u/g home premium to pro w/pro disc, non-destructively?

[Mike S]

If I purchase a Pro disc can I u/g my Home Premium by inserting the disc
and having it recognize the existing installation, without it blowing
away all of my programs, settings, data, etc.?

 

[Paul]

If I purchase a Pro disc can I u/g my Home Premium by inserting the disc
and having it recognize the existing installation, without it blowing
away all of my programs, settings, data, etc.?

You probably want this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Anytime_Upgrade

The files for all five versions of the OS, are already on
the hard drive. When you purchase an Anytime Upgrade key,
and kick it off, the installation process links a few extra
files from the "store" to the Windows folder.

Just make a backup of C: first, in case it doesn't go
smoothly. I don't think it is quite as traumatic as adding
SP1 service pack to the system, but you should still be prepared
for anything.

Paul

 

[Paul]

You probably want this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Anytime_Upgrade

The files for all five versions of the OS, are already on
the hard drive. When you purchase an Anytime Upgrade key,
and kick it off, the installation process links a few extra
files from the "store" to the Windows folder.

Just make a backup of C: first, in case it doesn't go
smoothly. I don't think it is quite as traumatic as adding
SP1 service pack to the system, but you should still be prepared
for anything.

Paul

Ah, I see. They don't sell it any more. So much
for the word "Anytime". What a joke. I can't find it
for sale anywhere.

So now I see why you're starting with a Pro disc...

It would likely be twice as expensive to buy a Pro disc
and do it. You can try doing a Repair Install, and maybe
it would keep your files. (You should be left with a
Windows.old folder when you're finished, containing the old
OS. Disk Cleanup will remove that, when you want to get rid
of it and free up the space.)

While the Upgrade Matrix has some info on upgrading, it
doesn't answer your question. By "extrapolation" the answer
should be yes, but confirmation is simply not on the diagram.

http://www.dvhardware.net/news/windows_7_upgrade_matrix.jpg

A change between 32 and 64 bits, would make you start over again.
You'd need to keep the same bit-ness of OS, if trying to upgrade
and do it in-place.

Maybe someone else here, has actually done it...

Paul

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <[email protected]>, Paul <[email protected]>
writes:
[]

While the Upgrade Matrix has some info on upgrading, it
doesn't answer your question. By "extrapolation" the answer
should be yes, but confirmation is simply not on the diagram.

http://www.dvhardware.net/news/windows_7_upgrade_matrix.jpg

A change between 32 and 64 bits, would make you start over again.
You'd need to keep the same bit-ness of OS, if trying to upgrade
and do it in-place.

[]
I'm intrigued that that matrix includes "upgrades" from all 6 versions
to all 6 versions - i. e. both from the same version to itself, and to
lower versions.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

If you like making stuff there's always somebody ready to say that its
ridiculous. But, actually, I don't think it is. In fact, enthusiasms are good.
Hobbies are healthy. They don't harm anybody. - James May in RT, 6-12
November 2010.

 

[Wolf K]

You probably want this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Anytime_Upgrade

The files for all five versions of the OS, are already on
the hard drive. When you purchase an Anytime Upgrade key,
and kick it off, the installation process links a few extra
files from the "store" to the Windows folder.

Just make a backup of C: first, in case it doesn't go
smoothly. I don't think it is quite as traumatic as adding
SP1 service pack to the system, but you should still be prepared
for anything.

Paul

See:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows7/products/windows-anytime-upgrade

NB1: Begin with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It will tell what
software you can keep, etc. I strongly recommend this. There may be
hardware limitations that you aren't aware of (unlikely, but all it
costs you to find out is time).

NB2: Upgrading from one level of the same OS to another will retain all
current software and settings, although some software may need updating.
Upgrading to another version (eg W7 --> W8) may not be as trouble free.
Data point: I upgraded W7 --> W8 with no serious problems. I had to
jettison a couple of programs I rarely used, but I can't remember what
they were.

HTH

 

[Ken1943]

If I purchase a Pro disc can I u/g my Home Premium by inserting the disc
and having it recognize the existing installation, without it blowing
away all of my programs, settings, data, etc.?

If you do a search for anytime upgrade, there are sites that sell it
cheaper than MS. It's only a new key that opens the new version.

If you go to Start > Anytime Upgrade there is an option to enter the key.
On my Toshiba net book I got the key from MS. After I had to do a
complete restore, the key still worked.


KenW