Wasn't there a discussion on how to upgrade from vista to 7 for free?

I remember we have to use the same key as on Vista and can only go from Vista Home to 7 home, Vista Business to 7 Business...etc. But I can't locate that discussion anywhere now.

I just realize that I have a Vista Business, but when I install Windows 7, it doesn't have the 7 Business version to choose from. It has "Starter", "Home Basic", "Home Premium", "Professional", and "Ultimate".

I am confused Do I choose "Professional" instead?

 

So I chose to install the 7 Professional and entered the key from Vista Business. Well, that didn't work.

I have a legitimate full version Vista Business disc/product key...the W7 disc that I burned is a full version too (I believe). What should I do now?

 

That's not how it works. You could get a free upgrade to Windows 7 when you bought a qualifying Vista system right before 7 launched, but that was the only time it was possible.

 

I just reinstall Win 7 Home Premium using Vista Home Premium key. Still no go.

How come neither of you recall the thread about upgrading to 7 with Vista Key? It was a big discussion and lots of download links too. Or was it at another forum...sub-forum?

 

That was never possible in the way you imagine now.

When people were using the free upgrade option, they received new license keys in mail along with the DVD.

 

The only time you could do this is where the system was equiped in bios with the proper SLIC. This made Windows think it was being installed as an OEM install. There were some that even modded the SLIC version in bios. The other was as mentioned where M$ had an outside vendor send out Win7 copy's with proper license to be upgraded.

 

1) When did you buy your copy of Vista, or your laptop if it came with Vista?
2) Did you register with Microsoft during the promotional period?
3) Did you ever recieve anything in the mail from Microsoft?

There was a ~6 month window back in 2009 where what you're thinking of was possible, and all 3 of the above steps would have had to fall under and be completed within that 6 month window for you to qualify. As the others have said, the free upgrade was neither unconditional nor was it eternally available.

 

My memory could serve me wrong, that's entirely possible. That's why I want to revisit that thread again...but I think it has been deleted since.

 

Actually it is against TOS of the forum to discuss uprading a system where the EULA is not properly attained. The only free upgrade was, as mentioned, where it was provided by M$ for systems purchased with Vista durring a certain time period. The only other "FREE" upgrade was done where a system was spec'd to run Windows 7 but was sold with Vista.

This again happened on systems with the proper SLiC version. If memory serves that was 2.1 in bios. When you use a Windows install disk on those systems Windows itself installed as an OEM so the M$ sticker on the back covered the Win7 install.

Now there was a thread for those that had systems not with the proper SLiC and some people offered hacks for the bios for systems that should have had it. The fact you are trying to upgrade and the system stops you means you probably have the older (Vista) SLiC table in bios.......................

here is a thread about a dell, maybe this will explain it all better.

DELL M1330 SLIC 2.1 BIOS mod flash - Guides & Tutorials