Windows 7 Upgrade FAQ
Windows 7 Upgrade Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between the upgrade and full version of Windows 7?
Windows 7 comes in either an upgrade version or full version and both Windows 7 upgrade and full versions contain the same Windows 7 features.
The upgrade version however requires that you have Windows XP or Windows Vista already installed on your computer before you can install Windows 7. The upgrade version of Windows 7 is also cheaper to purchase.
A Windows 7 full version does not require you to have a previous version of Windows installed on your computer and it cost more to purchase than an upgrade version. We personally feel it is worth spending the extra cash to get a full version of Windows 7 since the full version gives you more flexibility say in the event that you ever want to wipe or need to re-install your OS in the future.
Additional Info:
- If you are running an operating system older than Windows XP such as Windows 2000 or Millennium Edition for example, and you want to upgrade, you will need to purchase a full version of Windows 7 and run a custom install.
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What exactly is a Windows 7 upgrade installation?
A Windows 7 upgrade installation replaces your current version of Windows XP or Windows Vista with Windows 7 but only when upgrading Windows Vista can you retain your files, settings, and programs that are already installed on your PC.
Additional Info:
- A Windows 7 upgrade installation can be performed using either the upgrade or full version of Windows 7.
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What exactly is a custom/clean installation of Windows 7?
A custom/clean Windows 7 installation replaces your current version of Windows XP or Windows Vista however it does not retain your old files, settings or installed programs.
Additional Info:
- A Windows 7 custom/clean installation can also be performed using either the upgrade or full version of Windows 7.
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Where can I purchase a copy of Windows 7?
One great place to pick up a copy of the Windows 7 OS is your favorite local retailer such as Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, etc. Or browse over to your favorite online retailer such as Amazon and Newegg, or even purchase a CD direct from Microsoft's online store. Prices are also pretty consistent across the board so just jump on over to preferred partner.
Another option is to purchase and download Windows 7 online instead from Microsoft. This is a great way to install Windows 7 on a laptop for example that lacks a DVD/CD drive such as many of today’s super compact laptops or netbooks.
This download option will also allow you go start using Windows 7 right away for you won’t have to wait for the software in the mail or waste gas driving to your local store. Here is a link to Microsoft’s web store if you want to check out more about this option: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/shop
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Can I buy an upgrade version of Windows 7 and install it on my current Windows XP system?
Yes you can buy an upgrade version of Windows 7 and it install on your current Windows XP system, though you will need to perform a custom installation. An in place upgrade that retains all your installed programs, files, etc. on an XP system isn’t possible as it is with a Windows Vista to Windows 7 upgrade. So even though you can use a Windows 7 upgrade disk on an XP system you will still need to backup your files, installed programs, etc. to an external backup device before upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7.
Additional Info:
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Can I buy an upgrade version of Windows 7 and install it on my current Windows Vista system?
Yes you can buy an upgrade version of Windows 7 and in many cases even directly upgrade your existing Vista system to Windows 7. In some cases however you may need to perform a custom installation. For example upgrading from Windows Vista Home Basic to Windows 7 Professional will require you to perform a custom installation because you can only choose to run the Upgrade option if you’re upgrading to the equivalent or higher version of Windows 7. See table below for more info
List of Windows Vista editions and the Windows 7 edition that it can be directly upgraded to:
Your Current Version of Vista |
Your Windows 7 Upgrade Options |
Windows Vista Home Basic |
Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate |
Windows Vista Home Premium |
Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate |
Windows Vista Business |
Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate |
Windows Vista Ultimate |
Windows 7 Ultimate |
Additional Info:
- If you are running a 32 bit version of Windows Vista and want to install a 64 bit version of Windows 7 you will be required to perform a custom installation for an upgrade installation will not work. This also goes for a 64 bit version of Vista to a 32 bit version of Windows 7. For more details Microsoft has a very handy tutorial on how to upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 7 using a custom installation. Here is a direct link: Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 Using a Custom/Clean Installation
- To upgrade Windows operating systems earlier than Windows XP such as Windows 2000 or Millennium Edition, you will have to purchase a full version of Windows 7 and perform a custom installation.
- While less common, if you are running Windows Vista in one language and you want to upgrade to Windows 7 in a different language you will also have to perform a custom installation.
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Can an upgrade Windows 7 disc be used to install Windows 7 on a computer that does not have a current version of Windows installed?
Windows 7 upgrade discs were designed to be used on computers that have Windows XP or Windows Vista already installed.
The upgrade disc can however still be used to install Windows 7 on a computer that doesn’t have any operating system installed. Simply boot your computer using the upgrade disc and install Windows 7 using a custom/clean installation. Unfortunately while you can do this, your upgrade disc product key will not allow you to activate Windows and you will only have 30 days from the time of installation to activate Windows 7. Obviously this is not recommended unless of course you plan to make Microsoft more money by having to spend your hard earned cash on another windows 7 license. Doh!!!
If you do end up installing Windows 7 using a custom option via an upgrade disc you will receive either the Windows 7 activation error: invalid product key or the Windows 7 activation error: 0xC004F061 when you try to activate Windows 7. In a nutshell if you see one of these errors you will either have to purchase a full version license key from Microsoft as we previously mentioned, or reinstall either Windows Vista or Windows XP on your computer and then perform the Windows 7 upgrade using your upgrade disc. Check out the Windows 7 Installation Guide for more details on how to install Windows 7 using either the upgrade or custom option.
Also for additional information on Windows 7 product activation errors check out Microsoft’s Windows 7 activation error: invalid product key and the Windows 7 activation error: 0xC004F061 webpage for details.
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What are my options for installing windows 7 on a formatted hard drive?
Purchasing the full version of Windows 7 will allow you to install Windows 7 without any issue on any formatted hard drive.
The upgrade version of Windows 7 on the other hand will allow you to also install Windows 7 on a formatted hard drive, but the catch is that you have to boot off the upgrade disc, use the “Drive options (advanced)” option via a custom installation method and allow the Windows 7 setup to perform the formatting of the drive that contains your existing operating system.
If you take a brand new already formatted drive or one formatted by a 3rd party formatting program and try to install Windows 7 on that already formatted drive using the upgrade disc, your install will be successful, however you won't be able to use the upgrade product key to activate Windows 7 after the installation is completed.
On another note, even though you are using an upgrade disc, your data, settings, and currently installed programs will not be retained using a Windows 7 upgrade disc and this method for installation. If you have additional questions regarding installing Windows 7 on a formatted hard drive, definitely check out the Windows 7 Installation Guide for more details.
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