Can XP or Vista be upgraded to Windows7 LEGALLY ? Yes, if you have XP or Vista you can buy the Upgrade version of Windows 7. If you already have Windows 7, Windows Anytime Upgrade enables you to upgrade to a more advanced version of Windows 7. If you're running an earlier version of Windows, you'll need to purchase a full version of Windows 7 Professional. Considering that is in the discription for the "Anytime Upgrade" product it is referring to the fact that you can not use Anytime Upgrade if you have XP or Vista. Instead you need to buy a version of Windows 7 that includes an install disk. Using the word "full" was not the best choice since "full" also referrs to a specific type of Windows product. My concern is that the written statement is either flatly wrong, or is deceitfully misleading. You can contact the Microsoft Store and request the wording be changed. MS Store - Contact Us: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Site_Contact_Us

TrekDozer is right, of course, mainly with the statement: "Considering that is in the discription for the "Anytime Upgrade" product it is referring to the fact that you can not use Anytime Upgrade if you have XP or Vista. Instead you need to buy a version of Windows 7 that includes an install disk." If you look for the upgrade options for earlier versions like XP or Vista, they are described on the same MS Store site but in a section conveniently called "Upgrade your Windows" (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Windows_Upgrade_Matrix?Icid=Wincat_Hero_right_Win_upg_chart). An old-timer like you, Mr. Just-in-lurkin', should spend your time with better things than to search and - surprise! - find those far-fetched subtleties. Forgive me, if I might appear too familiar but my memory concerning similar nitpicks (delightful and annoying, at the same time) is a long one. And no, I'm no "follower" of your favorite moderator (..... ......) taking part in some conspiration against freedom of thought. Understanding Windows is like understanding women.

It says Full. It means Full. And that's final. I said so. This is correct and directly from Microsodt: Ref: Microsoft Store Sanmartin, you should be thankful I didn't delete your post. And lock this thread. Maybe I'll ban you. I haven't decided yet.

The image above is from the Microsoft Store Anytime Upgrade page. It states: If you already have Windows 7, Windows Anytime Upgrade enables you to upgrade to a more advanced version of Windows 7. If you're running an earlier version of Windows, you'll need to purchase a full version of Windows 7 Professional. This statement has remained unchanged for more than 6 months, so it can be no mistake. It is Microsoft's official statement. When you click the link given there, you are taken to a page which shows choices of an expensive Full Version and a discounted Retail Upgrade. But according to the statement above, the Retail Upgrade cannot be used with earlier Windows versions (like XP and Vista). Only the Full Version is allowed. I don't think there is any ambiguity in the term "Full", which has always been used to distinguish it from "Upgrade". They are opposites. Yes, the term upgrade has been used in many ways to mean many things. But there is never a question about what full means. Never. I looked it up anyway to see what the origin of this term is. It is a forshortening of the phrase Full Packaged Product ("FPP"). That's the formality, but we all knew that already. I consulted the Retail Windows 7 EULA to see what it might say about this. Sections 15 and 17 specifically discuss upgrades and transferring upgrade software to another computer. In section 15, it states "To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade". After you meet that initial requirement, you can apparently transfer it anywhere. But nowhere does it explain which versions are actually "eligible for the upgrade". That takes us back to this Microsoft Store page. It states that only a Full Version (and not a Retail Upgrade) may be used to update "earlier" Windows versions. "If you're running an earlier version of Windows, you'll need to purchase a full version of Windows 7...". That's official.

Looks pretty clear to me. You can purchase an upgrade if you have Windows XP or Vista installed. Jeff Wharton MSysDev (C.Sturt), MDbDsgnMgt (C.Sturt), MCT, MCPD, MCITP, MCDBA Blog: Mr. Wharty's Ramblings MC ID: Microsoft Transcript Please mark answered if I've answered your question and vote for it as helpful to help other user's find a solution quicker

Yes, Jeff. We see that tooltip. It comes somewhere after this first written statement from Microsoft (Store) which says exactly the opposite. If you could think just a little more deeply than merely trying to win an argument, you'd realize that is why I posted this thread.

Ok. You win. You're a consumer who makes a purchase without reading all the terms and conditions relating to said purchase whereas I'm a consumer who reads all the terms and conditions prior to making a purchase, even if that means clicking on a hyperlink to see the full terms and conditions relating to a purchase. Given this, I can now understand your beef with the wording and how easy it can confuse someone not prepared to read all the terms and conditions relating to a purchase.Jeff Wharton MSysDev (C.Sturt), MDbDsgnMgt (C.Sturt), MCT, MCPD, MCITP, MCDBA Blog: Mr. Wharty's Ramblings MC ID: Microsoft Transcript Please mark answered if I've answered your question and vote for it as helpful to help other user's find a solution quicker

Ok. You win. Wharton, don't project your shallow values onto me. You're the one trying to win something. My concern is that the written statement is either flatly wrong, or is deceitfully misleading. Take your choice. That hidden tooltip which flits by in 5 seconds is hardly persistent documentation. And it is a complete contradiction to the permanent written statement. Which is only slightly better than the EULA, which speaks of eligibility that isn't described anywhere therein. So in fact Wharton, you won. Your objective was to distract this thread while bringing attention to yourself. You accomplished both goals.