If I buy Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade what do I need?

[bupkus]

If I buy Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade what do I need?

Okay, no cracks. It doesn't make sense to me either but my neophyte nephew wants to and I told him to hold off a few days.

Which Windows OSs and which versions will support this upgrade without an additional infusion of money (instant upgrade not allowed)?
Note: I'm assuming this upgrade disk has both 32 and 64 bit, not that that matters as I'm not asking about "In-Place" vs. "Custom Install" although this will definitely be a clean install.

 

[RebateMonger]

A Win7 Ultimate upgrade license should work with any previous version of XP or Vista.

 

[bupkus]

So if I upgrade over an activated install of lets say XP Professional, the key for XP will be retired? and the Ultimate Upgrade will need no further sacrificial Windows Keys? Further meaning, if I later decide to upgrade from an Athlon X2 to an i7 machine, I won't need to first install XP and activate it first since my XP Key is no longer valid?

 

[AndroidVageta]

A upgrade version of Windows will have to be installed over a older version is what MS wants you to believe. You can however install Windows 7 Upgrade as a fresh install.

Just do the following:

1. Install Windows 7 from booting off DVD and format disk as you usually would and install Windows 7 on a clean hard drive

2. Once inside Windows 7 after it has installed then REINSTALL it again from inside Windows 7 (as if upgrading through Windows XP).

3. When it asks you for the CD-Key on your second install then put it in...BAM! Fresh install of Windows 7 from Upgrade DVD!

As far as reusing your old Windows XP CD-Key for Windows 7...this is impossible...if it were possible then everyone would have just downloaded Windows 7 and used their old CD-Key from their previous Windows OS.


Hope this helps!

 

[bupkus]

A upgrade version of Windows will have to be installed over a older version is what MS wants you to believe. You can however install Windows 7 Upgrade as a fresh install.

Just do the following:

1. Install Windows 7 from booting off DVD and format disk as you usually would and install Windows 7 on a clean hard drive.

Would I do as some did with Vista where on the first install you don't enter a key when asked and just click "next"?

 

[AndroidVageta]

Yes. Just skip the CD-Key input on the first install.

 

[bupkus]

Just for the sake of understanding MS's public approach, does it work like this:

Full install versions of W7 come with active keys while upgrade versions come with sleeper keys. To wake the keys one must first sacrifice an XP or Vista key which becomes "retired" and at the same time awakens the new upgrade key. The awakened upgrade key needs no further awakenings as it becomes a permanent state just like the full install keys.
This describes in my mind a kind of "hand off" technique like with marathon runners handing forward a baton.

Does this describe what is happening with MS's intended upgrade path?

 

[AndroidVageta]

Id say thats basically correct...Im pretty sure its just something on their end, but if you try a fresh install with a Upgrade key its a no go...as Microsofts activation servers see it as so...but just simply Upgrading your fresh install of the same OS bypasses this...so sure its 45 minutes or so down the drain, but no biggie in my eyes!

 

[bupkus]

Id say thats basically correct...Im pretty sure its just something on their end, but if you try a fresh install with a Upgrade key its a no go...as Microsofts activation servers see it as so...but just simply Upgrading your fresh install of the same OS bypasses this...so sure its 45 minutes or so down the drain, but no biggie in my eyes!

It's an option I as I suppose others are grateful for.
Considering how so many users in foreign countries and some here in the USA are using illegal versions in massive numbers, I suppose keeping Joe Legal from managing to use one upgrade to populate a couple computers in his own home seems trivial. I can't understand MS's reluctance other than it's either not cost effective or "...better MS than Apple".