) or you have a link to a reliable source giving the answer.
Comments on how great or how yucky Win7 is would be best put in a different thread.
Finally, note that any upgrade install workarounds discovered are NOT intended to be ways to violate your license terms. "Upgrade-only" licenses are only for PCs that have fully licensed previous versions of Windows. If you don't have a prior license for your computer, then you need to get one before using an Upgrade DVD. Installing Windows 7 without meeting Microsoft's licensing requirements is considered piracy and AnandTech does not condone piracy. There are valid reasons for wanting to install a Windows 7 upgrade on a bare hard drive, but the lack of a previous-version license is not a valid reason.
Thanks!
=================
10/23/09 - OK, I'm going to try to summarize some of the Q&A from this thread. I'm not going repeat every single question and answer, but will try to answer the most common questions. Sorry, but I'm not going to give credit to those generating the answers. It's too much work for me right now. But you can look through the whole thread and find the original posts. I do NOT take credit for most of these answers. Other AnandTech folks provided them.
==================
Upgrade? Retail? OEM? What does it mean?
Microsoft has three consumer-level types of licenses: Full Retail, Upgrade Retail, and OEM. Retail software is normally sold in a sealed box and the license Key is permanently attached to the disk packaging inside the box. OEM software is currently sold in a sealed package and, once opened, can't be re-sold unless included with a PC. Retail software can be re-sold.
Full Retail licenses can used on a system with no prior Windows license. Full Retail can be installed on an empty disk partition. Full Retail can also be used to upgrade from an earlier version of Windows.
Upgrade Retail can only be used to upgrade a system with a pre-existing license for Windows. Typically, upgrades are done by running the Install CD/DVD from inside Windows.
OEM software is intended for System Builders. OEM software won't install on a partition with a pre-existing copy of Windows installed there. OEM licenses, per Microsoft's licensing rules, are permanently "attached" to the system (meaning motherboard) where they are first installed. Microsoft's licensing rules don't allow the transfer of an OEM license to another PC or motherboard unless the motherboard is a System-Builder-approved replacement for a failed motherboard.
=================
Part One
Q) Can I go from Vista Home Pre 32bit to Win7 64bit with no issues?
A) No, not as a straight upgrade. You have to do a Clean Install when moving from 32bit to 64bit. Of course Clean Installs aren't so bad, it just means you do a bit of setup work after the install.
Q) What's the difference between an "In-place Upgrade" and a "Clean Install"?
A) An In-place Upgrade leaves the PC pretty much as it was before the upgrade, with all installed programs and data intact. A Clean Install takes the previous OS and moves it to a folder called "Windows.Old". You'll have to re-install all your applications. You should back up your data files (documents, photos, email, Internet shortcuts) to another disk before upgrading. In-place Upgrades can only be done in certain Vista-to-W7 situations. To migrate from XP or to change from 32-bit to 64-bit (or the reverse), you can only do a Clean Install or install to an empty disk partition.
Q) Which Upgrades can be done "In-Place" and which require a "Clean Install"?
A) The following chart (click the chart to make it larger) shows the options. Note that a "Custom Install" is the same as a "Clean Install".
In-Place and Clean Install options.
Once Windows 7 is installed, Windows Anytime Upgrade will provide additional in-place upgrade possibilities. Windows Anytime Upgrade has been re-designed and, hopefully, will work better than Vista's first attempt.
Q) I got both disk 32 bit/64 bit can I install the 64bit on my main system and install the 32 bit on a laptop/desktop using the same key? or do I have to buy a 32 bit key?
A) No, that's in violation of your license. You have 1 key for 1 computer, so you need to buy another license.
Q) If you get the upgrade dvd and you must choose between 32 and 64 then and there and that's your final answer?
A) Vista/7 keys do not care about the bitness of the version being installed. You can use a key for either a 32bit or 64bit install, regardless of what media it came with, and you are free to switch at a later time.
Q) Do I need an Activated copy of XP or Vista installed before I can upgrade?
A) If you have an "Upgrade-only" license, then the PC must have a dedicated license for a suitable previous OS. For Windows 7, those are XP and Vista. Several sources have found that Windows 7 Upgrade-only DVDs can be used to install Windows 7 to an empty hard drive. This ability does not remove the owner's obligation to have a "legal" license for a previous OS for that PC.
HardForum post on installing W7 Upgrade onto an empty hard drive.
This is the same "double-install" technique that was usable with Vista. Please read the instructions CAREFULLY. It's easy to make a mistake and have failing Activation.
WinSupersite post on installing W7 Upgrade onto an empty hard drive without having to install it twice.
This is a Registry change to the OS that is supposed to eliminate the need to install W7 twice when using "Upgrade-only" media. Quote: "This is what MS Tech will tell you to do, someone on the sevenforums called MS and pretended to have a problem and this is the advice they gave him."
Q) There are a couple of programs that I am worried about that I don't have a hard copy. Is there a way to salvage them or do I need to contact the software distributor do get another download?
A) If you perform an "In-Place Upgrade", your applications should remain functional If you perform a Clean Install, you can't count on successfully migrating applications to the new install. Some software might be moveable just by copying the old program folders. Some third-party vendors sell software for doing these migrations. But, for instance, MS Office is known to be very difficult to migrate. The only way to be sure is to re-install the applications.
Q) How can I get 64-bit media? My download or media was only the 32 bit version.
A) For the time being, you would need to borrow the appropriate disc from a friend. The Win7 Alternate Media program to order different discs from Microsoft is not yet up.
Q) Regarding the Win7 Family pack (three Win7 Home Premium Upgrades in a single package): Since my vista pc's at home are oem can I still use the upgrade? I also want to go to 64bit on one of the desktops. Does the upgrade pack come with the 64 and 32bit versions? Can I use the upgrade pack for clean installs?
A) The Family Pack will allow upgrades of OEM PCs and will allow both x32 and x64 upgrades. x32 and x64 installers are included. It's intended as an "Upgrade", so it should only be used on PCs with dedicated, valid licenses for XP or Vista.
Q) I'm having problems with the special student download from Digital River. Help!
A) I don't have a link, but Digital River now has a full .ISO (image) file available for download. Get this and burn a DVD with the ISO.
Q) I'm doing a Win7 upgrade over my copy of XP. What if I change my mind? Can I re-install XP on my PC?
A) There's no evidence that upgrading from XP to Win7 has any effect on the Microsoft Activation database. When you use an "Upgrade-only" edition of Win7 to upgrade XP to Win7 you DO lose your right to use that XP license on another PC. But if you change your mind and want to re-install XP on your PC, you should have no problem with Activation. And if you do, a phone call to Microsoft should fix it.
Please let me know of any technical errors.
Microsoft itself has been pretty quiet on this topic. But folks are finally receiving their Win7 Pre-Order Upgrade packages and we'll all have answers to our questions soon.
Feel free to post your questions or answers in this thread and I'll keep this first post updated with CONFIRMED information posted here and elsewhere.
I'm going to sticky this topic for a bit and see how it works. If it looks like it's not helpful, I'll de-sticky it and let it die a natural death. Hopefully, having this topic will keep the information in one place.
RebateMonger
P.S.
This topic is intended for technical questions like:
Q: Do I need an Activated copy of XP installed before I can upgrade?
Q: How do I upgrade from Windows 7 RC with my Pre-Order copy of Win7 Home Premium?
Q: Does the old "double-install" trick for Vista work with Wni7 upgrades?
Q: What happens if I upgrade to Win7 and my hard drive fails? How do I re-install W7 from an Upgrade-only DVD?
If you have answers, GREAT! But please make sure you have either confirmed the answer yourself (you have done the upgrade) or you have a link to a reliable source giving the answer.
Comments on how great or how yucky Win7 is would be best put in a different thread.
Finally, note that any upgrade install workarounds discovered are NOT intended to be ways to violate your license terms. "Upgrade-only" licenses are only for PCs that have fully licensed previous versions of Windows. If you don't have a prior license for your computer, then you need to get one before using an Upgrade DVD. Installing Windows 7 without meeting Microsoft's licensing requirements is considered piracy and AnandTech does not condone piracy. There are valid reasons for wanting to install a Windows 7 upgrade on a bare hard drive, but the lack of a previous-version license is not a valid reason.
Thanks!
=================
10/23/09 - OK, I'm going to try to summarize some of the Q&A from this thread. I'm not going repeat every single question and answer, but will try to answer the most common questions. Sorry, but I'm not going to give credit to those generating the answers. It's too much work for me right now. But you can look through the whole thread and find the original posts. I do NOT take credit for most of these answers. Other AnandTech folks provided them.
==================
Upgrade? Retail? OEM? What does it mean?
Microsoft has three consumer-level types of licenses: Full Retail, Upgrade Retail, and OEM. Retail software is normally sold in a sealed box and the license Key is permanently attached to the disk packaging inside the box. OEM software is currently sold in a sealed package and, once opened, can't be re-sold unless included with a PC. Retail software can be re-sold.
Full Retail licenses can used on a system with no prior Windows license. Full Retail can be installed on an empty disk partition. Full Retail can also be used to upgrade from an earlier version of Windows.
Upgrade Retail can only be used to upgrade a system with a pre-existing license for Windows. Typically, upgrades are done by running the Install CD/DVD from inside Windows.
OEM software is intended for System Builders. OEM software won't install on a partition with a pre-existing copy of Windows installed there. OEM licenses, per Microsoft's licensing rules, are permanently "attached" to the system (meaning motherboard) where they are first installed. Microsoft's licensing rules don't allow the transfer of an OEM license to another PC or motherboard unless the motherboard is a System-Builder-approved replacement for a failed motherboard.
=================
Part One
Q) Can I go from Vista Home Pre 32bit to Win7 64bit with no issues?
A) No, not as a straight upgrade. You have to do a Clean Install when moving from 32bit to 64bit. Of course Clean Installs aren't so bad, it just means you do a bit of setup work after the install.
Q) What's the difference between an "In-place Upgrade" and a "Clean Install"?
A) An In-place Upgrade leaves the PC pretty much as it was before the upgrade, with all installed programs and data intact. A Clean Install takes the previous OS and moves it to a folder called "Windows.Old". You'll have to re-install all your applications. You should back up your data files (documents, photos, email, Internet shortcuts) to another disk before upgrading. In-place Upgrades can only be done in certain Vista-to-W7 situations. To migrate from XP or to change from 32-bit to 64-bit (or the reverse), you can only do a Clean Install or install to an empty disk partition.
Q) Which Upgrades can be done "In-Place" and which require a "Clean Install"?
A) The following chart (click the chart to make it larger) shows the options. Note that a "Custom Install" is the same as a "Clean Install".
In-Place and Clean Install options.
Once Windows 7 is installed, Windows Anytime Upgrade will provide additional in-place upgrade possibilities. Windows Anytime Upgrade has been re-designed and, hopefully, will work better than Vista's first attempt.
Q) I got both disk 32 bit/64 bit can I install the 64bit on my main system and install the 32 bit on a laptop/desktop using the same key? or do I have to buy a 32 bit key?
A) No, that's in violation of your license. You have 1 key for 1 computer, so you need to buy another license.
Q) If you get the upgrade dvd and you must choose between 32 and 64 then and there and that's your final answer?
A) Vista/7 keys do not care about the bitness of the version being installed. You can use a key for either a 32bit or 64bit install, regardless of what media it came with, and you are free to switch at a later time.
Q) Do I need an Activated copy of XP or Vista installed before I can upgrade?
A) If you have an "Upgrade-only" license, then the PC must have a dedicated license for a suitable previous OS. For Windows 7, those are XP and Vista. Several sources have found that Windows 7 Upgrade-only DVDs can be used to install Windows 7 to an empty hard drive. This ability does not remove the owner's obligation to have a "legal" license for a previous OS for that PC.
HardForum post on installing W7 Upgrade onto an empty hard drive.
This is the same "double-install" technique that was usable with Vista. Please read the instructions CAREFULLY. It's easy to make a mistake and have failing Activation.
WinSupersite post on installing W7 Upgrade onto an empty hard drive without having to install it twice.
This is a Registry change to the OS that is supposed to eliminate the need to install W7 twice when using "Upgrade-only" media. Quote: "This is what MS Tech will tell you to do, someone on the sevenforums called MS and pretended to have a problem and this is the advice they gave him."
Q) There are a couple of programs that I am worried about that I don't have a hard copy. Is there a way to salvage them or do I need to contact the software distributor do get another download?
A) If you perform an "In-Place Upgrade", your applications should remain functional If you perform a Clean Install, you can't count on successfully migrating applications to the new install. Some software might be moveable just by copying the old program folders. Some third-party vendors sell software for doing these migrations. But, for instance, MS Office is known to be very difficult to migrate. The only way to be sure is to re-install the applications.
Q) How can I get 64-bit media? My download or media was only the 32 bit version.
A) For the time being, you would need to borrow the appropriate disc from a friend. The Win7 Alternate Media program to order different discs from Microsoft is not yet up.
Q) Regarding the Win7 Family pack (three Win7 Home Premium Upgrades in a single package): Since my vista pc's at home are oem can I still use the upgrade? I also want to go to 64bit on one of the desktops. Does the upgrade pack come with the 64 and 32bit versions? Can I use the upgrade pack for clean installs?
A) The Family Pack will allow upgrades of OEM PCs and will allow both x32 and x64 upgrades. x32 and x64 installers are included. It's intended as an "Upgrade", so it should only be used on PCs with dedicated, valid licenses for XP or Vista.
Q) I'm having problems with the special student download from Digital River. Help!
A) I don't have a link, but Digital River now has a full .ISO (image) file available for download. Get this and burn a DVD with the ISO.
Q) I'm doing a Win7 upgrade over my copy of XP. What if I change my mind? Can I re-install XP on my PC?
A) There's no evidence that upgrading from XP to Win7 has any effect on the Microsoft Activation database. When you use an "Upgrade-only" edition of Win7 to upgrade XP to Win7 you DO lose your right to use that XP license on another PC. But if you change your mind and want to re-install XP on your PC, you should have no problem with Activation. And if you do, a phone call to Microsoft should fix it.
Please let me know of any technical errors.
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