Windows 7 Upgrade Info And Pricing Thread

We simply don't know yet about your last question, all we can do is make a guess based on previous versions of Windows.

With regards to your other question - I imagine though that you can at any time go back to using Vista.

 

Agreed, at worst the activation will fail, but a call at Microsoft activation (the 800 number will be provided to you) will fix that, as they will give you a number that you type in and that will make it activat your Vista installation.
All they will ask you is: why? and ask you if you installed YOUR Windows that you are activating over the phone on more than 1 computer (because you can't). If you answer yes, then will not give you the activation code, and will tell you that you need to pick your system where you want windows, or can purchase a new license. If you answer no, then the activation code will be provided. If you answer no, and the real answer is yes, Windows activation will be deactivate the other system, from what I was told (I never tried).

 

Installing Windows 7 does not void your Windows Vista's, or any other version of Windows', license. Therefore, you will be able to roll back to a previous Operating System of your choice by performing a clean installation.

Similarly, rolling back to Vista or another version of Windows does not void your Windows 7 license. So you can upgrade back to Windows 7 from another compatible version of Windows anytime.

 

The official upgrade path is now available from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=e170eba1-5bab-401f-bbf5-00f0ee7fe0fb

 

Cool, good read. Thanks for posting.

EDIT: I added the link to the "Upgrading W7" section of the sticky.

 

omg:

"Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported."

What exactly does this mean? Is the significance from the word 'in-place'? You can still do x86-to-x64 right (Vista--->Win7)?

 

There is significance to the word 'in-place'. This means that you can upgrade without doing a full clean installation.

What the entire comment means is that to change from a 32bit operating system to a 64bit operating system, you will need to do a full installation rather than an upgrade.

 

Ok let me try to clear this up.
Windows 7 UPGRADE means "I have legit copy of Windows 2000 or XP or Vista of any edition, version, shape or form, and I want to UPGRADE my license to Windows 7"
Now what the document you read (posted above), from Microsoft, says all the possible path for you to be able to change your Windows to Windows 7, so that you DO NOT REQUIRE at any point of the procedure to backup/restore your data, re-install all your software and re-configure them (if configuration is required).

Windows Full version means "This is a computer does NOT have (or not supported by the upgrade edition) a legit version of Windows. And I would like to have one." I read a stat from an article at some point in time that retail full version of Windows forms about 5-10% (I forgot the exact number, but it was some low percentage) of Windows sells. Upgrade and OEM disk is what sold the most. I can't find the source of this document... :/

See Windows Upgrade option, as some form of thank you from Microsoft for having a legit copy of Windows, and staying with Windows.

For the upgrading system this is how I THINK (I have no actual facts on how the process works in details.. this is JUST my personal observations, so all this can be and most likely, B.S) how Windows performs the upgrade. It moves all non-windows files (so documents, music, movie, video's, and so on; as well Windows registry) to a folder called Windows.old. Then it scans the NTFS partition and update it to the latest version of NTFS, if it's not already the case. Then, it starts performing the new Windows installation. Once done, it copies all the files from Windows.old to the same path they were under the previous version of Windows. Then it looks trough the old version of Windows registry, scans for non-Windows items and extract them, and add them to the new Windows registry.
I don't know how it works for the drivers.. does it use Vista drivers? does it upgrade to Win7 drivers once you run Win7 for the first from Windows update? I have no idea...
Now, the reason why it can't upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit has to do with the registry and possibly drivers. As for the inability to upgrade from 2000/XP to Win7, one can assume that it's because the file path of user profile and where program store information is very different and that program can break during transfer.

Now all this information said about the upgrade license (that means exclude the 'how windows performs the upgrade') is my personal understanding from my call to Microsoft pre-sale department. So don't cry, kill or sue me because if the info is wrong... If you want to be sure or get the latest info on this topic, you better call Microsoft pre-sale department.

I hope this helps.
Remember, that we will never know for sure until Windows official version is released. I would also take to a grain of salt all rumors and "unknown/anonymous person that claims that he/she works at Microsoft" as this can be anyone claiming that he works at Microsoft, and this also beg the question of: assuming he/she works at Microsoft, does he/she works on Windows, or just overheard from comment in the middle of a discussion, or just plane lying.

 

Okay. I am so confused. So if I'm using Windows 7 RC (32 bit), I can just get the Upgrade Version of Windows 7 Home Premium (32 bit) for $119.99? Is upgrading a clean install or does clean install mean the Retail Version of W7 HP?

Also, how do you create an image? I vaguely remember doing it. Don't you need a program (usually boot by CD) and external hard drive? That would be useful especially if somehow my computer dies.

One last thing that's slightly off topic. When Google Chrome OS comes out, will I be able to dual boot it with W7? I tried to dual boot Linux with XP, and it destroyed my XP (I couldn't get onto XP after installing Linux).

Thanks.

 

Did you read what I said? Please read again!
Clean install DOES NOT mean Windows 7 full, it just means what I explained above.

If you want to do it in Windows, you need Windows 7 Professional or Enterprise or Ultimate edition (Enterprise = Ultimate edition, but you but it in great quantity 1000+ I think). If you go with Home Premium you need an additional software which does that

Why would anyone use an OS that only has a web browser, where you just use Google online software that you can access yourself. It's using Linux so performance and everything else should match or be close.
Anyway, yes you can, like any other OS.

The reason why Linux failed is because the distribution you selected of Linux was too stupid to check if another operating system existed and add it to the boot manager. If this happens to Vista/Win7 you can repair the boot manager from the running a repair startup from Windows Vista/7 setup disk.

 

Here's what I got when I emailed microsoft:

what happened when I emailed MS

 

Dunno if this has been brought up in the past 6 pages since I am too lazy to read a lot of text without many colorful pictures but:

upgrading from here is free since you do not have to pay the MFR shipping - And that is a Microsoft site. For that site, any upgrade coupon code will work!

 

look at the link i posted.

 

hehehe,,,sorry, I did say that I did not really read the rest of the forum after pg 2 since I have a severe case of Chronic Lazyitus (Im just really () lazy )

 

Just outta curiosity, now all the pre order units have sold out as far as i can tell, could someone buy a copy of windows vista and get the windows 7 upgrade for free? (amazon are advertising this at the moment, infact according to amazons site your eligable to get the full win7 from a windows vista home premium upgrade dvd) is this accurate?

 

Are you talking about? We can't read your mind. Please provide a link so that we can help you.

 

You must be talking about this:

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_lin..._rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=482890751&pf_rd_i=windows 7

If you buy a retail copy of Vista Home Premium, Ultimate, or Business right now, you can get a Windows 7 upgrade for $9.99. That program is offered by Microsoft, which you can see here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/offers/upgrade-option.aspx

 

It's actually free.. the $9.99 is shipping cost, which may vary.

 

No, you'd pay the $9.99 shipping from Microsoft. Just like Amazon says: " Buy Windows Vista Today, Get Windows 7 for $9.99
If you purchase full or upgrade versions of Windows Vista, on or after June 26, you will qualify for a Windows 7 Upgrade at the reduced price of $9.99. Please visit www.windows.com/upgradeoffers for full details."


$80 for the Vista Home Premium upgrade and another $10 for the Win7 upgrade to the equivalent level of Win7. I guess it's a little cheaper than directly buying the $120 non-discounted Win7 upgrade. Still much better to have ordered the discounted upgrade when the opportunity was there.

 

Hi all have tried to run Win 7 Upgrade Advisor beta Ed. It downloaded fine. I tried to run it, my L/T fell on it's B Fat A & I've emailed M/S as requested by the Advisor. (L/T is Acer Aspire 5720 2Gb RAM x 32 bit O/S Win Vista Hm Prem). Has anyone else encountered this prob? Also what is the price in Au for upgrading to 7 Hm Prem pls? Thanks Min.

 

Your lazy typing, doesn't make me want to answer your question.
Learn how to respect the readers!

 

well what about registering for the upgrade from the laptop manufacturer? that is what i did with my Asus. though i am still a little confused on the proof of purchase thing. i made a separate topic on that.

 

So, right now on my Acer 3810T I am using Vista Home Premium 64-bit. I know I can upgrade to 7 RC now and after the upgrade install all will be well, all programs still there. In October when my 7 upgrade disk arrives, can I then do another upgrade with that disk from the RC to final, without loosing anything?

 

Sorry, no. Maybe a hack will exists. But, I personally dont' recommend it to assure that no bugs form the RC edition gets transferred to the full. I don;t think it will, but you never know.

 

I'm not going to try, since my question was answered. Miss using 7 though.

 

Officially announced prices for Windows Anytime Upgrades.

Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium: $79.99 · €74.99 · £69.99
Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Professional: $114.99 · €184.99 · £119.99
Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Ultimate: $164.99 · €204.99 · £139.99
Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional: $89.99 · €179.99 · £119.99
Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate: $139.99 · €189.99 · £124.99
Windows 7 Professional to Windows 7 Ultimate: $129.99 · €134.99 · £84.99

Official price for Family Pack: $149.99 in US (such an awesome deal, basically $50/ea)/$199.99 in CAN

 

If some are curious about some new features in windows 7, here is an article published by popular mechanics and discusses Steve Ballmer's (CEO of Microsoft) keynote at the 2009 international Consumer Electronics Show.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4298460.html

p.s. What is RC, FSB and OEM??? (eh newbie)

 

Pff only talking about the really big features of Win7... Win7 has significant amount of new features, improvement and bug fixes.

 

Does anyone know the answer to this question:

If I order a laptop with Vista installed with the Free upgrade to Win 7, can I install Win 7 from scratch without first having Vista installed?

In other words, say I am using Win 7 for some time, things get screwed up and I need to reinstall Win 7. Do I need to first reinstall Vista in order to get a fresh clean install of Win 7? How does it work?

Thanks.

 

I think so. Could be quite a good thing to grab a new computer while the deal is still on, so you actually get Windows 7 on a disc, as well as Vista.

 

The free windows 7 upgrade discs the manufacturers send out will probably contain OEM images. Thus, unless they complement these with recovery disks, there's probably no way of altering the recovery partition for vista that's already installed.

 

Hi all,

I have a question concerning the upgrade process in Europe.
I guess you have heard about the anti-trust regulation/European Union/Internet Explorer.
Recently I saw written somewhere that because of it people living in Europe will be obligated to do a full clean installation.
(I have tried but didnt manage to find where I read it)

Do you know anything more about it?

Will we (folks living in Europe that is) be obligated to do clean installs or we could opt for the upgrade?

Tnx

 

Microsoft has already officially announced that they will not be shipping out a Windows 7 E version, meaning that in-place upgrades are possible. The most that will happen is a ballot screen will appear with a choice of browsers to install. Otherwise, if that is not confirmed by those concerning parties, Internet Explorer will again be the default browser. All Windows 7 copies in Europe will be the same as the ones released to the rest of the world. Thus, upgrade discs will also be available. However, the offer for upgrade price on full retail copies is no longer available.

 

Do you have any links for this, because this is news to me. I was given to understand that Microsoft could not supply Internet Explorer with windows 7 in Europe, and therefore the inplace upgrade would not be available.

 

I'm sure there are other similar articles, but here's the one I could find right now. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10301299-56.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1

References the same article, but eh. http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/08/01/microsoft-scraps-windows-7-e-version-for-europe

 

OK, so it's not confirmed, but it looks like it might happen as long as their ballot screen proposal is accepted. That's a much better option imho

 

Here's a much more in-depth explanation, along with the original statement.

http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/...1/windows-7-and-browser-choice-in-europe.aspx

 

Tnx Morizche, pretty reliable info there.

 

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/08/24/update-on-windows-7-in-europe.aspx

 

wasn't the idea of windows 7 not being available as an update in europe, a sort of revenge, for them forcing microsoft to provide other web browsers with their OS? While apple does not offer other browsers?

that is what i heard.

Hmm... as to a european solution, can you get technet? then you can get it all, its a bit more pricy but might be worth investigating

 

That is what people ASSUMED. Microsoft just followed what was ruled on them, and the first decision was done without research. After talking and research with the Windows dev team engineers, computer scientists, project manager, I suppose, they saw that upgrade was possible and they had the time to make it happen with a lot of testing to ensure proper function of the upgrade system.

 

is the family pack released somewhere to pre-buy ?

 

Not to my knowledge. I ready that it will be 150$ in the US upon release (3 Home Premium upgrade licenses). Only 1x Home Premium Update is 129$ U.S

 

Hi. I have a quick question regarding the upgrade path from Vista Home Premium 32-bit -> 7 Home Premium 32-bit. I was wondering if I can perform a clean install with the upgrade disc when it gets released (I prefer it that way)?

 

Yes you can. A clean install will always be an option provided you are installing on a PC that already has a version of Windows.

 

Ok thanks. I got the impression from that 'chart' they released a while ago that you couldn't do a clean install from one 32-bit to another of the same version.

But does this mean every time I need to reformat my hard drive I have to install Vista first? If that's the case doesn't it keep some information from the previous installation. Like the serial code which I don't know why we can't just input it in ourselves then.

 

You probably will only need to insert your Vista disk or type in your Vista key, but my suggestion is that once you've clean installed and have everything setup that you like (office, games etc) then make an image of your drive at that point with something like Acronis Trueimage. Saves a lot of time in the future.

 

Good advice, but no need on all editions. If you have Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate, they already include system image maker/restore called Windows Complete Backup & Restore.

 

vista business>>windows 7 professional, any idea what the upgrade pricing is gonna be like and where i can score a good deal? im based in the UK but also travel quite a bit to singapore and malaysia....list prices for OS tend to be lower in asia (to try and discourage people from buying pirated discs) but we dont get the same "sale" deals that the online vendors etc have in the west, so advice would be much appreciated as i'm really looking forward to win7!!

 

You can pre-order your Win7 today.
http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows-7-Professional-Upgrade

You miss the 50% off Professional edition special and 68% off Home Premium Upgrade. All boxes (upgrade and full) feature both 32-bit and 64-bit version (1 on each disk)