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AnswerXP Volume License to Windows 7 Upgrade

  • Monday, July 06, 2009 11:46 PMDagon13 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    I have two questions related to my current situation.  I am currently a college student using a copy of Windows XP that is part of a volume license through my university. 

    1)  If I were to purchase a copy of Windows 7 Upgrade would I be able to install it even though I am on a volume license? 

    Assuming yes, soon I will be graduating and my copy of the volume license will no longer be legit.

    2)  If I need to re-install down the road, after my XP license is no longer legit, will the Windows 7 Upgrade still work?

    Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
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  • Tuesday, July 07, 2009 12:16 AMJonathan Matthis aka 7tester Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    The XP installation is valid. Everyone seems to have a hard time understanding that the upgrade looks for a genuine copy of XP or Vista and has nothing to do with activation keys of either. So in short, if your copy of XP is genuine then you're good for the upgrade, the upgrade will work down the road as well so long as you have the XP installation disc to re-install XP and re-upgrade back to Windows 7.
    Jonathan Matthis aka "7tester" on MSN QnA
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    Windows 7 QnA
    http://windows 7qna.ning.com
     

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  • Tuesday, July 07, 2009 12:16 AMJonathan Matthis aka 7tester Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
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    The XP installation is valid. Everyone seems to have a hard time understanding that the upgrade looks for a genuine copy of XP or Vista and has nothing to do with activation keys of either. So in short, if your copy of XP is genuine then you're good for the upgrade, the upgrade will work down the road as well so long as you have the XP installation disc to re-install XP and re-upgrade back to Windows 7.
    Jonathan Matthis aka "7tester" on MSN QnA
    Chief Site Administrator
    Windows 7 QnA
    http://windows 7qna.ning.com
     
  • Tuesday, July 07, 2009 2:54 AMDagon13 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    Is the genuinity of the product not directly related to the activation keys?
     
  • Tuesday, July 07, 2009 4:02 AMJonathan Matthis aka 7tester Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    Not technically no, since you could install XP or Vista and then upgrade to Windows 7 within the 30 day activation grace limit
    Jonathan Matthis aka "7tester" on MSN QnA
    Chief Site Administrator
    Windows 7 QnA
    http://windows 7qna.ning.com
     
  • Tuesday, July 07, 2009 9:52 PMDagon13 Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    I see, thanks for your help.  Now I can purchase the upgrade without worrying about buying an expensive paperweight.
     
  • Tuesday, July 07, 2009 10:39 PMJonathan Matthis aka 7tester Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    No problem. What you have to realize is even though you're using a volume license of XP, just because you graduate doesn't mean the university/college turns around looks through thousand of keys listed somewhere to find your one key (keep in mind what these keys look like....12-32 characters long alpha-numeric) and then call some phone number for Microsoft to say hey deactivate this key. They wouldn't do that even if they could because they themselves would then just be "leasing" the keys from Microsoft for a butt-load of money. Bottom line, your XP is your XP to keep until you decide what you're going to do with it (i.e. upgrade to Windows 7)
    Jonathan Matthis aka "7tester" on MSN QnA
    Chief Site Administrator
    Windows 7 QnA
    http://windows 7qna.ning.com
     
  • Friday, October 02, 2009 11:22 AMjawj Users MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers MedalsUsers Medals
     
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    I had exactly this same question.

    Can I ask if you're absolutely certain that your answer is correct?

    I ask because I've seen a lot of references to the Windows 7 Upgrade version requiring an 'activated' copy of XP or Vista. As I understand it, my volume-licensed copy of XP is not technically 'activated' (i.e. it has never phoned home to Microsoft), because it doesn't need to be.

    I note that in another thread you said: "if you use the upgrade discs, the upgrade must be used to replace XP and will invalidate the activation key". My product key surely cannot be invalidated like this, since it is a volume key and has been used (legitimately) on multiple installations.

    For these reasons I'm still worried that the Upgrade installation will fail, and I'll have wasted my money.

    Many thanks,
    George