windows 7 license upgrade question

Magic_x_uk · 1 Feb 2012 at 16:18

Hi been asked to build a brand new pc for someone, they have a brand new un opened windows 7 32 bit UPGRADE.

Can this be at all used on a brand new build machine or not.

Didn't know if there was any difference or will a new win 7 os need to be purchased & if so, why?

Thanks

Pho · 1 Feb 2012 at 16:23

It's an upgrade copy but you don't have anything to upgrade from. I guess the only way around it would be to install a full copy of Vista say and upgrade that (though I guess this then means you can't use that Vista copy elsewhere as it'll be tied to the upgrade).

AshenShugar1873 · 1 Feb 2012 at 17:07

This has came up before, here was my previous reply.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18280554&highlight=windows+upgrade+username_AshenShugar1873

Hopefully that will be some use in deciding what your next step is.

Magic_x_uk · 1 Feb 2012 at 18:33

God it is confusing, I thought I'd just be able to stick any of my window 7 discs & use product key from upgrade box. Well I suppose I could build the new computer, stick a copy of vista on that I have (believe it is a recovery os disc) then do the upgrade win 7 on top, seems a long winded way to do it all.........

Pho · 2 Feb 2012 at 13:16

You could do that, but because you have an upgrade copy (e.g. to upgrade your current OS) not a full copy (no previous OS) you're going to be breaking the license and so it's not a legal way of doing it - presumably the Vista copy is an OEM version and therefore tied to the motherboard it was used on so you can't (legally) move it either.

To make it fully legal (as far as I know) you either need a full copy of Windows 7, or to upgrade from a full retail copy of Vista which was on that machine beforehand.

Magic_x_uk · 2 Feb 2012 at 13:25

hmm minefield.

tempted to stick one of my normal retail win 7 disc on and just use the product key from the upgrade disc if that would work. Or would that be classed as illegal and wouldnt work?

Pho · 2 Feb 2012 at 13:38

No idea if it'll work but it would still be 'illegal' because you have to sacrifice your OS copy to use an upgrade copy.

As you're building it for them you just need an OEM Windows 7 copy: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-127-MS&groupid=33&catid=1555&subcat=

It's a pain, I agree

.

AshenShugar1873 · 2 Feb 2012 at 22:31

It wouldn't work, not without the amendments to allow upgrade codes to work as fresh installs, which as mentioned aren't 'legal' as far as Microsoft are concerned. If you have an old version of Windows to upgrade from but don't want the hassle of an install then an upgrade the link I posted above has a discussion that may help, if you want to go down that road.

stoofa · 3 Feb 2012 at 09:18

You tell your friend to return the Upgrade version they have bought and to buy a full version.
Alternatively they supply you with the OS they are upgrading from.

These are your only two options for a legal installation of Windows.

ubersonic · 3 Feb 2012 at 11:16

You don't have to install Vista to install the upgrade version of 7, it can do a clean install because that's what is required when upgrading from XP, you can then register it an MS will never know you didn't upgrade from a previous version. Though this violates the upgrade license.