I currently have Windows XP Upgrade (upgrade from 98). Will the Windows 7 upgrade path work for me? I realize that it would be a clean install and I have no problem with that, but the fact that this is an upgrade version from 98 and then upgraded again to 7 doesn't sound efficient...

The Windows 7 upgrade path will work fine for you. Your Windows XP license is authentic, despite it being an upgrade from Windows 98. You will have to run the Windows 7 upgrade from within Windows XP and it will format the partition during the install, so be prepared to use Windows Easy Transfer to backup/transfer your files. -Nick

Currently, to install XP, I do this: Put XP disk in, start installing...at prompt I put in 98 disk to confirm I have the 98 OS, and finish installing. To install the 7 upgrade I would have to: Put 7 disk in, start installing...at prompt I put in XP disk? Or would XP have to be fully installed before upgrading to 7?

I'd very much like to know that too.

Hi RogueWing: I believe you will have to have a licensed and validated copy of your Windows XP installed on the PC you wish to use the Upgrade version of Windows 7. At the time of installation the Upgrade version of Windows 7 needs to verify you have a validated version of an operating system that is permitted by the upgrade and during the installation Win7 will place a copy of the WinXP in a file called "windows old" in the new Win7 files. After the upgrade you can copy files from the "windows old" file but you will need to re-install your programs from the original media. The license for XP will be assumed by Windows 7 and you won't be able to use the XP license to install on another pc or for a dual boot.

I believe you have to have Windows XP installed at the time you install Windows 7. This is the way upgrades worked for Windows Vista and I haven't seen any indication that it is different for Windows 7. Having the CD alone will not be enough. -Nick

Uh...thanks, but that really didn't answer my question....

Uh...thanks, but that really didn't answer my question.... HiSince we are still in the beta process, any information you see about this issue is preliminary and subject to change before the final release (RTM) of Windows 7.The latest information we have on this subject is that the Windows 7 Upgrade willwork exactlylike the Vista upgrade. You will need to start the installation from within a running installation of the qualifying OS to installusing a Windows 7upgrade disk. However, we have no way to test this, since no upgrade installation disks have been made available yet. The downloaded Beta andRC versions create a Full installation disk, whichoperates differently from an Upgrade disk.Going forward, you need to assume that you will need a running version of XP or Vista touse a Windows 7Upgrade Installation Disk and proceed accordingly.The fact that your XP installation was an upgrade from Windows 98, will have no effect on upgrading to Windows 7. Immediately after the release of Windows Vista we saw many people who were installing over an installation of Windows XP which had been originally upgraded from Windows95 > Windows 98 > Windows XP with no problems.Hope this helps.Thank You for testing Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

Currently, to install XP, I do this:Put XP disk in, start installing...at prompt I put in 98 disk to confirm I have the 98 OS, and finish installing.To install the 7 upgrade I would have to:Put 7 disk in, start installing...at prompt I put in XP disk?Or would XP have to be fully installed before upgrading to 7? Beginning with Windows Vista, the installation routine changed. In order to use a Windows Vista or Windows 7 upgrade license, you must actually have a qualifying Windows operating installed. Then you would boot to the currently installed Windows desktop, insert the Windows 7 Upgrade disc in the DVD drive, then select "custom installation" to begin the clean install of Windows 7.Carey Frisch

"Then you would boot to the currently installed Windows desktop, insert the Windows 7 Upgrade disc in the DVD drive, then select "custom installation" to begin the clean install of Windows 7." And in the case of an upgdrade from 32bit Vista to 64-bit Win7 would you not have to be able to boot directly from the Win7 DVD?

"Then you would boot to the currently installed Windows desktop, insert the Windows 7 Upgrade disc in the DVD drive, then select "custom installation" to begin the clean install of Windows 7."And in the case of an upgdrade from 32bit Vista to 64-bit Win7 would you not have to be able to boot directly from the Win7 DVD? You would follow the same procedure I outlined previously to install a 64-bit version of Windows 7."Boot to the currently installed Windows desktop, insert the correctWindows 7 Upgrade disc in the DVD drive, then select "custom installation" to begin the clean install of Windows 7."Carey Frisch

Carey Frisch: Thanks for the clarification. I would have probably inserted the included 64-bit disk and tried to do a clean install by booting from that.

Thanks for answering my question, newnerd. After reading the rest of this thread I think I would like to get the full version so I can install Windows XP on another computer. Also because I am currently running Windows XP 32-bit and will want to install Windows 7 64-bit on that computer. Is the half-off offer good on full versions?

Hello PhoenixGTR: " Is the half-off offer good on full versions?" I'm sorry to say that I don't think there's a chance of ever seeing that good an offer! It would be very kind of Microsoft to do that but very, very costly in lost sales revenue! You should be able to find a cheaper copy of XP than Win7 right now....you could buy a fresh copy of XP with all the latest Service Packs to install on the other computer and still take advantage of the 49.99 or 99.99 Win7 Retail Upgrade to use to upgrade the current PC with XP on it and save some money. The Full Version of Win7 H.P. is $199.99 but you should be able to get an OEM version of Windows XP Media Center O.E.M. for about $110.00 and together with the Win7 H.P. Retail Upgrade for $49.99 you'd save $40 and have a more modern version of XP to install on the other computer! Edit: You could even order 2 Win7 Retail Upgrades @ $49.99, 1 WinXP MCE OEM and still not spend much more than the one copy of Win7 H.P. Full Version and if ever needed update both PC's to Win7!

I won't hold you to it, Ronnie, but give it a shot. Do youanticipate the upgrade disc will be non-bootable?Part of the reason I ask this is actually todisprovea hunch I've been entertaining. The currentVista promotionis providing a free Windows 7 copy. They don't say if it's a full version (instead of upgrade), but that seems to be what they're offering. That made me think, maybe Microsoft will be issuing full Windows 7 versions during this upgrade promotion, but just marking the packaging with something like For Upgrade Only. Otherwise, can you imagine how many people are going to have problems !? But ehhh, maybe I'm just pipe-dreaming. A Classic case of wishful thinking. Classic - pun. EgadsIf you go to that Vista promotionpage, you can select either the Full or Upgrade version of Vista. You will get an equivalent version of Windows 7.I have no idea whether or not the upgrade disk will be bootable. With Vista, it was bootable because this was needed to access all of the disaster repair tools. In Windows 7, you will have a built-in utility to create your own bootableRepair Disk.However if it is bootable, just like Vista, if you start a Custom install after booting with the upgrade disk, the installation will fail as soon as you enter the upgrade product key.Thank You for testing Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

I just found this: here: " The Upgrade is not available for the following editions: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Windows Vista Starter Edition Windows XP (all editions) " What's up with that? Can I upgrade from XP or can't I?Also, can I upgrade from XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit? The pre-order page doesn't say how many bits anything is.

Just found the pre-order FAQwhich answers my question from above; it says "Microsoft designed Windows 7 Upgrade media for Windows Vista. A customer with Windows XP can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade media but must back up their files, clean install, and then reinstall their applications. "Big deal; I alway sdo a clean install of each new OS anyway.Also "Will I get 32-bit or 64-bit discs? Youll get both. Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional packaged products include both 32- and 64-bit discs."So it looks like I can upgrade from Windows XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit and you can go from Vista 32 to Windows 7 64-bit...

Hi PhoenixGTR: I have posted a URL below to the original official Microsoft announcement about the Pre-orders of Win7. In the FAQs portion look for this statement to verify that you CAN upgrade from WinXP: "FAQ: I am running Windows XP, can I upgrade to Windows 7? Microsoft designed Windows 7 Upgrade media for Windows Vista. A customer with Windows XP can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade media but must back up their files, clean install, and then reinstall their applications." http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/offers/pre-order-faq.aspx

Oh, very good. I hadn't caught that either. That page seems to discuss the upgrade program for new computer purchases. If you follow the page all the way down, they speak of platforms, 32-bit and 64-bit. It seems your upgrade is locked-in to whatever Vista platform (32/64) you start out with. That's disappointing...I'm wondering if that is also true for the $49 Win7-HP and $99 Win7-PRO promotions? Uh oh... You need to read the details.Go back to the promo page and click one of the boxes. All of the current offers are for the Retail Boxed product and these all include both the 32 and 64 bit disks in the box.Thank You for testing Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

I just found this: here: " The Upgrade is not available for the following editions: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Windows Vista Starter Edition Windows XP (all editions) " What's up with that? Can I upgrade from XP or can't I?Also, can I upgrade from XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit? The pre-order page doesn't say how many bits anything is. HiThis is a completelydifferent program.This program is for customers who purchase a NEW PC, pre-installed with a qualifying version of Vistawithin the eligibility dates (June 26, 2009 - January 31, 2010). Windows XP is not available for this particular offer.This offer is for OEM products and gives you thecomparable version of Windows 7. In other words, if you buy a PC with a 32Bit version of Windows Business pre-installed, you will get a free upgrade to the 32-Bit version of Windows 7 Professional.Hope this helps.Thank You for testing Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

Ronnie--thanks for posting the link to the promo page. The page the email linked to was different and not as detailed. Keep us posted on the upgrade process, though. Although I know the upgrade process creates a clean install, I'd prefer it if it worked the other way, and I could reformat my HDD, install Windows 7 clean, and insert my XP disc for verification. I've never gotten an upgrade version; always full retail boxed versions, so this is new to me.

I believe you have stated the process correctly. Even though it hasn't been tested. I just performed an XP install a few days ago. I did exactly as you:1. On a clean hard drive I started the XP installation (using an XP Upgrade CD)2. It wanted to know if I had a license copy of a previous Windows installation3. I fed in my Win98 CD4. It verified the CD and continued with the XP installation (Nice and easy)Windows 7 upgrade should work the same (I hope)

The terms "upgrade" and "full version" are confusing when coupled with the statement "Windows XP users will need to do a clean install", which, to me, seems to imply the need for a "full version".Anyway, from the responses above (thanks!), I think I can start with my Windows XP Pro 32-bit, buy the Windows 7 Pro upgrade license (half-price=~$99 until this Saturday, 11Jul09), backup (=clone)my current Windows XP Pro C: to D:, boot into Windows XP Pro 32-bit, start the Windows 7 upgrade process & "upgrade"(which, confusingly, requiresa "clean install") to Windows 7 Pro 64-bit.If I leave the D: Windows XP Pro 32-bit drive connected, will Windows 7 do anything to it to make it unbootable as Windows XP Pro 32-bit? Will Microsoft Update or some other utility detect my upgrade attempt & prevent my reverting to Windows XP Pro 32-bit if something doesn't work? At this point, Windows 7 is still a bigunknown, and I don't know if I'll have to switch back to XP Pro & wait for some patches before trying Windows 7 again.I like the clever half-price marketing of Windows 7 to 'jump start' the move from XP & Vista, but would feel safer in buying Windows 7 early if Microsoft'sannouncements& FAQshad clearly answered more of these important user-upgrade questions.

clw Sacto--see this thread . Windows 7 assumes the license of WinXP Pro. I know this means you can't transfer your XP license to another computer; I don't know if it means you can't run both on the same computer, though. It's an interesting question...

Hi clw Sacto:' If I understand you correctly you want to buy a half-price Win7 Pro Upgrade retail version and want to be able to keep your XP license and also use Win7 Pro under the same license? No go! The original license was for use of 1 copy on 1 PC and that license will be taken over by use of an Upgrade version of Win7 Pro and that is still for use of 1 copy on 1 computer. Windows 7 "calls home" to verify it's a licensed version using a license not being used by another computer. If you want to keep your XP Pro you need to buy a full retail version of Win7, not an Upgrade version which is less expensive BECAUSE it is an upgrade (replacing the original O.S.).

Hi again derosnec: If you want to dual boot you'll either have to buy another copy of XP Pro to dual boot with your new Win7 or leave your current XP Pro and buy a "full" version of Win7.....that means NOT an upgrade version. If you use an Upgrade version just think of your previous XP Pro as being gone as far as using it as an operating system.

At the moment, my apps all run happily on XP Pro 32-bit, including a Windows-3.1-eraappwhich only runs in theexcellent DOSBOX app. My WinXP Pro OS, apps, data, etc. are all on drive C: and I regularly (~once monthly) clone drive C: to drive D: so I have a backup (if C: dies, I restrap both drives, switching C: & D:, and boot from the clone/backup drive). All this is on *one* machine (box, processor card, power supply, etc.)My hope was that I could clone drive C: to D: so D: has my old XP Pro 32-bit system, then upgrade (=buy a Windows 7 upgrade for $99 and clean install it) C: from Windows XP Pro 32-bit to Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. Now suppose that a critical application doesn't work on my shiny new Windows 7 Pro 64-bit or in its the new 'virtual' WinXP window.If the Windows 7 upgrade doesn't prevent it, allI'dneed to do is to restrap the drives to boot from the XP Pro 32-bit cloned drive. Those disks are only ever used on that one computer which wouldn't everbe running both XP Pro 32-bit& Windows 7 Pro 64-bit at the same time. After Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1 came out, I could boot Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, apply SP1, try my critical apps again & maybe finally make the switch.So one of my questions was along the lines of "Does Microsoft allow me to try Windows 7 Pro 64-bit with a license and, if I don't like it, switch back to XP Pro 32-bit until Windows 7 Pro 64-bit is 'fixed' (which mightbe months or years after release)?" The comments above seem to say "No", which makes me want to buy the Windows 7 Pro license now (because I'm cheap :-) but not try it out for several months after its release (so hopefully others will find & report problems and MS will fix them).Anyway, if I want to buy the Windows 7 Pro license for half-price, I've only got today & tomorrow -- I'll probably go ahead andbuy it, it's just frustrating that MS marketing's information doesn't tell me whether I can 'drop back' to XP after upgrading if I need to.

So one of my questions was along the lines of "Does Microsoft allow me to try Windows 7 Pro 64-bit with a license and, if I don't like it, switch back to XP Pro 32-bit until Windows 7 Pro 64-bit is 'fixed' (which mightbe months or years after release)?" The comments above seem to say "No", which makes me want to buy the Windows 7 Pro license now (because I'm cheap :-) but not try it out for several months after its release (so hopefully others will find & report problems and MS will fix them). Anyway, if I want to buy the Windows 7 Pro license for half-price, I've only got today & tomorrow -- I'll probably go ahead andbuy it, it's just frustrating that MS marketing's information doesn't tell me whether I can 'drop back' to XP after upgrading if I need to. That's just what I'd like to know, clw Sacto, and why. My earlier question about installing XP on another computer has been anwered, but it still leaves this one (also the matter of reinstalls, but that's ongoing in another thread ).

Hi clw Sacto: Since you have to be able to re-install your original XP operating system to be able to re-install the Win7 Update version in case of an unresolved failure of your operating system, you will be able to re-install your XP operating system at which time you have to remove the Win7 O.S. and re-validate your XP system. When you do this you will undoubtedly have to use a phone activation and explain you have removed the Win7 Update version and that XP is the only O.S. now needing to use the key. Then when you "re-update" to Win7 again it will take over that license key. The purpose of all this license stuff is to ensure you are only using one version of Windows when that's all you have paid for. Obviously they will keep track and frequent returns to XP and then back again to Win7 will eventually result in them refusing to validate the operating system I would think.

Update: I've been getting a headache poring over this forum trying to get an answer to the reinstall question, and have decided to follow my first instinct and purchase the full version of Windows 7 Professional. I guess--I hope--the reinstall questions for those who are getting the upgrade will be settled so that there is a clear path for those who change their hardware.In my case, I decided I definitely wanted the option of installing my copy of XP legally on another computer, so this was the way to go.

Hi PhoenixGTR: I think you will be glad you bought the full Retail Version. That gives you the option to dual-boot as you wanted and also the option to move to a completely different PC build and your Win7 Pro will still work on that. With 4 computers I wish I could afford to buy all "full" retail versions but alas, after only just buying Vista not much more than a year ago I can't rationalize spending that much. I will just use the upgrade versions and get rid of my Vista Ultimate, 2 Vista HP and my XP operating systems. If I ever have to re-install on the same PCs I will of course have full system image back-ups for each PC so I don't have to re-install Vista or XP and then use the Win7 upgrade discs. That should make it pretty easy if a drive fails etc.

Hi derosnec: Not all computers are cheap! Try walking into Walmart and picking up a $300 PC that has a quality media motherboard, quadcore cpu, 7 HDDs, 600w PSU, blue-ray dvd drive, 2 digital tv tuners, a good graphics card with HDMI output.....etc, etc , etc!

Yes, but it will have a hard drive with factory installed O/S.

What good would just that do if you need the rest of it? And if you installed that HDD in a computer with the rest of the specs, would it continue to work?And then what if that HDD died? I'd rather spend my $300 on a full-version OS I know I can install to my system, present or future, and have my WinXP license to fall back on.But to each his/her own...

I'm just pointing out that you can get a low-end computerpractically for free while upgrading your high-end one.For some folks, that would be a good approach.

I think I see what you're saying, and I considered something similar, but the question would still remain what would happen if I had to reinstall on the high-end PC. And that remains quite unsettled. Also, as newnerd pointed out, I might want to dual-boot. And there's no other way to do that except having a full Win7 license in addition to my XP one. I'm not saying the other approach is bad. Whatever floats your boat (and doesn't violate the EULA...;-) )

Image-backup plus recovery-cd would solve your first concern.

Thank you for your clearification, Carey. Just one last little question on this upgrade path, this PC had an original copy of Vista Ultimate, it is currently running W-7 RC. So, to put an upgrade on this PC could I boot off of the W-7 disk and when it asks for a qualifying OS, insert the Vista disk. I don't think the RC will work for that purpose. Also, my wife's PC and my laptop are both running XP Pro. Using the W-7 install and following your description above can I actually format the Disk and have a completely clean install? That is VERY important for me. If not, I'll need to acquire the full OS. I don't want to carry over trash from an old installation. Thank you very much for your information. Very useful!--Bob Harris