Overview Of The Windows 7 Upgrade Program
The Windows 7 Upgrade Program is designed to assist Microsoft's OEM partners in minimizing the number of end users who may postpone acquiring a new computer because of the impending release of the Windows 7 operating system. This program allows OEMs to offer an upgrade to Windows 7 to end users who qualify.
This is a consumer-oriented program targeted at individual consumers and small businesses that have purchased eligible PCs during the Program Eligibility Period. End users will have to meet these requirements to be deemed eligible for the upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released :
* End users must purchase a new PC that is pre-installed with an eligible Windows Vista Operating System (OS), during the program eligibility window.
* The PC must have a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached.
* The only Windows Vista® versions eligible for the program are :
1. Windows Vista® Home Premium
2. Windows Vista® Business
3. Windows Vista® Ultimate
* Microsoft Windows Vista® Home Basic, Windows Vista® Starter Edition, and Windows® XP (all editions) are not qualifying products under the program.
* The Program does not support multiple upgrades for medium, large, or enterprise customers. Customers that want to upgrade multiple PCs should use the appropriate Microsoft Volume Licensing program. See www.microsoft.com/licensing for more details.
* The following are the only valid upgrade paths under the program :
1. Windows Vista® Home Premium -> Windows® 7 Home Premium
2. Windows Vista® Business -> Windows® 7 Professional
3. Windows Vista® Ultimate -> Windows® 7 Ultimate
Do note that this is an optional program, so not all OEMs may choose to participate. OEMs that choose to participate in this upgrade program will have the freedom to determine how to best provide qualifying end users with the details.
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Additional Upgrade Path Restrictions :
* A language version of the qualifying Windows Vista product can only be upgraded to the same language version of the Windows 7 upgrade software.
* The Windows Vista product can only be upgraded to the associated edition of the upgrade software. For example, Windows Vista Home Premium K edition can only be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium K edition.
* OEMs must ship media as defined in these permitted upgrade paths. No other upgrade paths are available and supported under the Program.
* If an end user attempts to upgrade to an unsupported upgrade path, the end user may have to re-format the PC hard drive and/or may lose applications, files and settings available with the previous installed version of Windows. For example, the following upgrades are not allowed in the program :
- Upgrades from Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Starter
- Upgrades from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate
- Upgrades from Windows Vista Business to Windows 7 Ultimate
* New! Windows Vista 64-bit to Windows 7 64-bit upgrades are fully supported, but 32-bit to 64-bit upgrades are not supported and will be blocked by the Windows 7 upgrade process. A clean install will be allowed though.
* New! Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrades are also not supported, and will be blocked by the Windows 7 upgrade process. The only way is to do a clean install using the Windows 7 Upgrade Option media.
Editor's Note : Microsoft does not allow a Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrade. The Windows XP Downgrade above refers to the optional Windows XP downgrade provided by certain OEMs. Unlike actual Windows XP installations, they come with a Windows Vista COA (Certificate of Authenticity) and are therefore eligible for the upgrade program. Hence, users with Windows XP Downgrade licenses can upgrade to Windows 7. Technically wise the upgrade option in the setup will be disabled but the customer is able to do a clean install.
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New! Windows 7 Upgrade Requirements
Microsoft currently lists the following as the minimum recommended hardware specifications for running Windows 7. Although this is still subject to change, it is unlikely to change much at this late stage.
* 32-bit or 64-bit processor @ 1 GHz
* 1 GB of system memory
* 16 GB of available disk space
* Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128MB memory (to enable the Aero theme)
* DVD-R/W drive
* Internet access
Note : Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV or navigation through the use of "touch," may require advanced or additional hardware.
Pre-installed Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 will be required for the Windows 7 Upgrade option. Windows XP that was installed as a downgrade from a Windows Vista license is also eligible under the program but it will not support a direct upgrade to Windows 7. A clean install is necessary.
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Windows 7 SKU Summary
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