Upgrading from win 7 home premium to win 7 prof.

[subbamma]

Hi,
I have a pc with win 7 home premium.
I have an old laptop with win 7 professional, retail, not oem.
I wish to replace home premium 7 with win 7 prof from the old pc. I am going to wipe old pc.

So my questions are
1. Is it possible and legal to do so?
2. When I upgrade do I lose my existing apps? (My data is backed up!!)
3. Is there any difference between Microsoft any time upgrade and retail versions of windows professional?
Many thanks for your time and advice.
Subbamma

 

[Supermuncher85]

1.) It should be assuming you don't use the laptop anymore
2.) Maybe
3.) I've used anytime upgrade and it worked great, transferred all my apps and data no problem, but that was using a Microsoft bought key so not sure if it works with the retail key you have. This is almost something you need to call Microsoft about, you might need a clean install in which case 2.) is you will need to reinstall apps.

 

[BrandX]

1. If it's a retail copy of Windows Professional, then sure no problem. Remove the license from the laptop and transfer it to the desktop PC. You might need to contact Microsoft for a new activation code, but apart from that it's just a case of changing the license key.

2. An upgrade should not affect your files or system at all, it just adds extra functions.

3. Err... I don't know.

Btw, even if the copy of Windows Premium currently installed on your desktop PC is an OEM, you might try phoning Microsoft and asking for a new activation code for that copy too. An OEM is supposed to be non-reusable, but if you don't ask you don't get. Just don't mention it's an OEM.