Vista Uprgrade with non-legit XP Pro

[Moya]

Alright, I have a non-legit copy of Windows XP Professional. The reason being, I built this computer FOR DX10, and new that I would be getting Vista soon, so I saw no point in spending the money on XP. Now, can I buy the upgrade version of Vista, or will I have to buy the complete package for a fresh install?

Thanks for the help.

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Moya,

FYI, you are posting on the largest English language computer oriented forums in the world. You have no idea how many members we have with registered addresses @microsoft.com, adobe.com, symantec.com, etc. What do you think would happen if one of them saw your post and reported it to their piracy department?

What do you think we would do if they came to us with a legal request for all information we had about you? We would give it to them because we would have no choice.

You may as well run naked around your town square wearing a big "Kick the idiot" sign on your back.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[RebateMonger]

Until MS releases the consumer Upgrade packages after Jan 30, I don't think that you'll find (m)any non-MS employees who know the answer to this one.

 

[mechBgon]

Now, can I buy the upgrade version of Vista, or will I have to buy the complete package for a fresh install?

You have to buy the complete package, because upgrading requires a legit license to what you're upgrading from. Hope that helps

 

[Moya]

Ah, just the answer I expected. Thanks anyway.

 

[mechBgon]

Keep in mind that you can buy an OEM WinXP license with a free Vista upgrade coupon for less than you'd pay for retail Vista Upgrade edition, if you don't mind having an OEM license and don't need Vista Ultimate (to which no upgrade path exists, that I'm aware of, because there's no comparable previous version). So the up-front cost of a legit license is actually lower than your alternate plan, as far as I can see.

As you may know, OEM licenses are good for one computers' worth and then you buy it again if you build a new rig, so there's reasons to consider the full retail versions for the long haul.