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Questions about of upgrading from Win 7 Home to Pro

B

BernardP

Golden Member
I would like to upgrade my current Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit install to Windows 7 Professionnal 64-bit, mostly to add Bitlocker and EFS.

Windows Anytime Upgrade isn't available anymore, but even when it was, the price was excessive, IIRC somewhere around $150.

I have seen retail discs and keys for Windows Pro available on eBay for a more reasonnable amount.

And I still have the OEM System Builder Pack DVD for the Home Premium version installed on my system. This builder pack is not branded. The builder pack was used on my custom system when assembled by NCIX - Canada.

My understanding is that all Windows DVD have all the files required to install any version of Windows. So with my own DVD, with the proper key, I could upgrade to the Pro version.

I want of course to remain completely legit. So here are the things I would like to know:

--- If I buy a full Windows Pro key from a third party, can I use it with my own DVD to get a Windows Pro installation?

--- Can I install the Pro version over my existing Home version? What worries me is what would happen, when I upgrade to the Pro version, to all the updates made to my current Windows installation over the last 3 years. And also the potential conflicts that can arise if an older version of a file takes the place of a more recent one. Yet, these potential problems should have been taken into account when Windows Anytime Upgrade was available.

(but I'll do a fresh format/install if I have to)

--- I would like recommendations as to the best places/web sites where I could legally buy an install disc and key for Windows 7 Professionnal.

Thanks
 
Replies are bolded.
BernardP said:
--- If I buy a full Windows Pro key from a third party, can I use it with my own DVD to get a Windows Pro installation?
No I don't believe this is possible.

--- Can I install the Pro version over my existing Home version? What worries me is what would happen, when I upgrade to the Pro version, to all the updates made to my current Windows installation over the last 3 years. And also the potential conflicts that can arise if an older version of a file takes the place of a more recent one. Yet, these potential problems should have been taken into account when Windows Anytime Upgrade was available.

(but I'll do a fresh format/install if I have to)

You should be able to upgrade without losing any of your programs or settings. I went from 7>8>8.1 using the upgrade process with no troubles. Now the upgrade is always riskier than a fresh install so YMMV depending on your setup.

--- I would like recommendations as to the best places/web sites where I could legally buy an install disc and key for Windows 7 Professionnal.

I've read good things about http://www.discountmountainsoftware.com/ from members here on the forum. Also any reputable place like Amazon, Newegg, ect would be worth checking out too.
Thanks
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