Solved Upgrading "using" Vista but running with Win7 & Win8

Mark Phelps

New Member
VIP Member
Pro User
Messages
1,041
I'm using Win7 all the time and want to upgrade to Win8 Pro. So, I bought the upgrade DVD from a local MicroCenter store.

According to the EULA, however, if I upgrade using Win7, then I can no longer legally use Win7 on this PC -- which would be a bad situation for me.

So, instead, I want to use Vista as the "qualifying OS" -- as I have an old copy of Vista Ultimate that I removed from this PC when I migrated to a much smaller SSD.

Question is, though, since I only have Win7 installed at present, and don't have room on the SSD to reinstall Vista AND then install Win8, how can I use Vista as the "qualifying OS" for the upgrade? Does it prompt for an OS version and a key?

I've been told to use the Upgrade Assistant, but when I launched that, it wanted me to go to MS and purchase an upgrade -- which I already have in DVD form. So, I don't want to buy it again.

When I messed around with Win7, I actually installed it several times in different ways -- which you could do because you could install it without using a key; but in the case of Win8, I believe you have to provide the key during the install. So, that doesn't give me any flexibility with trying different installation schemes.

So, one approach is to do the following:
1) Replace Win7 on the SSD with Vista
2) Boot using the SSD to confirm that Vista works OK
3) Boot from the Win8 DVD and "upgrade" using it, but do not transfer anything -- basically, this would be a clean install.
4) Boot from CD and remove Vista from the SSD
5) Reboot from MR CD and "restore" the current Win7 image in place of Vista
6) Reboot using the SSD

While this would get me BOTH Win7 and Win8 on the SSD, the problem is, the boot loader setup would boot me into Win7. However, I DO have EasyBCD on Win7, so if I ran it and added an entry for Win8, then I could reboot, but this time, into Win8.

Once in Win8, would there then be a way to "repair" the boot loader files so that the Win7 files are replaced by Win8?
 

My Computer


Thanks -- but I've already read this... and it clearly says "existing Operating System" -- which right NOW, is Win7. So, if I do the upgrade with Win7 on the SSD, then I have no legal right to continue to use Win7. Right?

That's why I want to do is upgrade using Vista -- which is why I proposed the scheme above -- that way, I can legally continue to use Win7 after the upgrade.
 

My Computer

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/10837-windows-8-eula.html

Microsoft said:
What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.

You would have Vista as the original software. No need for Vista to be installed.


Vista up win 8.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
You are welcome.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I am VERY pleased to report that this went much better than I had expected. I did a clean install using the Win8 DVD and was surprised to find out after restarting, that my copy is fully activated automatically. Also, it found drivers for ALL my hardware -- also automatically.

And ... what's equally important, I can still use Win7 without any limitations.

In fact, I'm posting this from Win8 IE10 (on the desktop, of course).

Now, to have some "fun" messing around with Start Menu replacements ...
 

My Computer

That is good news. :dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Back
Top