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    Windows 7 upgrading newbie question

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by rajesh.shenoy, Oct 3, 2009.

  1. rajesh.shenoy

    rajesh.shenoy Newbie

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    I have a new laptop with Vista64 Home Premium OEM version on it. My laptop manufacturer is sending me a Win7 OEM Home Premium DVD about a month after Win7 GA (Oct 22).

    Now, sometime this week, I am also getting a Win7 Ultimate from Microsoft for hosting the launch party. Needless to say, I'm on pins and needles to try it out, and have the laptop ready for the party on Oct 22nd.

    Question: Can I Technically (and legally) follow this "upgrade" path: Vista Home Premium OEM -> Win7 Ultimate Retail -> Win7 Home Premium OEM?

    I would like to do this for 2 reasons:
    1. The Win7 OEM is tied to the laptop (legally) so I have to use it on that only, if I have to use it at all. And I want to respect that legality.
    2. I want to later re-use the Win7 Ultimate on my desktop PC. (This is also perfectly legal since I will have removed it from my laptop in the third step.)

    I guess my question now boils down to the technicality of the third step. Is that technically possible at all? Or is there a better solution?

    Thanks!
    - Rajesh
     
    rajesh.shenoy, Oct 3, 2009
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  2. sgilmore62

    sgilmore62 uber doomer

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    A product key is a product key regardless of the machine it is used on, however once it is used on a machine it can't be reused on another machine--it can be reused on the same machine.

    My suggestion is that if you want to install Win7 ultimate on your laptop for the purposes of the party then do not enter the product key for activation, save it for your desktop--the OS will still work on your laptop for 30 days and can be extended with a hack for 2 more 30 day periods.
     
    sgilmore62, Oct 3, 2009
    #2