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Windows 8 forum: Upgrade an unregistered copy of Windows 7?

by: bhailey January 25, 2013 5:37 PM PST

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Upgrade an unregistered copy of Windows 7?

by bhailey - 1/25/13 5:37 PM

I want to upgrade to Windows 8.
I bought a PC that has an unregistered copy of Windows 7.
Its hard drive has a recovery partition with the original XP that came with the computer. I have a registered copy of Windows 7, but the software will not allow me to install the registered copy because the installed copy is Ultimate, and the registered copy would be a downgrade.
Will Windows 8 install replacing the unregistered copy of Windows 7, or do I have to go back to XP? If I have to go back to XP, is there an advantage to then installing my registered copy of Windows 7 before installing Windows 8, or should I go straight from XP to Windows 8?
I have an external hard drive to back up my data, but I am concerned about having to re-install all of my programs. I assume that I have to re-install data and programs if I go back to XP. If Windows 8 allows me to install directly on my unregistered Windows 7, are the data and/or programs protected?


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I've been told that you can

by wpgwpg - 1/25/13 5:54 PM

In Reply to: Upgrade an unregistered copy of Windows 7? by bhailey

I've been told that Windows 7 doesn't have to be activated to install the Windows 8 upgrade. I've installed Windows 8 on two computers with Windows 7, but both were activated. One was Windows 7 Pro 32 bit, the other PC had 3 different versions of Windows 7. Before doing something like this I always do a full system backup in case Murphy strikes as he loves to do.

Good luck.


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Thanks, and add'l information. And a followup.

by bhailey - 1/25/13 10:02 PM

In Reply to: I've been told that you can by wpgwpg

Thank you.
Since I posted the question, I downloaded the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant and ran it. It is supposed to check the computer and software for compatibility. The only thing it mentioned as problems were several programs that I have installed.
I want to buy Windows 8 by January 31, before the price goes way up.

Question: I assume that I can buy and download the software by January 31, but If I haven't had time to get everything backed up and checked out, Microsoft doesn't care if I install Windows 8 after January 31?


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Install when you want to

by chippe01 - 2/4/13 4:13 AM

In Reply to: Thanks, and add'l information. And a followup. by bhailey

January 31 was just the price reduction cutoff. You can install it any time you like.


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Yes, I've done it myself

by pab24 - 2/9/13 12:41 AM

In Reply to: Upgrade an unregistered copy of Windows 7? by bhailey

I downloaded a system builder version of Windows 7 online. (It's easy to find via google). I installed it without activation keys, then after install I upgraded to Windows 8 Pro which I purchased from the Microsoft online store during the 39.99 promo period. (I wish I had bought one more copy at the time at that price when I had the chance, so I could do the same thing on other PCs - oh well).

Anyway, there were no issues.


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