Comments on: FAQ: Making sense of Windows 7 upgrade options

CNET News' Ina Fried walks through the basics and fine print on Microsoft's options for those who want to ensure they get the latest operating system from Redmond.

[bblackmoor]

Option 3: don't upgrade. Windows is done. There is no need for anyone using XP Pro to buy any other version of Windows. When or if you do decide to migrate from XP Pro, migrate to Linux.

[Hellcat]

If I buy a computer with Vista Ultimate I can only get the free upgrade to 7 Pro so I'll loose functions that I would have with Ultimate.

If someone wants dual boot 32 and 64 bit Windows 7...on the same computer...to check for compatibility with software for example...would they be able to do that since you'll have both versions when you buy Windows 7?

[gilmane]

I am planning on buying a new Windows laptop with Windows 7 Professional by the end of the year. My current laptop is running Vista Ultimate.

Does it make more sense to buy the upgrade disk through the current discount program or just wait for the new laptop and pay whatever premium is charged to upgrade to Professional?

[shellyf]

The article give solid info on how to get the upgrade with links to PC manufacturers but leaves all the rest of us who purchased BEFORE the cutoff date out of the picture. There is no info on where or how to get the upgrade for the cheaper price. A very incomplete article.

[Karrott]

i cant install vista sp1, what do i do?

[Shannon_VanWagner]

Today I just had to reload a Windows 7 version > build 7100 on a user's machine because their "beta" version was expiring... What a hassle!

The title of this article is "Making sense of Windows 7 upgrade options". Well if you find it still too complicated after reading the article, you do have an alternative to Windows 7, even though some people don't seem to want you to know about it.

The alternative I'm talking about is is GNU/LINUX, e.g. Ubuntu Linux from ubuntu.com. Did you know you can do most of the things(and arguably more in several scenarios) you do with Windows on a GNU/Linux distro such as Ubuntu? That's right, you can edit documents, media, pictures, music, video, audio, and there's thousands of free software titles that become available - all for FREE - when you use GNU/Linux. Learn more about it at these links: linux.com | getgnulinux.org | ubuntuguide.org | whylinuxisbetter.net | openoffice.org | humans-enabled.com

If you need any help at all, contact me.

Cheers!

[Hellcat]

You didn't do the upgrade to 7100? http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/07/delivering-a-quality-upgrade-experience.aspx

[blackshirt]

I upgraded from Vista Home Premium to Ultimate. Is there a way to downgrade back to Premium? If so, I then should be able to Upgrade to Windows7 Home Premium.

[wildbillc777]

My Windows 7 upgrade is FREE.

It's called Ubuntu. After years of purchasing and repurchasing Windows seats, and paying outrageous prices for productivity applications, I've finally kicked the MS habit, and invite you to do the same. No wonder Bill gates is (nearly) the richest guy on the planet, people just can't seem to break free of paying for Windows over and over and over again. Hey wake up and smell the FREE coffee.....

My Ubuntu systems have NEVER seized or thrown a blue screen. They never choke, they never sputter, they are rock solid and 99% of every kind of productivity tool you can think of is FREE. Video tools are FREE, Audio tools are FREE, Office tools are FREE...and if you just HAVE to run windows, Sun provides a FREE virtual tool that will run your old MS Windows OS and all of the apps it runs now.

If you are a gamer, stick to Windows. If you are like me, just a normal person that surfs and does work at home, Ubuntu is your PERFECT FREE upgrade.

Yeah, welcome to FREE upgrades. Can you say Ubuntu?

[Inconnux]

I Installed Ubuntu on a new Toshiba laptop. Wireless was a b&*(ch to get working and I've had two kernel panics in less than a week. Ubuntu is definitely nice, but please enough with the blind evangelism. Ubuntu is FAR faster than Vista though :). I'm also not some Linux noob either... been using it since kernel 1.2.3 (Slackware!).

[benrobins]

I am wondering whether to buy a Vista laptop now and get the free upgrade or avoid Vista altogether and wait for a Windows 7 machine in October?

[shellcodes_coder]

Vista with SP2 is just damn stable. So it's up to you. But I would recommend you to go for the second one...WAIT till Windows 7 comes out :)

[EWAUGH]

I contacted MS directly and was told all versions of Vista including Basic qualify for the Windows 7 upgrade as long as you use the same BIT, 32 in my case. I all so ran the MS program for compatabilty and got the same results.

Just thought all would like to know this.

What are the major benefits of going from Vista to Windows 7?

[shellcodes_coder]

Features new to Windows 7: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_7

[jimger]

I am running XP Pro SP3. Can I do a "remain in place" upgrade to Win7 Ultimate and keep all my programs, data, etc. intact?

[Richard_Hed]

Here's what the FAQ says.
If you are .... coming from Windows XP ... , you need to do a clean installation, which means backing up your data, installing the new operating system and then restoring your data and reinstalling your applications.
That was why I did not download the beta version and - before popping for the upgrade searched in vain for this notice in the advertising bumph - but, caveat emptor, it is either dig through boxes of stored software crap or scrap the upgrade. Maybe in October I can get $60 for it on eBay.

[daneyul]

My understanding is that this update doesn't apply Vista Home Basic. Is this true?

But...it -does- apply to XP home?

So, if this is true, someone who got XP home 8 years ago can update to Windows 7 for $50.00, but someone who got Vista Home Basic 3 months ago can't ???

[shellcodes_coder]

am sure even Home basic users can upgrade to 7 Home premium

[shannon237]

I purchased (12/2008) a new copy of Win XP for a system I built, I'm assuming I can upgrade that - right?

Then my old Dells - do I get the upgrade from Dell - becuase it will have the Dell drivers?

[thepoetrydude]

I haven't tried this, but theoretically it might work. You can change your product key in vista, if your running ultimate and change the key to say home premium. Depending on whether that would work, if it does you could then use the Win 7 Home premium upgrade. Ultimate didn't really have anything I needed, so I don't mind going down to Home Premium for Win 7, but I'd rather not do a clean install again. Some one might try this.

[J3sUsD]

What exactly is "upgrade-in-place"?

[rleon]

Is Win7 multi-language? Can I Upgrade from XP Japanese to 7 English (or spanish)

[dacopper]

These rebates sound nice and all but the basic rule of thumb is NOT to upgrade to the next windows version until at least SP2. It was true for XP with SP2 which did a major overhaul of the OS and especially it was true for Vista where SP2 fixed majority of problems to the point Vista has become a rather enjoyable experience.

[Richard_Hed]

Sort of like a visit to a proctologist, but without the bill.

[dacopper]

...or using Mac.

[taura274]

what about if you have vista basic

[sargess25]

is one eligible to upgrade from Windows ME?

if not then half of the windows aficionados, who regularly post here, will be left out in the cold