Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows Vista > Vista General Discussion > Install Vista Ultimate over Home Premium

Install Vista Ultimate over Home Premium

Forum Windows Vista : Vista General Discussion - Install Vista Ultimate over Home Premium

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
Dapsone   03-11-2007 at 04:25:54 AM

Hey -

I may buy a new notebook with Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed.

I can buy an academic version of Windows Vista Ultimate for $5.

Does anyone know if it would be possible to just install Ultimate "over" Home Premium? Or would you strongly suggest to clean install?

Thanks!

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
Dapsone   03-11-2007 at 03:43:19 PM
- 0 +

any thoughts?

Reply to Dapsone
exit2dos   03-11-2007 at 04:31:05 PM
- 0 +

If you don't need any specific features, I recommend not upgrading. For me, notebooks are a little too restricive (memory, drive speed & space, etc.) to put a hungrier Vista version on. If you ever plan on having a desktop - I would get the Academic version and wait until then.

If you do upgrade your notebook, I would install it over Home Premium. Vista is designed to be version upgradable - so it should only install the new features, without disturbing the initial install (In theory - I haven't tried this - nor do I know anyone who has.).

I wouldn't do a "Clean" Install on a prebuilt system. There is a chance the OEM uses a custom driver, or has a custom chip or component. In which case, tracking drivers down could be a real pain. Plus, if you got any incuded software (such as Office) on it, you may not be able to re-install it since most OEM's no longer include the disks.

Reply to exit2dos
Dapsone   03-11-2007 at 04:47:23 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

If you don't need any specific features, I recommend not upgrading. For me, notebooks are a little too restricive (memory, drive speed & space, etc.) to put a hungrier Vista version on. If you ever plan on having a desktop - I would get the Academic version and wait until then.



Actually, I did some research online today on the differences in versions, and I think I see where you're coming from. Although, I am considering a fairly pimped out notebook build; I'll keep this in mind.

Quote :

If you do upgrade your notebook, I would install it over Home Premium. Vista is designed to be version upgradable - so it should only install the new features, without disturbing the initial install (In theory - I haven't tried this - nor do I know anyone who has.).



That's exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!

Quote :

I wouldn't do a "Clean" Install on a prebuilt system. There is a chance the OEM uses a custom driver, or has a custom chip or component. In which case, tracking drivers down could be a real pain. Plus, if you got any incuded software (such as Office) on it, you may not be able to re-install it since most OEM's no longer include the disks.



Interesting point; I've always built my own PC's, this will be my first notebook (which I suppose you could build... if you wanted?) and so I never thought of this point.

Thanks for your advice, it is well taken!

Reply to Dapsone
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows Vista > Vista General Discussion > Install Vista Ultimate over Home Premium
Go to:

There are 1321 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.424 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them