Windows 7 Version Changes with Anytime Upgrade
I’ve seen several people over the last few weeks tweet about getting the wrong version of Windows 7 on a new laptop. They then say that they will be formatting and reinstalling Windows. Don’t do it!
With Anytime Upgrade, you can just enter the appropriate key for the version you have licensed and you’ll be all set. It probably won’t take more than 15 minutes of the disk whirring with no input from you. All of Windows 7 is installed by default; the key just unlocks the pieces.
See this page about Anytime Upgrade for info and this page for instructions (snipped out below)
If you want more features than you currently have in your existing edition of Windows 7, you can upgrade to another edition using Windows Anytime Upgrade. Pricing information for each edition of Windows 7 is available as part of the Windows Anytime Upgrade process.
Here’s how to begin:
- Open Windows Anytime Upgrade by clicking the Start button
. In the search box, type anytime upgrade, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Anytime Upgrade.
- Follow the instructions on each page.
When the upgrade is complete, you will have a new edition of Windows 7 running on your computer.
Notes
- Windows Anytime Upgrade will only allow upgrades from a 32-bit version to a 32-bit version or from a 64-bit version to a 64-bit version. You can’t upgrade from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version with Windows Anytime Upgrade, for example. For more information about 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.
Windows Anytime Upgrade isn’t available in all editions of Windows 7, such as Windows 7 Ultimate edition.