First, some definitions: a “custom install” is really Microsoft’s way of saying “fresh install” either to completely replace your current OS or to install Windows 7 on a specific drive or partition separate from your currently installed Windows Vista partition. That means that no matter what way you slice it, your Windows 7 installation will be a base, clean install without your applications or files. An “in-place upgrade” allows you to keep all of your files and applications and simply install the new Windows 7 system as a replacement to Windows Vista.
While the in-place upgrade option allows for the easiest transition since you don’t have to reinstall applications or move files around, most enthusiasts will likely want to use this upgrade as a chance to get a fresh start on a new PC by using the “custom install” option anyway. Your mom though, she’d probably be okay with the in-place upgrade.
With that out of the way, it would appear that Microsoft is NOT being very flexible here. The only way to get an in-place upgrade option if you want it is to either match the version of Vista you have with the version of Windows 7 you will purchase (Business to Business, Home Premium to Home Premium) or to get the Ultimate version of Windows 7 that is a total rip off. Also, you have to match the “bits” so to speak – you can only do an in-place upgrade FROM a 32-bit OS to a 32-bit OS – so if you were planning on using this chance to upgrade your system to 64-bit ready – sorry, only going to happen with clean installation.
There are NO in-place upgrades available for Windows Vista Starter Edition users or for Windows XP users. Another “booo” from us here.
But hey, at least now we know.
While the in-place upgrade option allows for the easiest transition since you don’t have to reinstall applications or move files around, most enthusiasts will likely want to use this upgrade as a chance to get a fresh start on a new PC by using the “custom install” option anyway. Your mom though, she’d probably be okay with the in-place upgrade.
With that out of the way, it would appear that Microsoft is NOT being very flexible here. The only way to get an in-place upgrade option if you want it is to either match the version of Vista you have with the version of Windows 7 you will purchase (Business to Business, Home Premium to Home Premium) or to get the Ultimate version of Windows 7 that is a total rip off. Also, you have to match the “bits” so to speak – you can only do an in-place upgrade FROM a 32-bit OS to a 32-bit OS – so if you were planning on using this chance to upgrade your system to 64-bit ready – sorry, only going to happen with clean installation.
There are NO in-place upgrades available for Windows Vista Starter Edition users or for Windows XP users. Another “booo” from us here.
But hey, at least now we know.
