Is it still possible to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 for free?

Hi Mikey,

Unfortunately, Windows Vista upgrade to Windows 7 for free is not available anymore. I believe that closed around 2010.

Hi Mikey,

Unfortunately, Windows Vista upgrade to Windows 7 for free is not available anymore. I believe that closed around 2010. If you can get your hand on an old PC that has Windows 7 on it, you can use the license key from that PC to get a "free" legitimate copy of a Windows 7 upgrade on your machine.

Just ask around if anyone has a rusted PC that has Win 7 on it :)

Cheers

FYI:

You do not understand Windows Licensing Rules to give out that type of information.

If the Laptop/Computer came with the Windows Operating System preinstalled (Dell, HP, Acer, etc) or is an OEM System Builders License, that Product Key that came with the Laptop/Computer is for the preinstalled OEM License and is non-transferable.

The OEM License/Product Key (preinstalled Operating Systems on Dell, HP, etc machines) and OEM System Builders License are tied to the first machine it is installed on and dies when that machine dies.

Only Retail Operating System License, that you buy and install yourself, are allowed to be transferred to another machine.

And Retail Licenses can also only be installed on one machine at any particular time.

Regards.

Hi,

Windows 7 does not come for free; you have to buy it.

Microsoft no longer sells Windows 7; try amazon.com.

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There was that free offer years ago; long expired.

How does the Windows 7 Upgrade Option work?

The Windows 7 Upgrade Option is available through participating PC manufacturers on selected PCs and through Microsoft on qualifying purchases of the Windows Vista packaged product. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option applies to Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions. Your Windows 7 upgrade will be to the comparable version: so you'll get either Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional (the upgrade to Windows Vista Business), or Windows 7 Ultimate, respectively. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option program runs from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010. Some Manufacturers may choose to shorten the Upgrade Option time frame.

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Follow these steps before you buy Windows 7:

Go to your Computer / Laptop Manufacturer's website and see if Windows 7 Drivers are available for your Make and Model Computer / Laptop.

If not available, Windows 7 will not work correctly for you.

Run the "Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor"

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20

Check to see if your System Specifications are compatible for Windows 7:

"Windows 7 system requirements"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements

Windows 7 Upgrade paths:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd772579(v=ws.10).aspx

Cheers.

This is how it was supposed to work to reinstall on a Dell.

Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings for ... - Dell

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You can reinstall or do a repair upgrade reinstall using this media.

But with a repair install Vista has to be up and running to do it, not like XP was where you could boot from the disk and do a repair install

You can borrow and use a Microsoft Vista DVD (Retail or OEM System Builders License) , that contains the files for the various Vista Editions (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate) to be installed. The Product Key on your Computer / Laptop case determines which Edition is installed.

The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

Other Manufacturers' Recovery DVDs are not to be used for the above purpose.

And you need to know the "bit" version for Vista, as 32bit and 64bit Editions come on different DVDs.

Here is how to do a clean install of Vista, using a Microsoft Vista DVD:

"How to Do a Clean Install and Setup with a Full Version of Vista"

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html

And once the Operating System is installed, go to your Computer Manufacturer's website and obtain the latest Drivers for your particular Model Computer or Laptop.

And phone Activation may be required when using the above clean install Method.

"How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation"

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84488-activate-vista-phone.html

Cheers

Hi Bill,

Thank you for your knowledge. Definitely did not know the specifics of the licensing there. It was a practice that was done by my colleagues and did not know that that is illegal. The post has been edited to clear that part of the message. I will definitely exercise this from now on.

Cheers