Can you upgrade your version of vista by changing the product key?

[DarkSIM18]

Hey everyone,

I currently have windows vista home premium installed on my system. I also
own a copy of windows vista ultimate that I got from my university. I know
that every vista CD comes all versions of vista on them and that all features
are installed on your system when you install vista but they are locked based
on the product key you enter. I was wondering if it's possible to unlock
these features by just changing the product key in the control panel or do
you have to do a full upgrade. I also checked out the windows anytime
upgrade but the only way to use that seems to be to purchase it first, it
doesn't seem to allow you to use that if you already have a key.

Ultimately, I just want to upgrade to vista ultimate without losing any of
my system settings and program functionality.

Any help would be greatly appreciated since I don't want to have to go
through the hassle of an upgrade or worse full install and have to reinstall
everything.

 

[Mick Murphy]

Have Home Premium running normally.
Just insert the ultimate DVD in the Drive, and do an upgrade from it.

You should keep all your Data and applications intact!
Definitely make a back up copy of your Data before starting!!!!!!!

Also, disable your anti-virus(preferably uninstall, then reinstall later if
you have the media for it) while upgrading.

Disconnect USB peripherals other then mouse and keyboard as well.

 

[Ian D]

Hey everyone,

I currently have windows vista home premium installed on my system. I
also
own a copy of windows vista ultimate that I got from my university. I
know
that every vista CD comes all versions of vista on them and that all
features
are installed on your system when you install vista but they are locked
based
on the product key you enter. I was wondering if it's possible to unlock
these features by just changing the product key in the control panel or do
you have to do a full upgrade. I also checked out the windows anytime
upgrade but the only way to use that seems to be to purchase it first, it
doesn't seem to allow you to use that if you already have a key.

Ultimately, I just want to upgrade to vista ultimate without losing any of
my system settings and program functionality.

Any help would be greatly appreciated since I don't want to have to go
through the hassle of an upgrade or worse full install and have to
reinstall
everything.

Vista only installs the files necessary for the version you are installing.
Vista Ultimate has the largest installation footprint as it has all
features.
You can do an upgrade installation from a retail upgrade, or full version
of Ultimate. If your Vista Ultimate is OEM you cannot upgrade, and
will have to do a clean install.