Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade query

bloodline76 · 17 Jan 2010 at 13:41

I have got a new computer without an OS on it and my friend has given me a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade (Nice friend

)

Does the upgrade only work if you have the a copy of XP or Vista on it already? Or can I install fresh on a formated HD?

I fear it wont. So my next question although a bit dodgey. Could I use a "obtained" OS and then upgrade that way? I know its wrong but I wouldnt be using the "obtained" OS for long.

Whilst Im asking questions is there much difference between the Home and other versions?

Thanks

NoNameNoNumber · 17 Jan 2010 at 13:44

i was wondering the same thing, im not sure but i believe that as the obtained one wouldn't be official, the upgrade probably wouldnt work as it should (live upgrades etc) in the end i just bought a new one.

Iceman · 17 Jan 2010 at 13:44

Normally you need an OS on there to updgrade.
Or on the other OS's you could insert another OS disc.
Not sure if you can still do this

theheyes · 17 Jan 2010 at 13:47

You can install an Upgrade copy fairly easily but to be correctly licensed you must have a qualifying OS already on the computer. Whether you use the "obtained" OS for 3 years or half an hour doesn't affect the licensing terms.

For differences between Home and the other versions, the short answer is not a lot but you can check the wiki for a more detailed run down:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions#Comparison_chart

FoxEye · 17 Jan 2010 at 13:48

1. install win7 upgrade, do not enter key
2. *do not* delete or format the partition using any 3rd party software.
3. perform a clean install of win7 again. this time enter key.
4. it works.

win7 installer checks for an already installed OS before it gives you formatting/partitioning options, which is why you can do a clean install this way, but you need to do it twice if starting from a blank disc.

siege2 · 17 Jan 2010 at 13:52

If the friend has giving you an original dvd and serial to go with that disc "not a copy" then you can upgrade a previously installed version off windows vista or xp etc on installation you may need to phone to say something along the lines that my motherboard broke.

PS make sure your friend is still not using the operating system on his machine otherwise he should not have giving you the dvd and and serial.

bloodline76 · 17 Jan 2010 at 13:57

siege2 said:
If the friend has giving you an original dvd and serial to go with that disc "not a copy" then you can upgrade a previously installed version off windows vista or xp etc on installation you may need to phone to say something along the lines that my motherboard broke.

PS make sure your friend is still not using the operating system on his machine otherwise he should not have giving you the dvd and and serial.

Yeah he got a new version with a new laptop so doesnt need it and so he hasnt installed it at all.

I will try the double install as I dont have another version of windows. If not this will probably go on mm and then ill buy the full version.

FoxEye said:
1. install win7 upgrade, do not enter key
2. *do not* delete or format the partition using any 3rd party software.
3. perform a clean install of win7 again. this time enter key.
4. it works.

win7 installer checks for an already installed OS before it gives you formatting/partitioning options, which is why you can do a clean install this way, but you need to do it twice if starting from a blank disc.

If thats true couldnt you just upgrade from a trial version? 30 day?

Thanks guys!

FoxEye · 17 Jan 2010 at 14:01

bloodline76 said:
If thats true couldnt you just upgrade from a trial version? 30 day?

Thanks guys!

Exactly what I was trying to say

Install it without a key, this then becomes your "qualifying OS" that you need present to install an upgrade version.

Therefore, the 2nd time you install your upgrade key will work, even when doing a clean install and wiping partitions.

bloodline76 · 17 Jan 2010 at 14:07

FoxEye said:
Exactly what I was trying to say Install it without a key, this then becomes your "qualifying OS" that you need present to install an upgrade version.

Therefore, the 2nd time you install your upgrade key will work, even when doing a clean install and wiping partitions.

Seems a bit strange that works but I wont complain. I guess all they care about is that you buy the OS in the end.

What about if I used my mates full version and entered my key off it? Would that work. So use the files of the full but with my key to validate?

FoxEye · 17 Jan 2010 at 18:11

bloodline76 said:
Seems a bit strange that works but I wont complain. I guess all they care about is that you buy the OS in the end.

What about if I used my mates full version and entered my key off it? Would that work. So use the files of the full but with my key to validate?

The disc is (almost) the same. The version that gets installed depends entirely on your key.

If you use a retail key you only install once. If you use an upgrade key, either you have an OS there for the installer to find, or you install twice.

stoofa · 17 Jan 2010 at 18:12

No matter what "methods" you use to install the OS you are not license legal.
An upgrade OS funnily enough requires an OS to upgrade from.
So unless you've bought a new WinXP or Win Vista OEM or retail license for the machine in question then you cannot legally use your upgrade OS.

You might just as well go and download yourself a copy of Windows - you'll be just as legal.

FoxEye · 17 Jan 2010 at 18:16

stoofa said:
No matter what "methods" you use to install the OS you are not license legal.
An upgrade OS funnily enough requires an OS to upgrade from.
So unless you've bought a new WinXP or Win Vista OEM or retail license for the machine in question then you cannot legally use your upgrade OS.

You might just as well go and download yourself a copy of Windows - you'll be just as legal.

I had to do this to install win7 even tho I do have a legal XP license (OEM).

If you are like me, and sometimes you delete or resize your windows partition (I have still only 1 hdd

), then your windows install is wiped (oh noes!)

Previously, you could have put in your license key from your old version to do a clean install. with win7, you have to do the "2 install shuffle".

For me it's legal; if you buy upgrade without having legal xp/vista, of course it isn't.