Windows 7 Upgrade: Good and Bad News...

Bodaggit23

Bodaggit23

Active Member
This is a couple of weeks old, but I haven't seen anything about it here so...

The Good News:
If you're running an activated copy of the Windows 7 RC,
you will be able to use the Upgrade disc to install Windows 7.
(sorry Speedy :rolleyes:)

The Bad News:
You can't do a fresh install using only the Upgrade disc like you
could with Vista, as Windows 7 installation requires an activated
version of Windows to install.

The Vista Upgrade disc would let you install a Trial of which ever
version you bought, and then it would allow you to upgrade from the trial.

This means if you were planning on saving some money on your new
build by just getting the Upgrade, you'll have to install a previous OS first.

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2009/07/a_major_windows_7_upgrade_question_gets_an_an.html
 
I'm still a bit conflicted after reading your Link

But there's a catch. If for some reason you later need to reinstall the finished version of Windows 7 from scratch using the upgrade copy you bought, you'll first need to install and activate Windows XP or Vista.

This is different from Windows Vista's installation procedure. Vista would let you install an older Windows OS, skip activation, and then install with an upgrade version. You can no longer skip activation when installing Windows 7 via an upgrade disk.

In other words, it's all about activation. The Windows 7 upgrade disk will need to see a valid activation - and that can include an activated copy of the release candidate - before it will install the operating system.
Click to expand...

It sounds to me like a Microsoft "upgrade" really wants you to have a prior purchased O/S first - and is giving you an option to "upgrade" one time if you have an activated O/S on your PC.

They are letting the RC slide as " activated copy " while it's active - but ultimately it will expire - and if you need to re-install for any reason - you will no longer have an " Activated Microsoft O/S " from which to install from. So if you hadn't already owned a prior XP or Vista - you'll have to purchase one in order to re-install the " upgrade " because your old RC will no longer be able to be " activated " once it's phased out in June or July of '10

It sounds like an OEM ( I'm guessing for comparable price ) version will be the best option moving forward for those who don't already own Vista or XP copy from which to upgrade.
 
Im glad we dont have the upgrade here in the Uk....because of that Internet explorer thing in Europe,we can only get full copys.....ive pre-oder mine already and cant wait.
 
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