Can I upgrade my license without reinstalling?

[metalmackey]

Hi guys,

My PC has an OEM XP Pro installed (was pre-installed) and I want to upgrade to a retail license so I can use Vista retail upgrade. I have a retail XP Pro CD, is there any way of using the retail license without reinstalling windows?

Thanks

 

[metalmackey]

install over the top using repair?

Don't think that will work because the OEM cd is SP2 and the retail is a SP1 cd

 

[metalmackey]

Not that I know of. But then why would you want to?

Microsoft strongly advise that you reinstall when upgrading to Vista, when you do this it'll ask for a qualifying product CD, just put in the retail version and you'll be fine.

Burnsy

It says on theese forims that you need xp installed and Vista doesm't ask for the CD, so that won't work either.