Windows 7
 

I purchased a new laptop this this. I have Vista Home Premium OS. Can I update to Windows 7 for free and can I just do the update and not the clean install?

AFIK Windows 7 requires a clean install (I know for certain one cannot upgrade from XP).

Uncle Bill might offer a discount for 7 if you have a legitimate copy of Vista. But free? From Micro$oft? Ha ha ha ha ha.

Not sure of what you were trying to say when you wrote, "I purchased a new laptop this this". Congradulations, I guess.

Thanks for the reply. I purchased a new HP Laptop this year from Best Buy. It came loaded with software, such as Cyberlink DIV Suite, Windows Defender (which might be part of Vista Home Premium) and trial version of Windows Office. I downloaded and use Open Office, Firefox and Thunderbird which would all be easy to restore from the Web. But, I do not have CD for Cyberlink. There are also some HP software like HP MediaSmart HP Total Care Advisor and no CDs either. I guess they are nothing that I could not live with out, and I could restore all other software, but I thought that one of the advantages of purchasing Vista Home Premium was that upgrade to Windows 7 from Free. Now please don't start laughing again.

this is possible if that was part of the terms of purchase....

not sure how the process would go as I've never done anything like that...I've always done a clean install of an OS....

I had Vista Ultimate, never installed, sold it for $200. I never got around to reading anything re upgrades to future Windows OS. So, indeed it's possible that M$ included that option (supressing my laughter). However, as Peerless said, it may also have been part of your deal with Best Buy. Gotta read the fine print.

I still don't know for sure if you need to clean install when upgrading from Vista to 7.

One thing, you should check first is if HP provides you with all the drivers for Windows7 for your laptop. If they promise easy upgrade, then most likely they do, but check to be sure.

HP Support & Drivers

As for the upgrade being free (or cheaper). You should either have documentation about this received inside the box your computer came in. Or alternatively through an easy upgrade solution software installed on your Laptop (look through programs installed). If you can't find either of those, then check with the store, where you bought it.

Free Upgrade to Windows 7
 

Guys

I think that "Darryl's Account" is right about free Windows 7 upgrades for people buying computers with Vista installed. However, how this upgrade is going to be performed is a bit hazy.

However, "Darryl's Account" should find out if this Windows 7 upgrade is offered by the computer manufacturer, directly from Microsoft or from the store where he bought his machine.

Also, Sleepless is right about having the correct drivers because there is no point in upgrading if your machine then stops working.


UK Bob

I have contacted Best Buy and I will be sent a CD from Microsoft when Windows 7 comes out. Best Buy Geek Squad says I do NOT need to do a clean install. This all sounds good to me. If things do not work out well with the upgrade, I can always do a clean install later. Thank you all for your responses.

I have tried Limewire and Java with my evaluation copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and it does not work. Limewire i.e. Gnutella will need to bring out a patch to make it work. Please let us know when this happens. Garry

AFAIK LW does work with Windows 7 according to others who use it. You may need to change compatibility mode or something on LW.