XP OEM Upgrade?

[xenolalia]

Hi,

I have an OEM copy of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 installed on my current machine. Though I think I know the answer, I just wanted to confirm:

Am I eligible to purchase/install the upgrade version of Windows 7 Professional on my new machine?

Thanks very much!

 

[The_Prophecy]

Any edition of Windows XP qualifies for an upgrade to Windows 7, though you won't be able to do an in-place upgrade. A migration install is necessary.

 

[cassandraf_winteam]

Hello xenolalia,

As The_Prophecy said, XP users (even with OEM XP) are eligible to purchase the upgrade version of Windows 7. However, you will have to do a custom installation, meaning your computer will be wiped clean during the installation. Make sure you back up to an external hard drive before beginning the installation.

I'd also recommend running the Upgrade Advisor before beginning the installation. It will scan your system and let you know if you need to make any changes before upgrading. This guide will explain more and help you through the process - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7


Cheers,
Cassandra
Microsoft Windows Outreach

 

[FALC0N]

Hi,

I have an OEM copy of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 installed on my current machine. Though I think I know the answer, I just wanted to confirm:

Am I eligible to purchase/install the upgrade version of Windows 7 Professional on my new machine?

Thanks very much!

Actually, the answer is technically NO.

The OEM version you have now, at least according to MS licensing terms, is tied to the motherboard and nontransferable. Whatever machine you upgrade must have a valid upgradable OS already.

You can upgrade the XP OEM version ON THAT MACHINE to windows 7. But it cannot be moved to a new machine. The upgrade inherits the limitations of the original copy.

Now you can move the upgrade. Say you upgrade your XP OEM on your current machine to windows 7 and 6 months from now you buy another system with Vista. You can Move the Windows 7 upgrade from your current system to the new system.

Now retail licenses are different. If you had XP retail, you could upgrade AND the whole package could be moved to a new system. This is because the upgrade inherits the license characteristics of the upgraded OS.

Yes its long and complicated. And even microsoft gets it mixed up sometimes. But thats the legalisms of the windows EULA. In a nutshell, a big nutshell.

 

[windows7guy]

Hello xenolalia,

Prior to migrating to Windows 7 from Windows XP did you run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor?

To determine if your current computer configuration will be compatible with Windows 7 please go to the following link: http://tinyurl.com/no4xb7

Another resource to verify compatibility is available at the Microsoft Windows 7 Compatibility Center located at the following link: http://bit.ly/1gW6Ns


Thanks again,
John M
Microsoft Windows Client Support

 

[Jonmor68]

As xenolalia's question relates to upgrading using an OEM disk installed on an old pc to a new pc, the FALCON has given the correct reply.