Solved: move from vista to Windows 7/

I have been offered a slightly used laptop with Vista. How hard (and expensive) would it be to move to Windows 7 instead of Vista?

 

Just check out the price of the edition of Win 7 you want on your favorite computer store site?

I don't usually recommend upgrade installation of Windows. It is better to format and install.

 

The only time I tried a restore I lost all the drivers (not on this laptop).

 

As long as the computer is legally licensed for Windows Vista, you can use a Windows 7 upgrade disk and license to either upgrade to 7 or do a clean install of it.

 

Thanks!

 

I have to agree with lunarlander, much better with a clean install with complete version of 7. Slightly more costly but much more worth it.

 

The difference between a a full and an upgrade Windows 7 purchase is the license, not the technology. If the computer is already licensed for Vista, only an upgrade license is needed. Purchasing anything else is a waste of money. You can do a clean install with an upgrade disk.

 

Doublehelix speaks the truth, however its always much handier having a full copy.

According to Microsoft:
"In order to install the upgrade version of Windows 7, you must have a qualifying Windows operating system installed and activated. You cannot install an upgrade version of Windows 7 on a blank hard drive. The installation procedure does not ask you to insert a Windows disc in the drive for verification, the actual qualifying operating system must be installed."

Hence if for any reason hard drive needed formatted or no imaging software could be used for hard drive upgrades etc, you would still need a full licenced copy of windows 7 to install.

 

You can do a clean install with an upgrade disk. You do not need to pay extra for a full license simply to do a clean install. You DO NOT need to install another qualifying product first.

 

DoubleHelix, I appreciate that a completely clean install can be done with an upgrade disk but this is slightly againt the law. when installing Windows 7 onto a blank hard drive. You can even use the upgrade disc for doing this, but when it comes to activating Windows 7, you won’t be able to do it with the upgrade licence key, you need to use a key from the full edition of Windows 7 to run a legit copy of Windows 7.

Glad you got it sorted out though Flavellee and since you upgraded, are running a fully legit copy of windows.

 

It's not illegal. Contact Microsoft if you have doubts.

 

Upgrade licence vs full licence

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mssmallbiz/...rade-is-an-upgrade-what-you-need-to-know.aspx

and also !!!direct from Microsoft!!!

If you're running a genuine version of Windows XP or Windows Vista, you qualify for an upgrade copy of Windows 7. When you buy Windows 7, you can choose between the upgrade and full version. Both include the same features. If you have Windows XP or Windows Vista on your PC, you can use the upgrade version. If you don't, you'll need to get the full version.