Upgrade Windows 7 Home to Proffesional

[Trugga]

I have Windows 7 Home installed, legit license and activated etc - although I don't have the disk, serial number or the activation code.

I want to upgrade to Windows 7 Proffesional.

But, as I don't have the origonal disks, I intend to purchase the stand alone version of Pro, rather than the upgrade.

Question - Will I be able to upgrade my Home installation to Pro without having to reinstall everything again ?

Lawrence

[FUDDY MUCKER]

You should be able to install Pro on a seperate sector on your hard drive.

When you boot it, it will then give you the option as to which OS you wish to use.

[Trugga]

Thanks Jase, although that is not what I want to do... I only want one installation.

I've bought Pro tonight (actually PC World were out of stock so offered me Ultimate for the same price )

To re-iterate: Is it posible to over-write Windows 7 Home Premium with Windows 7 Ultimate without losing currently installed applications ?

Lawrence

[Alchamist]

The upgrade and full versions are technically the same - just that the installer on the upgrade version will insist on having a previous version. You can even normally use the upgrade version to install a full version providing you just have the CD's of a previous, qualifying version ... the installer would just ask you to pop the disk in to check.

So, to answer your question, the full version should offer you an upgrade path. Just fire up your PC to the desktop and pop the CD in and Bob should be your Uncle ...

[BoxCleva]

Are they both 32bit or 64 bit versions ?

[Trugga]

Not too sure what W7Home is... hang on, I'll have a look... hmm, says 32 bit. The new package has both 32 & 64 bit DVD's.

Just to clarify a little... Bought this machine from an independant PC shop almost a year ago. Had W7Home installed but I was never given the disks or the product key, although W7Home is activated and has passed through the genuine advantage check. The Independant's shop has now closed down

So, I was looking for a way to run the Virtual XP app on my machine, but I need W7Pro or higher - I therefore chose to purchase a "proper" copy of W7Pro that includes the VM (just so happens I have W7Ultimate as mentioned above)

I don't really want to have to install everything again, but if I must, then so be it. I could of purchased the upgrade but then I would never actually own (the phisical disk and product key) an origonal version should I need to flatten and rebuild.

Right, looks like I'll pop the DVD in and see what message come up on the screen.

Back in a bit (I hope)

Lawrence

[BoxCleva]

There is both 32bit and 64bit versions of both Home and Ultimate.

To be honest I would be very surprised if you manage this without having to reinstall programs.And to be honest for what grief it's likely to cause I would go with a fresh install on a formatted drive every day of the week. Just remember to backup licences and data before you start

EDIT: Oh, and the version you have on your laptop is dodgy. The fact it has passed WGA is irrelevant.

[Trugga]

As far as I was aware it was a legit copy, although I now know there is a "OEM" in the product key.

Currently backing up loads of files before giving it a try...

Lawrence

[BoxCleva]

As far as I was aware it was a legit copy, although I now know there is a "OEM" in the product key.

.

Lawrence

Sorry, I should have clarified what I said. If it has no certificate of authenticity attached to the chassis in M$'s eyes its a wrong 'un. I would be stunned if that key wasn't on another machine. Some small independents do all sorts to save a buck, especially when times are hard . Didn't you say they had ceased trading ?

Oh and OEM means its a system builders version and not a retail copy which makes sense if the independent sold it to you.

Currently backing up loads of files before giving it a try...

Very wise. I hope it works for you mate, I'd just be very surprised if it did

[Trugga]

That was painless - I'm back, runing W7Ultimate

It appears W7H could not be upgraded, wanting to do a fresh install instead.

I noted on the DVD the phase "Includes Windows Anytime Upgrade", so I went down that route using the key that came with the full W7U DVD - 10 minutes later, all appears OK.

Desktop has come back as it was, devices/printers etc, emails, applications... now to start playing with the XP VM...

Lawrence

[BoxCleva]

That was painless - I'm back, runing W7Ultimate

It appears W7H could not be upgraded, wanting to do a fresh install instead.

I noted on the DVD the phase "Includes Windows Anytime Upgrade", so I went down that route using the key that came with the full W7U DVD - 10 minutes later, all appears OK.

Desktop has come back as it was, devices/printers etc, emails, applications... now to start playing with the XP VM...

Lawrence

Happy days

[Trugga]

As I suspected, the additional cost of W7Pro (or ultimate) includes an XP license... I am posting this from IE6 running on XP in a virtual machine on W7U

Next job is to install the Frontera resource material

Time for some sleep firts though I think.

Cheers for all the help and ideas chaps.

Lawrence