Windows 7 Home Premuim 3 PC Family Upgrade

[Anjie]

I am thinking of buying the Microsoft Windows 7 Family Pack/ Home Premium Upgrade - Retail 3 PCs. I would like to install it on a new system that I am building for my Daughter, my desktop (Vista) and my laptop (XP). Does anyone know of any issues that I need to be aware of. All of the PC's exceed any minimum requirements and I really do not look to have any difficulties with the upgrades. But I have read that it is difficult to get it to install on a new drive. Any pointers or tips on this? Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[EzyStvy]

Did you do this:

Scan your PC for compatibility
Windows 7 Compatibility: Software Programs & Hardware Devices: Find Updates, Drivers, & Downloads

And XP can't be upgraded per se to Win 7....

[glc]

Clean install with upgrade media:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp

[Anjie]

Thanks GLC. This is exactly what I was looking for. I had heard you could do it with the upgrade CD but was just trying to save myself the headaches of digging around for the answers after I started. And I meant I was going to do a clean install on all three. Never really planned to just upgrade. Just call it upgrade because they do.

[Bob338]

Originally Posted by glc Clean install with upgrade media: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp

Can you legally install and upgrade in a new build?

[glc]

Bob, this is a gray area. It's technically illegal, but Microsoft is aware of the loopholes to install the upgrade on a clean drive and has decided not to do anything about it. I would not recommend that you do it this way for other people, if you want to do it on your own machines nobody is going to stop you. If you are building for other people, buy the OEM version.

[Bob338]

Thanks for clarifying!

[Anjie]

I can actually clarify this even more. I am simply upgrading my daughters entire PC so I do have a legal copy of XP from the old PC that will be rendered useless when I am done. She has one that I built for myself about 8 years ago and passed on to her when I built myself a new system. It is even the ugly biegishist white color that no one wants anymore. It was an awesome computer on the inside though and has done well with only the addition of a card reader and a stick of RAM. But it is time for a new one and she wants a nice sleek black set-up. Originally I had planned to try and move the XP that was bought for this PC to the new one and use the hard drive from the old one as a second in the new one. But then I saw the Family Pack Upgrade and decided to upgrade to Windows 7 now while they were still offering it. That's perfectly legal, right?

[David M]

Originally Posted by Anjie But then I saw the Family Pack Upgrade and decided to upgrade to Windows 7 now while they were still offering it. That's perfectly legal, right?

Absolutely it's legal. You are buying valid licenses. Just remember, the upgrade version of Windows 7 will not work when upgrading from XP to Windows 7. You need to buy the full (OEM preferably) version. Also, each computer needs to have its own license.

I have moved OS's to other computers numerous times. If I cannot get it to validate online, I call up the nice people in Bhopal and say the motherboard in my computer died and I had to replace it with a different board. Unethical?...I don't think so. I disagree with making something intentionally obsolete that I paid for that is still perfectly good. Ford does not try to tell us that if we decide to scrap one of their cars that we cannot move a still perfectly good engine from one car to another car. I think that this requirement from Microsoft should be illegal. No other industry gets away with a consumer policy like this.

Although as mentioned in the previous posts, it's against Microsoft's terms to move your OS, it works. I would think that if you tell them the full truth and they grant you a new validation code then you do not violate anything. In that case, they are making an exception to their own rules. You do need to call them and plead your case.

Microsoft is nervous about people switching to Macs or to Linux. It's also why they dropped their prices with the different versions of Windows 7. When free is becoming more and more appealing, they have no other choice.

Ramble on complete.

[glc]

the upgrade version of Windows 7 will not work when upgrading from XP to Windows 7. You need to buy the full (OEM preferably) version.

Technicality - gray area. When you can do a clean install with upgrade media, that kinda makes that a moot point, doesn't it?

[strollin]

MS knows the "loophole" absolutely needs to exist for those people that are upgrading from Win XP to Win 7. It's not possible to upgrade in place so a clean install is needed. The alternative is to do an in place upgrade from XP to Vista then upgrade Vista to Win 7, ugh!

[David M]

You don't want to drag your old baggage into a new install anyway. Do a fresh install with your software and then move your older files over.

[MikeMoss]

Never mind, I guess this point has already been covered.

[Anjie]

I am confused. Why are you NOT suppose to use the disks to Upgrade from Windows XP? Many people opted NOT to upgrade to Vista due to all of the public grumblings and complaints about the stability of the program. So why would the upgrade only be good for Vista? I read the entire advertisement on the Microsofts web site for this product and it does not say you can only upgrade from Vista. In fact, it simply says depending on the VERSION of Windows that you are currently running it may take longer to complete the upgrade and that "the upgrade process requires a more detailed re-installation process." Also, when I ran the Windows 7 Compatibility checker it just states that it will require a "Custom Install" rather than the "Upgrade Option." The advertisement just says that it upgrades your Family PC's to Windows 7. I will call Microsofts when it is time to activate if necessary. It might be different if I were trying to upgrade from Windows 98 or something. But I have purchased nearly 10 copies of Windows XP through the years for my family and have always being sure to be on the up and up. If I had planned to use the old XP Machine I would purchase a full license copy for the new build. But I am literally upgrading, yes 90% of the components as well as the operating system, but an upgrade none the less.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Microsoft policies. Even their wording stinks of legalese BS.

"the upgrade process requires a more detailed re-installation process." Also, when I ran the Windows 7 Compatibility checker it just states that it will require a "Custom Install" rather than the "Upgrade Option." --> Essentially means "you will have to format your HDD and do a clean install. Period."

[glc]

Custom install = reformat and clean install. Don't sweat the legalities, you will be fine. You will have to use the procedure I linked to in order to do the clean install.

[strollin]

Nobody (not even MS) is saying that you can't upgrade from XP to Win 7. The point is that it's not possible to upgrade XP in place to Win 7, you have to do a clean install (freshly formatted disk).

If you have licensed XP machines they are eligible to be upgraded to Win 7 (not prior Windows versions though), it's just that the upgrade process is different for XP then it is for Vista.

[Anjie]

I gotcha. I have never done anything but a clean install with Windows anyway. I love that nice new, clean install smell. I learned the importance of good back up practices a long time ago so I usually always have what I need with little data loss. I get the processor in tomorrow so I will get it together and loaded this weekend. I am using the old hard drive to save files too only. It is an IDE and I want the operating system on the new SATA. I will reuse the card reader because it came with a black face plate when I originally ordered it. I will then donate the rest of the PC to a guy that reworks them for our Elderly here in our area. It still has lots of good stuff in it. Thanks All. Have a Merry Christmas.

[allfiredup]

Originally Posted by strollin MS knows the "loophole" absolutely needs to exist for those people that are upgrading from Win XP to Win 7. It's not possible to upgrade in place so a clean install is needed. The alternative is to do an in place upgrade from XP to Vista then upgrade Vista to Win 7, ugh!

It also needs to exist for people with a 32-bit version of Vista who want to upgrade to 64-bit Windows 7! As with going from XP to Win7, there is no actual 'upgrade path' for 32-bit Vista to 64-bit Win7 either. It will be a clean install.

I just placed my order for the 3pk from Newegg while it's $124.99 with free shipping. My laptop and the desktop that I just gave to my parents both are running Vista 32-bit and need Win7...and I'm sure that 3rd license will find a use eventually, too....