Windows 7 upgrade or replacement?

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

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.

--


------
"Paul H" <> wrote in message
news:9950270E-D37C-4F54-8FE1-...
>
> 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
>

"Paul H" <> wrote in message
news:9950270E-D37C-4F54-8FE1-...
>
> 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.

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" <> wrote in message
news:9950270E-D37C-4F54-8FE1-...
>
> 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
>

"Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
news:B291C65D-02DC-49AC-868B-...
> "Paul H" <> wrote in message
> news:9950270E-D37C-4F54-8FE1-...
>>
>> 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.

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

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" <> wrote in message
news:8FB29C87-AC18-4FA6-9DBE-...
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
> news:B291C65D-02DC-49AC-868B-...
>> "Paul H" <> wrote in message
>> news:9950270E-D37C-4F54-8FE1-...
>>>
>>> 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.
>
> 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,
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" <> wrote in message
news:...
> 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" <> wrote in message
> news:8FB29C87-AC18-4FA6-9DBE-...
>>
>> "Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
>> news:B291C65D-02DC-49AC-868B-...
>>> "Paul H" <> wrote in message
>>> news:9950270E-D37C-4F54-8FE1-...
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>
>> 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
>>
>>

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.

"Paul H" <> wrote in message
news:76C55C16-0837-4B6A-9F97-...
> 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)

Paul H wrote:
> 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" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> 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" <> wrote in message
>> news:8FB29C87-AC18-4FA6-9DBE-...
>>>
>>> "Colin Barnhorst" <> wrote in message
>>> news:B291C65D-02DC-49AC-868B-...
>>>> "Paul H" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:9950270E-D37C-4F54-8FE1-...
>>>>>
>>>>> 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.
>>>
>>> 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
>>>
>>>
>

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.

Paul H wrote:
>
>
> 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