Windows 7 Upgrade Edition

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
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I'm going to buy Windows 7 Professional through the student deal. Since I currently have the Release Candidate on my desktop, I'll have to do a clean install. Now, the site says that the deal is for an upgrade version. However, it says something about a custom install if you don't have a previous retail/OEM version of Windows installed.

I'm a little confused about this. I thought the upgrade editions didn't allow you to do full installs. Correct me if I'm wrong as I've only ever bought the full OEM copies before.
 

KeypoX

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2003
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yep you can do clean, custom install. But you need ot have previous version of windows installed already, but you can also do double install trick if y ou dont.
 

Cheeseplug

Senior member
Dec 16, 2008
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I was running the 7100 RC edition, and I did the windows 741 PRO upgrade. I installed it from the RC and without any problems at all, it did the custom install and activated. I didn't even have my copy of XP installed, and wasn't prompted for a key other than windows 7.
 

dfuze

Lifer
Feb 15, 2006
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I got the Pro version through the student deal too. I read either on this site or another that (can't remember at this time) that someone emailed Digital River and they said it is a full version, that the "upgrade" is just marketing saying that it is a new version.

I used the custom install option (went from Vista 32 to 7 64 bit) and only had to enter my key for 7 leading me to believe that email response from Digital River.
 

jrbales

Junior Member
Jul 10, 2005
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I bought the Windows 7 Premium Family Pack upgrade since I had one laptop and two desktops to upgrade. Much less expensive than having to buy three upgrades OR three OEM versions. I upgraded the laptop to 32-bit Windows 7 on which I had Win 7 Ultimate Release Candidate. Using a clean install, I had no problems with activation. On the desktop I wanted to install a larger hard disk so with 64-bit Win 7. I ended up trying the double install technique and it activated with no problem. I'm very happy with the 64-bit version and only had two pieces of software that would not run on 64-bit Windows (one was Diskeeper Professoinal which I had upgraded a 2008 version to the 2009 version. To reinstall, I had to try to install the 2008 version first and it balked, stating that Win 7 64-bit was not a supported OS, even though the 2009 version does support it. Using the trialware version for 30 days and hope that the 2010 version comes out w/in that time or I may decide to look elsewhere rather than buy another full version). All things considered, I'm absolutely happy with Windows 7, particularly the 64-bit version. It runs fast, it recognizes all 4 GB of memory in the system, and I like most of the usability changes that Microsoft made. I'd recommend 64-bit if your system and your vital software will support it!
 

cbn

Lifer
Mar 27, 2009
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Is mircosoft still offering an affordable windows 7 upgrade for a single computer.

At one time I saw it offered for $50.
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
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Originally posted by: Just learning
Is mircosoft still offering an affordable windows 7 upgrade for a single computer.

At one time I saw it offered for $50.

No, that was for the pre-order way back in July.

My fear is buying this and I end up wasting $40 on a coaster. Now, I do have a single license OEM copy of Vista Home Premium 64-bit but I've already used up the license for it. If all else fails, can I install it on trial mode then use the upgrade with the Windows 7 key?

Since I am a starving student, I really don't feel like spending $165, or more if this doesn't work, on an OS right now. lol
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
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Originally posted by: Cheeseplug
I was running the 7100 RC edition, and I did the windows 741 PRO upgrade. I installed it from the RC and without any problems at all, it did the custom install and activated. I didn't even have my copy of XP installed, and wasn't prompted for a key other than windows 7.

Hmm, well this is the version I have. I guess at worst case I can always install it on my laptop.