The Full On Windows 7 Upgrade **Matrix**

[13Gigatons]

License Upgrade = Your legal right to run the software.

File Upgrade = Currents settings and installed apps will be retained: picture

Clean Install = No settings or apps will be retained: picture


*Always backup your files before you begin*
*Always backup your files before you begin*
*Always backup your files before you begin*

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
or
http://www.todo-backup.com/download/


0. Slipstreaming SP1 with Windows 7? (03-09-2011)

Slip-streaming SP1 is not officially supported by Microsoft. Your options:

1. Install SP1 via Windows Update.

2. Download the official MSDN/Technet updated SP1 ISO file. Requires MSDN or Technet account.

3. Use RT Seven Lite to make your own. http://www.rt7lite.com/downloads.html

1. I have a blank hard drive what will happen?

The double install trick appears to work as well as two other easier options: Link

Microsoft has clarified that if an end user keeps with the spirit of the upgrade license then it is acceptable to use these work around's.


2. Is the upgrade media bootable?

Yes but some select media appears not be bootable.

3. Can I downgrade Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Professional?

License upgrade = ?
File Upgrade = Yes
Clean Install = Yes

If some registry keys are changed it will allow Home Premium and Professional to be installed over Ultimate. Link


4. I have Windows 7 RC installed?

The ability to do a file upgrade is possible by copying all the files to the hard drive and editing a file. Microsoft doesn't officially support this and highly recommends a clean install.

License Upgrade = Yes
File Upgrade = Yes ( confirmed to work with Technet RTM iso)
Clean Install = Yes

File Upgrade:
Unpack iso with 7zip, UltraISO, etc.
Change \sources\cversion.ini MinClient to 7100
Save

March 1, 2010: Windows 7 RC restarts every two hours.

June 1, 2010: Windows 7 RC expires.


5. Can I convert a 32-bit install to 64-bit install?

License upgrade = yes
file upgrade = no
Clean Install = yes

The Windows 7 upgrade media will include both 32-bit and 64-bit.

All your Vista 32-bit files will be moved to Windows.old and Windows 7 64-bit will be cleanly installed. You will then need to re-install all your applications.

6. I have Windows Vista installed?

You have the option for file upgrade or clean install. File upgrade will take longer but all your apps will still be installed. Clean install will be quicker but you will need to reinstall all your apps.

License Upgrade = Yes
File Upgrade = Yes
Clean Install = Yes

7. I have Windows 2000/XP installed?

License Upgrade = Yes
File Upgrade = No
Clean Install = Yes

All the files will be moved to a folder called Windows.old and Windows 7 will perform a clean install. You will need to re-install all your applications.

---------------
Please visit these websites for more information about each manufacturer's Windows 7 Free Upgrade program and Qualifying Systems.

Acer http://www.acer.com/win7upgrade
Asus http://event.asus.com/2009/windows7
Averatec https://ebiz.mentormediacorp.com/win7Averatec/terms.asp
eMachine http://www.emachine.com/win7upgrade
Gateway http://www.gateway.com/win7upgrade
HP http://www.hp.com/go/windows7upgrade (Expires: March 1st)
Lenovo http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/windows7
MSI http://www.msimobile.com
Sony http://www.sony.com/windows7
Toshiba http://laptops.toshiba.com/windows7upgrade
Samsung http://www.samsung.com/us/promotion/win7
Microsoft http://www.windows7upgradeoption.com

 

[13Gigatons]

----
http://vbforums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=28247212&postcount=1

 

[coolVariable]

without explaining your terms, e.g. License upgrade and file upgrade, this is not very helpful.
You seem to mix and match throughout the various scenarios.

Also don't see the benefit of pinning this when most questions cannot be answered (e.g. does the vista double install trick also work for Win7?).

 

[13Gigatons]

License Upgrade = Your legal right to run the software.

File Upgrade = Putting the DVD media in and have two options, file upgrade or clean install.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
5. Can I downgrade Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Professional?

License upgrade = no
File Upgrade = no
Clean Install = maybe

More then likely the media will inform you that you need a Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade instead. You may have to resort to formatting and trying the double install trick.

from what i read this is wrong. According to that guy on cnet and others...

"Can I buy one of the upgrades if I am running Windows Vista Ultimate?
A lot of folks have been asking this since Microsoft isn't offering a discounted way to buy Windows 7 Ultimate. The answer is yes, one can buy an upgrade. However, any time one moves "down" in editions as part of an upgrade, it requires a clean installation of the operating system. "

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1386...?tag=mncol;mlt_related

My question though is how many times can you reinstall and upgrade your computer with upgrade?

 

[13Gigatons]

If you are running the Windows 7 Release Candidate, and you have activated it, you will not need to reinstall an older version of Windows before using an Windows 7 upgrade disk.

However, you will not be able to do an upgrade installation, in which your existing programs and data are left in place. Instead, you'll have to do what Microsoft calls a custom installation. This is essentially a clean install, but your existing operating system, programs and data are squirreled away in a folder labeled WINDOWS.OLD. You end up with a fresh Windows 7 setup, but you can access that folder to get to any needed data. (Sorry, the programs in there won't work - you'll need to reinstall them.)

That's good news for folks who worried they'd have to do two operating system installations to get the final version of Windows 7 on their PCs.

But there's a catch. If for some reason you later need to reinstall the finished version of Windows 7 from scratch using the upgrade copy you bought, you'll first need to install and activate Windows XP or Vista.

This is different from Windows Vista's installation procedure. Vista would let you install an older Windows OS, skip activation, and then install with an upgrade version. You can no longer skip activation when installing Windows 7 via an upgrade disk.

In other words, it's all about activation. The Windows 7 upgrade disk will need to see a valid activation - and that can include an activated copy of the release candidate - before it will install the operating system.

This should make life somewhat easier for those running the Windows 7 Release Candidate - so long as they don't have to do a reinstall later.

 

[Raduque]

Well, I guess I'll have to get a new Acronis license =\

 

[NoobyDoo]

Do the upgrade offers apply only to retail versions or OEM too ?

Eg : I have OEM Vista64 HP, can I upgrade ?

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: NoobyDoo
Do the upgrade offers apply only to retail versions or OEM too ?

Eg : I have OEM Vista64 HP, can I upgrade ?

OEM as well.

 

[mshan]

Is the old XP key still going to be valid on another machine? (if last activation of XP was over one year ago?)

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: mshan
Is the old XP key still going to be valid on another machine? (if last activation of XP was over one year ago?)

No. You are in effect surrendering your Windows XP license for the Win7 license.

 

[glugglug]

Are you certain a Win2000 install can be used, especially considering activation doesn't exist in Win2K?

I would rather not give up my XP MCE or Vista Ultimate licenses.

Also, what the article says about needing to have a previous version of windows installed first in order to do the upgrade SUCKS. Especially if it refuses to wipe that old version and is instead moving/renaming the directories as they described. Windows 7 x64 is currently occupying 28.9GB on my SSD (and that is with a lot of stuff moved off to E: using Junctions, which it didn't totally like, so its kind of pushing me to reinstall anyway...) I don't need 2 copies of it all on the drive - that would give me a little under 15GB left, and give the SSD less blocks to play with for wear leveling & performance (even after deleting that crap), as once you write a block, the SSD doesn't know its available again. (at least until Intel implements TRIM). What if someone is running a 32GB SSD? It literally does not have space for minimal Win7 + minimal Vista installs! Why can't it just ask for your old product key, and associate your old product key with your upgrade key permanently on-line, so noone else can use the same key for upgrade activation?

If they are correct, I will be installing Win2K before running the upgrade, to minimize this wasted space (after using the Win7 beta installer just to create the SSD partition map after a fresh HDDERASE).

I would also add, what is the purpose of this activated windows check if they REALLY allow it to upgrade from the Windows 7 beta? I mean since the beta is FREE, this would essentially be a discounted way of getting Windows 7, good until 6/2010.

One more question inquiring minds would like to know:
Lets say you order an upgrade, and obtain a DVD iso for the full version. Will the upgrade product key work with the corresponding full version installer?

 

[13Gigatons]

With the Vista upgrade media, if you installed it on a clean hard drive and then tried using the upgrade key it would say it's wrong license type. That's why you needed to do the double install trick.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: glugglug
Are you certain a Win2000 install can be used, especially considering activation doesn't exist in Win2K?

Windows 7 Upgrades are definitely allowed by the W7 Retail Upgrade package. Microsoft clearly states this on its ordering site.

That same detail made the early "Vista Upgrade Clean Install" rumors of requiring an "Activated" copy of XP appear unfounded. As we all know now, Vista Upgrades did not require an Activated copy of XP nor did it deactivate one's old XP Key.

Yeah, MS may do the deactivation this time. But for it to be effective, a W7 Upgrade would have to retain the old XP or Vista key in its memory. Otherwise, only a phone call to Microsoft would be necessary to "re-activate" the XP or Vista Key. Such a re-activation of old Keys would be necessary if one's hard drive failed or if one simply desired to re-install W7.

It all seems like a lot of red tape and potential customer dis-satisfaction, especially when the customer has already paid for the Upgrade package and since so many folks tend to lose their XP or Vista Keys and Install CD/DVDs.

 

[daniel1113]

Microsoft needs to get rid of the whole upgrade vs. retail distinction and simply sell everyone a retail disc with a new serial number but at the upgrade price (~$100-150). Having to install an old OS in order to verify ownership before installing the new OS is beyond retarded. I will be receiving an upgrade to Windows 7 with my new ThinkPad, and I can already guarantee that the first thing I'll do after I receive my upgrade is throw the disc into permanent storage and install a pirated copy. It's just not worth my time and effort to play these upgrade games.

 

[trickymickey]

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
6. Can I convert a 32-bit install to 64-bit install?

License upgrade = yes
file upgrade = no
Clean Install = yes

The Windows 7 upgrade media will include both 32-bit and 64-bit.

All your Vista 32-bit files will be moved to Windows.old and Windows 7 64-bit will be cleaning installed. You will then need to re-install all your applications.

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly because I spoke with a mildly incompetent sounding microsoft customer support person last night that said I couldn't do this.

I have the following dilemma, I purchased windows vista 32bit for a linux box that I was going to convert to a windows machine. I then decided to build a new system instead which uses 64 bit. I was planning to run 32 bit on it until october when 7 comes out and then use the upgrade to install windows 64 bit. As long as I'm willing to do a clean install I can use the windows 7 upgrade to go to 64 bit, and the Upgrade is capable of doing said clean install so I don't need the full version of windows 7 for the clean install?

I already preordered the windows 7 home premium upgrade while it was 50 bucks so I want to figure out if that's going to allow me to go from vista 32 to windows7 64, if I understand your post then it does, right?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
Microsoft needs to get rid of the whole upgrade vs. retail distinction and simply sell everyone a retail disc with a new serial number but at the upgrade price (~$100-150).

Most Windows sales come with new PCs from large OEMs. Nowadays, that's something like 90% of all Windows licenses. Next would be the "Retail Upgrade" and "System Builder OEM" licenses, which are priced around the same level. At the very end would be sales of "Full Retail" licenses. Those can't be more than a few percent of sales.

Maybe raise the price of the licenses that do sell (by a dollar or two) and turn them all into "Full" licenses? It'd eliminate a lot of wasted time and would hardly affect the bottom line. The truth is that "Upgrade" licenses are a joke. Pretty much everybody knows this and many take advantage of it. Up through Vista, you could install your "Upgrade" OS onto an empty hard drive with very little trouble, even if you didn't really own a license for a previous OS.

From a legal standpoint, "proving" legal licensing for an upgrade is onerous. Disks, Keys, and license certificates are easily lost. And if MS starts enforcing it some of the methods being discussed, it's going to make upgrades much tougher and will likely have a negative impact on overall MS revenue.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons

It's been stated by a Microsoft spokesperson that upgrade media will not be able to upgrade Windows installs that are not activated. This would imply that the double install trick won't work. However installing and activating the RC build would work while the RC build is available.

I tried upgrading the RC to a newer version by upgrading and was hit with a warning that I could not upgrade a beta version of Windows and must do a clean install (but not in those exact words.)

I couldn't imagine that you could go from beta --> full version with an upgrade CD.

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: trickymickey

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
6. Can I convert a 32-bit install to 64-bit install?

License upgrade = yes
file upgrade = no
Clean Install = yes

The Windows 7 upgrade media will include both 32-bit and 64-bit.

All your Vista 32-bit files will be moved to Windows.old and Windows 7 64-bit will be cleaning installed. You will then need to re-install all your applications.

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly because I spoke with a mildly incompetent sounding microsoft customer support person last night that said I couldn't do this.

I have the following dilemma, I purchased windows vista 32bit for a linux box that I was going to convert to a windows machine. I then decided to build a new system instead which uses 64 bit. I was planning to run 32 bit on it until october when 7 comes out and then use the upgrade to install windows 64 bit. As long as I'm willing to do a clean install I can use the windows 7 upgrade to go to 64 bit, and the Upgrade is capable of doing said clean install so I don't need the full version of windows 7 for the clean install?

I already preordered the windows 7 home premium upgrade while it was 50 bucks so I want to figure out if that's going to allow me to go from vista 32 to windows7 64, if I understand your post then it does, right?

It will accept that Vista 32 as valid and then tell you you must do a clean install. The upgrade option will be grayed out: pic

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
Microsoft needs to get rid of the whole upgrade vs. retail distinction and simply sell everyone a retail disc with a new serial number but at the upgrade price (~$100-150). Having to install an old OS in order to verify ownership before installing the new OS is beyond retarded. I will be receiving an upgrade to Windows 7 with my new ThinkPad, and I can already guarantee that the first thing I'll do after I receive my upgrade is throw the disc into permanent storage and install a pirated copy. It's just not worth my time and effort to play these upgrade games.

There are three options:

1. Upgrade Retail

2. Full Retail

3. Full OEM

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons

It's been stated by a Microsoft spokesperson that upgrade media will not be able to upgrade Windows installs that are not activated. This would imply that the double install trick won't work. However installing and activating the RC build would work while the RC build is available.

I tried upgrading the RC to a newer version by upgrading and was hit with a warning that I could not upgrade a beta version of Windows and must do a clean install (but not in those exact words.)

I couldn't imagine that you could go from beta --> full version with an upgrade CD.

They force you to do a clean install and start over from scratch.

However this has nothing to do with the double install trick which was used for a new empty hard drive.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons

Originally posted by: daniel1113
Microsoft needs to get rid of the whole upgrade vs. retail distinction and simply sell everyone a retail disc with a new serial number but at the upgrade price (~$100-150). Having to install an old OS in order to verify ownership before installing the new OS is beyond retarded. I will be receiving an upgrade to Windows 7 with my new ThinkPad, and I can already guarantee that the first thing I'll do after I receive my upgrade is throw the disc into permanent storage and install a pirated copy. It's just not worth my time and effort to play these upgrade games.

There are three options:

1. Upgrade Retail

2. Full Retail

3. Full OEM

Yeah, that's kinda my point. If you buy an upgrade license, you have to install the old OS first, which is a waste of time. MS should simplify the whole process and provide one retail version at one price to avoid the whole upgrade hoopla.

 

[glugglug]

Can the E-editions (European editions) of Windows 7 full version (without IE) be pre-ordered in the U.S?

It would be worth the extra $35 vs. the U.S. upgrade pre-order to avoid having to install another OS first. Might have to cancel my upgrade pre-order from newegg if I can order a Euro version instead for £49.99. BTW is there an English speaking European country besides England? If I can buy the English European version for 50 euros instead of 50 pounds that would be even better.

Edit: correction, looks like some stores have it for £44.99 including VAT (Amazon lists it as £39.10) so not as much of a premium for paying in pounds.

But both Amazon & Staples refuse to ship to a U.S. address, haven't found any place that will.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: mshan
Is the old XP key still going to be valid on another machine? (if last activation of XP was over one year ago?)

No. You are in effect surrendering your Windows XP license for the Win7 license.

So you can only do an update once per Win XP version? I.e. Install XP->activate->install win7->activate. If you need to reinstall Win7 what happens then, since you can't activate XP again?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Scooby Doo
If you need to reinstall Win7 what happens then, since you can't activate XP again?

Microsoft would have to let you re-activate XP.