Upgrading from Win XP Home to Win XP Professional

[Guest]

I put together my own computer at the beginning of 2005 and thought that Win
XP Home would be a sufficient operating system. Now I believe that I need
Win XP Professional. Is it possible to upgrade Home to Professional without
it being considered a regular upgrade? I purchased the full OEM Home version
at the time I built the computer.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The only upgrade paths is with a retail Windows XP Pro full version or
upgrade version.
Windows XP Pro OEM will perform a Clean Installation only, no upgrade.

What do you feel you need in Pro?
Windows XP Home and Pro are identical in performance and stability.
The major differences are additional options in networking and security.
Most Pro features are not used by most home users:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I put together my own computer at the beginning of 2005 and
thought
that Win XP Home would be a sufficient operating system. Now I
believe that I need Win XP Professional.

Why? XP Professional and XP Home are exactly the same in all
respects, except that Professional has a few features (mostly
related to networking and security) missing from Home. For most
(but not all) home users, even those with a home network, these
features aren't needed, would never be used, and buying
Professional instead of Home is a waste of money.
For details go to

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

Also note that Professional allows ten concurrent network
connections, and Home only five.

Is it possible to upgrade
Home to Professional without it being considered a regular
upgrade?

I'm not sure what you're asking here. If you're asking whether
there's a special, cheaper upgrade version to go from Home to
Professional, no there isn't. But you can use the regular XP
Professional upgrade.

 

[Semper]

Can Windows XP Pro OEM perform a repair install?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

What type of OEM?
If it is the generic OEM typically sold with a piece of hardware such as
power cord or memory stick, yes.
If OEM from Dell, Gateway, Compaq etc, then it depends on how the OEM has
set up their CDs.
Contact the manufacturer for details about your specific CD.

 

[Semper]

The generic non branded version
thanks for answering so quickly.
I have found I get better support for questions here in the newsgroup
than from MS support.
I have had a few tickets from MS support that left me with my unsolved
mystery till I started investigating a few of these well supported
groups.
Thank all you volunter MVPs

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Then yes, you should be easily be able to perform a Repair Installation.
IIRC, the only functional difference between your OEM and retail is you can
not perform an upgrade from a previous OS where a retail version can.

 

[Guest]

I think I want XP Professional for the Remote Desktop function. That is, I
want to log in to THAT computer without having to buy additional software
like PC Anywhere. I am now of the thought that I might be able to legally
remove Home from the new computer and get a new OEM Pro version to install on
the new computer. Then I'd use the Home version on a laptop running ME.
I've been meaning to upgrade it anyway. Yes, I kind of understand it won't
be an upgrade. It would be a new install. If I understand this correctly,
I'd have to reinstall all of my software on both computers since both would
be new installs. And of course back up all of my data. I'll have to learn a
bit more about that part of it. The part about removing from one computer
and using on another computer worries me since I am not certain that it is
allowed and therefore may not work. I only want to do it if it is acceptable
to Microsoft but it would keep me from "wasting" my purchase of the Home
Edition. Thanks for everyone's help. I'm new at all this but having fun
trying.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I think I want XP Professional for the Remote Desktop function. That is, I
want to log in to THAT computer without having to buy additional software
like PC Anywhere.

Then the WinXP Pro Upgrade license is what you need to purchase.

I am now of the thought that I might be able to legally
remove Home from the new computer and get a new OEM Pro version to install on
the new computer. Then I'd use the Home version on a laptop running ME.

You'll need to buy a new license for the laptop. By your own
admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP Home. An OEM version
must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a motherboard or hard
rive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_ bound to the first PC on
which it's installed. An OEM license, once installed, is not legally
transferable to another computer under _any_ circumstances.


......

The part about removing from one computer
and using on another computer worries me since I am not certain that it is
allowed and therefore may not work. I only want to do it if it is acceptable
to Microsoft but it would keep me from "wasting" my purchase of the Home
Edition.

It's good that you asked _before_ making the attempt. What you're
contemplating is a clear violation of the OEM EULA.





--

Bruce Chambers

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