can I revert my laptop to vista from win 7 upgrade?

jonph · 28 Feb 2011 at 20:44

HI all. I know, you think I'm nuts but let me explain.
I upgraded my laptop from vista to win7 but am now thinking of selling laptop for something newer.I also have a pc with win xp on it.
my question is, can I reinstall vista to my laptop and use my win 7 upgrade on my xp machine. I have licence keys for all 3 os's but not sure if vista key is void after win 7 upgrade even if re installing on original laptop. if this is possible, would I then be able to use win 7 upgrade on xp machine.
hope this makes sense. got a feeling though the answer is going to be no

rgritchie · 28 Feb 2011 at 20:49

Should be fine, win7 upgrade doesn't even need a valid windows install to upgrade from. What I don't get is why you'd choose Vista over XP for your laptop

jonph · 28 Feb 2011 at 21:16

Win 7 upgrade does need either xp or vista to be able to use.It's not the full version win 7 I have. selling laptop so not too fussed about os on that. thought I would have to restore It to vista to allow me to use win 7 upgrade on xp machine as I thought I would not be able to reuse win7 to upgrade on xp pc as it has already been used on laptop to upgrade vista, whereas If I remove win 7 from laptop I was hoping to use it on xp machine. the licences for both xp and vista are oem so didn't think I could swap them over.

SiriusB · 28 Feb 2011 at 21:20

rgritchie said:
Should be fine, win7 upgrade doesn't even need a valid windows install to upgrade from. What I don't get is why you'd choose Vista over XP for your laptop

It would not be a legal copy if you do not have a valid qualifying OS. Being able to install something using a workaround or registry change does not mean you are legally entitled to do so if you do not meet the requirements.

As for the OP, reinstalling Vista is fine. You can use your Windows 7 Upgrade anywhere you like after that.

jonph · 28 Feb 2011 at 21:37

thanks siriusB, I knew I could physically install win 7 but just wasn't sure how I stood leagally.
So just to be clear, as long as I remove win 7 from my laptop, I can reuse it to upgrade any single machine with a valid windows os.
Also will my original vista key still work for my laptop, or will that key now be invalid?

SiriusB · 28 Feb 2011 at 21:49

Original key will still work.

jonph · 28 Feb 2011 at 21:56

marvelous. Cheap laptop any one? lol
Thanks again.
Before I get told off, I know I can't sell laptop here. jut jokeing.