Windows 7 upgrade or replacement?

[Paul H]

I have Vista Home Premium on 3 laptops. Last night I downloaded Windows 7.
I got a file that prompted me to let it be written on to a DVD. It also
gave me a key.

Can I install this under my Vista, without losing my applications? Or will
it wipe out my current Vista, applications and all?

And can I use it on more than one of my laptops if I like it?

TIA, Paul

 

[David B.]

If your not familiar with beta testing get rid of what ever you downloaded,
Windows 7 is not available to the general public yet, what you have is
likely the RC build. Wait till October, then go out and purchase a copy.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I have Vista Home Premium on 3 laptops. Last night I downloaded Windows
7. I got a file that prompted me to let it be written on to a DVD. It
also gave me a key.

Can I install this under my Vista, without losing my applications? Or
will it wipe out my current Vista, applications and all?

And can I use it on more than one of my laptops if I like it?

TIA, Paul

Did you download the release candidate? If it's the RC you will need to buy
retail copies to replace the RC before the RC expires in a few months. If
you are not sure then return to the download page and read it.

If the product key is for W7 Home Premium or higher then you can do an
upgrade and will not have to reinstall your apps. The product key is good
for only one computer.

You will need three different retail product keys to upgrade all of your
laptops permanently. The same dvd can be used for all three but the license
is tied to the product key and not the dvd.

The release candidate is prerelease software and will go into a reduced
functionality state on the expiration date.

 

[Chuck]

You neglected to mention where you downloaded win7 from. This can make a big
difference. Some Microsoft marketing & support programs have released win 7
(Non RC) for download. Major OEM's should have the gold version by now.

 

[Paul H]

Did you download the release candidate? If it's the RC you will need to
buy retail copies to replace the RC before the RC expires in a few months.
If you are not sure then return to the download page and read it.

If the product key is for W7 Home Premium or higher then you can do an
upgrade and will not have to reinstall your apps. The product key is good
for only one computer.

You will need three different retail product keys to upgrade all of your
laptops permanently. The same dvd can be used for all three but the
license is tied to the product key and not the dvd.

The release candidate is prerelease software and will go into a reduced
functionality state on the expiration date.

Thank you Colin,
I did the download from the Microsoft site. I said 32 bit. Maybe it knew I
was running Vista Home Premium. I understand that I will need to buy the
released copy by June 10. 2010. No problem. But it says I cannot slide it
in under my applications - it must be a new install. Bummer. Maybe only
"ultimate" can do what I hoped. My main, urgent concern is that I have what
I need, since today is the last day of availability. I believe I have a
boot disk that will install W7, and the key to use. Thanks, Paul

 

[Bob Knowlden]

If you downloaded the RC and a license key, the key is for the Ultimate
version.

You ought to be able to install the RC as an upgrade-in-place over Vista
Home Premium. However, you'd have a problem if you wanted to install the
release version of Win7 over the RC. The release version isn't supposed to
be installed as as upgrade over the pre-released versions. (There's a
work-around for that, but it involves creating a modified version of the
install DVD.) Aside from that, you won't be permitted to upgrade-in-place to
Win7 Home Premium or Professional over the Ultimate version of the RC. You
could upgrade-in-place to Win7 Ultimate (using the hack). Expensive, though.

You may prefer to wait until you can get a Win7 Home Premium upgrade
license. You would be permitted to upgrade-in-place Vista Home Premium, as
long as you're staying with 32 bit.

I still suggest a clean install, though, even though it's more work.

 

[Paul H]

Bob,
I don't have all the installed applications - some I downloaded, some I've
lost track of the install CDs. I don't mind having to start over next year.
Is W7 stable enuf to use day-in day-out?
What key will I use if the one I received is for ultimate? It just says
it's the key I will need for my evaluation copy of W7 RC 32-bit- no mention
of ultimate.
Thanks, Paul

 

[Bob Knowlden]

The keys given out with the RC are *all* for the Ultimate version.

I believe that there were only 10 distinct keys altogether. They've been
posted to the Web.

You can use one key for multiple installations. I think that a limited
number of installations (maybe 5) for a single person was specified by
Microsoft, but you can ignore it.

IMHO, the RC is stable enough for everyday use, if not completely perfect.
There are some driver issues, but it's probably in better shape than Vista
was at retail launch (January 2007). Win7 can usually use Vista drivers,
although some require work-arounds to bypass version checking by the
installer. Some of the graphics card makers (nVidia, ATI) have released WHQL
drivers for their cards. If your hardware supports Vista, it's probably safe
to go to Win7.

Naturally, a lot of people are considering upgrading from XP. That includes
people with no Vista drivers for some of their hardware. Disappointment is
likely to result.

Bob,
I don't have all the installed applications - some I downloaded, some I've
lost track of the install CDs. I don't mind having to start over next
year.
Is W7 stable enuf to use day-in day-out?
What key will I use if the one I received is for ultimate? It just says
it's the key I will need for my evaluation copy of W7 RC 32-bit- no
mention of ultimate.
Thanks, Paul

(snip)

 

[Dave T.]

Bob,
I don't have all the installed applications - some I downloaded, some
I've lost track of the install CDs. I don't mind having to start over
next year.
Is W7 stable enuf to use day-in day-out?
What key will I use if the one I received is for ultimate? It just
says it's the key I will need for my evaluation copy of W7 RC 32-bit-
no mention of ultimate.
Thanks, Paul

What you downloaded is the Ultimate version, but it can be changed to
whatever version you want by modifying the file and then burning the
..iso after the mod. See this;

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/090820/

Of course, I procrastinated and attempted to get my copy today...I got
the 32 bit version, but when I tried to get the 64 bit version, they
slammed the door on me.

Dave T.

 

[Muad'Dib]

I have Vista Home Premium on 3 laptops. Last night I downloaded Windows
7. I got a file that prompted me to let it be written on to a DVD. It
also gave me a key.

Can I install this under my Vista, without losing my applications? Or
will it wipe out my current Vista, applications and all?

And can I use it on more than one of my laptops if I like it?

TIA, Paul

The last I read, you could NOT use the RC to do an upgrade without
jumping through some pretty technical hoops, and even then Microsoft
advises not to do it. The RC is intended for a CLEAN install. Some have
dedicated machines for testing, some have dual, and even triple booted
by creating space on an existing hard drive, some have just installed it
in a virtual machine to check it out. I prefer not to do the virtual
machine bit in order to do REAL world testing. I am triple booting XP,
Vista Ultimate, and Win 7 by having a second hard drive dedicated for
Win 7. It's all up to you how you want to do it. You will have to buy a
copy when it becomes available Oct 22 to do an easy in place upgrade,
not having to jump through technical hoops. Furthermore, as stated, the
RC expires and your upgrade would loose functionality, and then quit all
together. Why on earth anyone would want to deal with that having
upgraded their every day main OS is beyond me.

In the end, I think you will like it. I am so sure of this one I, for
the first time ever, pre-purchased a copy.

G'day

 

[Saucy]

If you *need* Windows 7 for testing or development, get a Technet or MSDN
subscription. A Technet subscription gives you access to a wide range of
Microsoft software (including all the versions Windows including and since
XP, SQL Server, recent and current versions of Office and much and many
more) and enables you to poke and prod the stuff. It is a less expensive
subscription than the MSDN subscription because an MSDN subscription also
includes the development tools such as full versions of Visual Studio. As
well, with the MSDN subscription they [Microsoft] probably still send you
stuff like DVDs and handy CD cases etc. With both subscriptions you get a
subscription to a magazine, and answers from Microsoft people if you post a
question in these newsgroups and forums.

Note though: the licensing for any particular MSDN/Technet software is
different from the license (EULA) for a Microsoft retail or OEM software.
With Technet and MSDN, the softwares are tied to *you*, not the machines;
and you may not use the software as "production" software i.e. you may not
use your MSDN copy of SQL Server to power your company's main database - it
is meant for *your* own testing / peeking / developing / checking / prodding
/ coding / and scripting purposes and not for the whole company. As the
license is tied to *you*, you shouldn't give copies away to your family and
friends neither -- but you can install a software on several machines for
your own developing and technical purposes.

I've purchased both Technet and MSDN subscriptions and currently have a
Technet subscription. I think they are a great deal for someone who is
"into" Microsoft software and needs access to a range of it.

Saucy

 

[William Vaughn \(MVP\)]

Ah, there are several schools of thought. When you install over an existing
OS you get the benefit of having some (most) of the applications work when
you finish the install. That's also the problem. If you don't start from
scratch, you'll have a system that's "contaminated" with several years worth
of useless detritus and files that can confuse the new OS and compromise
stability and security. I've done both. Frankly there are benefits of each
approach. In one case I had to start over from scratch as the problems that
came up (which turned out to be simple) did not seem solvable at the time.
In another case the conversion went fine and while I had to reinitialize
some applications, most of them work fine. I've been installing Windows
since 1985 so I kinda know what I'm talking about. I believe in image
backups so you can safely go back to the starting point and re-think your
strategy.

good luck.

--
__________________________________________________________________________
William R. Vaughn
President and Founder Beta V Corporation
Author, Mentor, Dad, Grandpa
Microsoft MVP
(425) 556-9205 (Pacific time)
Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition)
http://betav.com http://betav.com/blog/billva
____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[Saucy]

Yes, imaging enables you to quickly get back to square one w/o going through
endless hours of installing. And now that I'm developing again I'm using
virtual machines on top of that! Create a whole set, trade 'em and play 'em
lol

Seriously though, it makes things much more expedient.

Saucy

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Ah, there are several schools of thought. When you install over an
existing OS you get the benefit of having some (most) of the applications
work when you finish the install. That's also the problem. If you don't
start from scratch, you'll have a system that's "contaminated" with
several years worth of useless detritus and files that can confuse the new
OS and compromise stability and security. I've done both. Frankly there
are benefits of each approach. In one case I had to start over from
scratch as the problems that came up (which turned out to be simple) did
not seem solvable at the time. In another case the conversion went fine
and while I had to reinitialize some applications, most of them work fine.
I've been installing Windows since 1985 so I kinda know what I'm talking
about. I believe in image backups so you can safely go back to the
starting point and re-think your strategy.

good luck.

--
__________________________________________________________________________
William R. Vaughn
President and Founder Beta V Corporation
Author, Mentor, Dad, Grandpa
Microsoft MVP
(425) 556-9205 (Pacific time)
Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition)
http://betav.com http://betav.com/blog/billva
____________________________________________________________________________________________

The OS is a clean install regardless of clean or upgrade (unlike XP and
earlier) due to the use of imaging instead of file copying. However, if the
advice of the upgrade advisor is ignored then there will be software issues.
But at least there are no leftover bits of the old OS left behind to mess up
the new OS.

 

[Paul H]

Bob,
I did download the W7 I received. It took the ultimate key. It says it is
the ultimate version. I put it on an old Acer laptop that had multiple
problems - no internet, folders coming and going, etc. I thought my
hardware was bad. Everything works now - W7 fixed it all. But various
things I don't like. Can't put many things on the lower left quick launch
line. Strange, hard to understand Windows Explorer - I just want folders
and files, not the groups they show me. I use two monitors, where I can use
them separately - not under W7! Where can I look to read about things like
this? Is there an on-line user manual? Thanks, Paul

 

[Saucy]

Some of the online magazines are criticizing Microsoft for this, but I think
it is a good idea for your reason there and for the, well, fact .. fact that
many systems running XP are infected with some sort of malware. A clean
install will send a lot of malware to the bit bucket for good.

Saucy

 

[Anon]

I have Vista Home Premium on 3 laptops. Last night I downloaded Windows
7. I got a file that prompted me to let it be written on to a DVD. It
also gave me a key.

Can I install this under my Vista, without losing my applications? Or
will it wipe out my current Vista, applications and all?

And can I use it on more than one of my laptops if I like it?

TIA, Paul

From what I saw on-line, Microsoft has closed the window on Windows 7
RC downloads, but you can still get product keys.

I recently put Windows 7 RC on my wife's laptop. I backed up her My
Documents folder, and her Thunderbird e-mail profile to an external hard
drive.

Then I removed her Vista Home Premium hard drive and put it away,
installed a new hard drive, and installed Windows 7 RC on that. Then I
copied the documents folder and profile from the Vista installation to
the new Windows 7 installation.

As it turns out she likes Windows 7, but if she had hated it all I would
have had to do to revert to Vista would be to swap the drives.

I also bought 2 Windows 7 Home Premium updates when they were on sale
for $49.99, so when they come in a couple months, I'll upgrade her to that.

If you have three computers that you want to upgrade you should consider
the Windows Family pack.

"The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available starting on October 22nd
until supplies last here in the US and other select markets. In the US,
the price for the Windows 7 Family Pack will be $149.99 for 3 Windows 7
Home Premium licenses. That’s a savings of more than $200 for three
licenses."

 

[Dave T.]

From what I saw on-line, Microsoft has closed the window on Windows 7
RC downloads, but you can still get product keys.

I recently put Windows 7 RC on my wife's laptop. I backed up her My
Documents folder, and her Thunderbird e-mail profile to an external hard
drive.

Then I removed her Vista Home Premium hard drive and put it away,
installed a new hard drive, and installed Windows 7 RC on that. Then I
copied the documents folder and profile from the Vista installation to
the new Windows 7 installation.

As it turns out she likes Windows 7, but if she had hated it all I would
have had to do to revert to Vista would be to swap the drives.

I also bought 2 Windows 7 Home Premium updates when they were on sale
for $49.99, so when they come in a couple months, I'll upgrade her to that.

If you have three computers that you want to upgrade you should consider
the Windows Family pack.

"The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available starting on October 22nd
until supplies last here in the US and other select markets. In the US,
the price for the Windows 7 Family Pack will be $149.99 for 3 Windows 7
Home Premium licenses. That’s a savings of more than $200 for three
licenses."

Question; 2 of my machines are 32 bit, and 1 is 64 bit. Would the family
pack cover this, or would I have to buy separate licenses?

Dave T.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Question; 2 of my machines are 32 bit, and 1 is 64 bit. Would the family
pack cover this, or would I have to buy separate licenses?

Dave T.

I don't think that level of detail concerning the scope of the Family Pack
has been published yet.

The way Vista worked, when you bought anything but Ultimate you only got the
32-bit dvd in the package but could order a 64-bit dvd from Microsoft for
$10. The same product code worked on both platforms so you installed the
version you wanted by using the desired dvd.

I am hoping that all Win7 boxes will include both dvds and not just Ultimate
as it was with Vista.