The other day I was discussing with a friend the benefits of dual-booting Windows 8 using a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) as I wrote about in the article Dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 using a VHD. My friend has Windows 7 Home Premium installed on his computer and was saying that he would give anything for a way to add the Bootable VHD feature to his system so that he could experiment with Windows 8 and keep his Windows 7 setup intact. (As you know, the ability to boot from VHD is only available in Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise.)
When I told him that there was a way he could do so, he was all ears. When told him that it would cost him about $140, he was still open to the idea saying that if it would allow him to install Windows 8 on a VHD, it would be worth it.
I then explained how he could purchase a Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade key that would allow him to easily upgrade his Windows 7 Home Premium system to Windows 7 Ultimate. A half hour later we were standing in line at the local Best Buy purchasing a Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade key.
The upgrade went very smooth and soon my friend was installing Windows 8 to a VHD. After we were finished, I figured that there were probably other folks out there that would be interested in learning more about using Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade to be able to install Windows 8 on a bootable VHD. As such, in this article, I’ll walk you step by step thru the entire procedure of using Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade to upgrade a Windows 7 Home Premium system to Windows 7 Ultimate.
This blog post is also available in the slideshow format in a TechRepublic Photo Gallery.
Sign up for TechRepublic’s Windows and Office newsletter!
Editor’s Note: Since this article was published, it has been discovered that Native VHD Boot is available in all versions of Windows 7, which means that you can set up a Windows 8 dual-boot configuration in Windows 7 Home Premium. See the article Native VHD Boot is available in all versions of Windows 7 for more detail.
Creating a System Image
Even though the Upgrade will not alter any of your data or other configuration settings, I recommend that the first thing that you’ll want to do is create a System Image from within Windows 7’s Backup and Restore. When you do, you’ll end up with a complete image of your hard disk. That way, if anything out of the ordinary were to occur as you follow the steps for performing the Windows Anytime Upgrade, you will be able to return to your current configuration.
Furthermore, I recommend that you also create a separate backup of your data. Maybe just make copies of all your data files on CD/DVD or on an external hard disk. While it may sound like overkill, having an extra backup will give you peace of mind.
To create a system image, you’ll need to have a CD-RW/DVD-RW drive, an external hard disk, or access to a network drive. To access Backup and Restore, click the Start button, type Backup in the Search box, and press [Enter] when Backup and Restore appears in the result pane.
Once you have Backup and Restore up, select the Create a System Image option and choose your backup location. As you can see in Figure A, I used a DVD-RW drive on my system.
Figure A
On my test system, I’ll use DVDs to create my system image.
As you can see in Figure B, on my test system all the partitions on the drive are selected by default. To initiate the operation, just click Start backup. On my test system with a 500GB hard disk, it took over an hour and required eight DVDs.
Figure B
Creating a System Image on DVDs takes a little while.
When the System Image is complete, you’ll be prompted to create a System Repair disc, as shown in Figure C. This is the disc that you will use to boot your system and restore your system image in the event that you need it.
Figure C
When the System Image is complete, you’ll be prompted to create a System Repair disc.
As soon as the System Image is complete and before you begin the Windows Anytime Upgrade procedure, I recommend that you reboot your system to make sure that you have a clean slate.
Getting a Windows Anytime Upgrade key
You can purchase a Windows Anytime Upgrade key right from within Windows 7, you can get one from an online store such as Amazon, or you can get one from a local store such as Best Buy. To purchase Windows Anytime Upgrade key from within Windows 7, click the Start button and type Anytime in the Start search box. When you see Windows Anytime Upgrade appear in the results, press [Enter]. You’ll then see the Windows Anytime Upgrade window, shown in Figure D. (Note that in the upper right corner of the window, it shows that on my test system I am currently running Windows 7 Home Premium.)
Figure D
The Windows Anytime Upgrade feature is built into Windows 7.
When you click the Go online button, you’ll see the next Windows Anytime Upgrade window, shown in Figure E, and will click the Buy button under the Ultimate heading. Once you work through the steps, you’ll instantly receive the Windows Anytime Upgrade key and the upgrade will begin immediately. (Don’t worry, you will have the opportunity to print out a receipt and a copy of the receipt will be sent to you via email.)
Figure E
You can go online to the Microsoft site and purchase a Windows Anytime Upgrade key.
If you purchase a retail copy of Windows Anytime Upgrade, you’ll actually get a 25 character alphanumeric key. To use the key, follow the instructions to access the Windows Anytime Upgrade window shown above in Figure D. You’ll then click the Enter an upgrade key button. When you do, you’ll see the window shown in Figure F and will be prompted to enter the key.
Figure F
If you purchase a retail version of Windows Anytime Upgrade, you’ll have to manually enter the 25 character alphanumeric key.
After you enter the key and click Next, Windows Anytime Upgrade will verify that the key that you entered is valid, as shown in Figure G. It takes just a few seconds to complete this step.
Figure G
It will take a just a few seconds for the system to verify the Windows Anytime Upgrade key.
You’ll then be prompted to accept the license terms for the upgrade, as shown in Figure H. If you want all the details, just click the Microsoft Software License Terms link.
Figure H
Of course, you have to accept the license terms.
As soon as you click the I accept button, you’ll see the next screen which prompts you to make sure all of your open programs are closed, as shown in Figure I. To begin the procedure, just click the Upgrade button.
Figure I
Before the actual upgrade begins, you’ll be reminded to close all open programs.
Once the Upgrade begins, as shown in Figure J, it will take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes depending on whether updates are needed. On my example system, only one update was needed.
Figure J
The upgrade will take about 10 minutes to complete.
During the Upgrade your system will reboot several times. I noticed that after the first reboot, you’ll see a screen like the one shown in Figure K, which shows that at this point the operating system is still Windows 7 Home Premium.
Figure K
At this point the operating system is still Windows 7 Home Premium.
However, after the second reboot, you’ll see that the screen is showing that the operating system is now Windows 7 Ultimate, as shown in Figure L.
Figure L
After the second reboot the operating system is now Windows 7 Ultimate.
After the upgrade’s final reboot, you’ll see that the Logon screen now shows the operating system as Windows 7 Ultimate. When you log on for the first time, you’ll see the last screen in the Windows Anytime Upgrade procedure, as shown in Figure M. To complete the operation, just click Close.
Figure M
The last screen in the Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade procedure will appear on the screen when you log on to Windows Ultimate for the first time.
At this point, you can read my article Dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 using a VHD and take advantage of the Bootable VHD feature in Windows 7 Ultimate.
What’s your take?
Are you running Windows 7 Home Premium? Would you like to set up a Windows 7/Windows 8 dual boot system using a VHD? Will you take advantage of Windows Anytime Upgrade to move from Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate? As always, if you have comments or information to share about this topic, please take a moment to drop by the TechRepublic Community Forums and let us hear from you.
To upgrade from one edition of Windows 7 to another edition of Windows 7, use Windows Anytime Upgrade. On your PC, open Windows Anytime Upgrade by clicking the Start button, typing Windows Anytime Upgrade in the search box, and then clicking Windows Anytime Upgrade in the list of results. You will be presented with a screen offering 2 options, one of them suggesting you have a valid Windows Anytime Upgrade key.
Once the key has been copied into the appropriate field, it will be verified by MS and the upgrade process will take place. The whole process actually doesn’t last longer than 10 minutes, your computer will reboot once or twice. Upon restart, you will notice it now runs a genuine higher version of Windows 7.
* You can use Windows Anytime Upgrade to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows 7 to a 32-bit version of Windows 7 and from a 64-bit version of Windows 7 to a 64-bit version of Windows 7, but you can’t upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows 7 to a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or vice versa.
* Windows Anytime Upgrade isn’t available in all editions of Windows 7 – obviously not in Ultimate version.
Howto ------ Click the Start button, type Windows Anytime Upgrade in the search box, and then clicking Windows Anytime Upgrade in the list of results. You will be presented with a screen offering 2 options, one of them suggesting you have a valid Windows Anytime Upgrade key. Once the key has been copied into the appropriate field, it will be verified by MS and the upgrade process will take place. The whole process actually doesn't last longer than 10 minutes, your computer will reboot once or twice. Upon restart, you will notice it now runs a Genuine higher version of Windows 7 ! Keys are not brand specific. Any key will work for any oem manufacturer. Online PID checker by Freestyler: http://d-fault.nl/pidcheck/ Updated: 10-04-2010 Unknown Home Prem: XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00202 Unknown Pro: XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00101 Kraftway Pro: XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00158 STARTER (OEM-8992752) (OEM-8992707) ===================== RDJXR-3M32B-FJT32-QMPGB-GCFF6 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30004 --- ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD 6K6WB-X73TD-KG794-FJYHG-YCJVG --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30005 --- ASUS (Eee) 6PB94-MC2C6-4F37H-KTJ32-PF2PT --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00097 --- CASPERERA 36Q3Y-BBT84-MGJ3H-FT7VD-FG72J --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00082 --- DELL 4FRH4-WQDGJ-M9HRY-K73D8-RGT3C --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00228 --- EXPER RH98C-M9PW4-6DHR7-X99PJ-3FGDB --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30008 --- HP PMXH9-M23P9-QJJMB-2FWRC-7CDKP --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30007 --- FUJITSU 273P4-GQ8V6-97YYM-9YTHF-DC2VP --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30169 --- LENOVO/IBM 22P26-HD8YH-RD96C-28R8J-DCT28 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00153 --- LENOVO/IBM 2K8WH-JVQDM-C9HVC-YR2XC-8M76G --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30065 --- MEDION 2W4DJ-JFFJV-DMCPP-2C3X8-883DP --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00121 --- MSI 2YKPV-BFXFW-X8GJQ-9KQFF-KCXGD --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30271 --- MSI 2XGHP-9TQK2-8CF28-BM2P2-8FRX8 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30269 --- NOKIA 344HQ-3YHDT-C7VCT-BDPBV-4KTR3 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00192 --- OLIDATA PV9BD-YBRX6-CTMG6-CCMJY-X8XG7 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30013 --- SAMSUNG 32J2V-TGQCY-9QJXP-Q3FVT-X8BQ7 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00016 --- SONY TGBKB-9KBGJ-3Y3J6-K8M2F-J2HJQ --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30015 --- TOSHIBA 7W842-2HCPJ-BC3MJ-B79K6-TD2HQ --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30214 --- VILIV 32TF3-PT6YV-V6GCK-RR8GM-VM4QG --- XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00180 --- ????? HOME BASIC (OEM-8992752) ===================== MB4HF-2Q8V3-W88WR-K7287-2H4CP --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50004 --- ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD 89G97-VYHYT-Y6G8H-PJXV6-77GQM --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50005 --- ASUS 36T88-RT7C6-R38TQ-RV8M9-WWTCY --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50258 --- DELL 8W3JQ-BP2HY-F47QX-6CQ94-2BKQB --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50007 --- FUJITSU DX8R9-BVCGB-PPKRR-8J7T4-TJHTH --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50008 --- HP 22MFQ-HDH7V-RBV79-QMVK9-PTMXQ --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50213 --- LENOVO/IBM 2P6PB-G7YVY-W46VJ-BXJ36-PGGTG --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50013 --- SAMSUNG YV7QQ-RCXQ9-KTBHC-YX3FG-FKRW8 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50014 --- SONY 9DBMT-GXRWM-6Q9Y3-WMYM8-FJCBW --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50165 --- TONGFANG 9H4FH-VD69Y-TGBD2-4PM4K-DRMMH --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50015 --- TOSHIBA 2TY7W-H4DD4-MB62F-BD9C3-88TM6 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50179 --- ????? 2Q4QP-8P4MD-47YBP-7TXX9-FKDRM --- XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50229 --- ????? HOME PREM (OEM-8992687) ===================== VQB3X-Q3KP8-WJ2H8-R6B6D-7QJB7 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00006 --- ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD 38JTJ-VBPFW-XFQDR-PJ794-8447M --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00304 --- ADVENT V3Y2W-CMF9W-PGT9C-777KD-32W74 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00008 --- ALIENWARE 2QDBX-9T8HR-2QWT6-HCQXJ-9YQTR --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00007 --- ASUS 7JQWQ-K6KWQ-BJD6C-K3YVH-DVQJG --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00118 --- ASUS (Eee) 6RBBT-F8VPQ-QCPVQ-KHRB8-RMV82 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00095 --- DELL 83K3W-QH8JT-T7KBY-9FQB6-V9R8H --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00191 --- DELL C6MHH-TRRPT-74TDC-FHRMV-XB88W --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00009 --- FUJITSU 39QDH-D7MHH-WDMTD-TM2R9-KM7DB --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00258 --- HCL 4FG99-BC3HD-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00010 --- HP 27GBM-Y4QQC-JKHXW-D9W83-FJQKD --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00249 --- LENOVO/IBM 38GRR-KMG3D-BTP99-TC9G4-BBDJJ --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00174 --- LG 2P2P9-CM3F8-FTV6P-PC7CX-8TFF7 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00093 --- MEDION 4G3GR-J6JDJ-D96PV-T9B9D-M8X2Q --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00246 --- MSI CQBVJ-9J697-PWB9R-4K7W4-2BT4J --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00015 --- SAMSUNG HWDFB-YVFG4-3TJ7F-Q3WMT-7B6PH --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00138 --- SIRAGON H4JWX-WHKWT-VGV87-C7XPK-CGKHQ --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00016 --- SONY 6B88K-KCCWY-4F8HK-M4P73-W8DQG --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00057 --- TOSHIBA 6GF36-P4HWR-BFF84-6GFC2-BWX77 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00017 --- TOSHIBA C23T3-9F2T2-FPWBM-XYMW2-272J9 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00143 --- VIEWSONIC 2XPWB-Q64BJ-W8CT3-WJTWT-4DQ99 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00267 --- ????? TTJQ7-4PFJC-6JFJ8-B22VD-VXW88 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00013 --- ????? 7K377-DVP2Q-YGWJG-3M3G7-RBCDP --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00194 --- ????? 3743C-T6892-B4PHM-JHFKY-4BB7W --- XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00202 --- ????? PROFESSIONAL (OEM-8992671) ===================== YKHFT-KW986-GK4PY-FDWYH-7TP9F --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00004 --- ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD 4CFBX-7HQ6R-3JYWF-72GXP-4MV6W --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00188 --- ALIENWARE 2WCJK-R8B4Y-CWRF2-TRJKB-PV9HW --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00407 --- ASUS 32KD2-K9CTF-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00524 --- DELL PT9YK-BC2J9-WWYF9-R9DCR-QB9CK --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00007 --- FUJITSU 2QTV2-3CMPP-FQBYK-GRD62-D7XMW --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00501 --- HCL 74T2M-DKDBC-788W3-H689G-6P6GT --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00008 --- HP 32HPJ-4XRDR-424C8-DYQM9-GM768 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00158 --- KRAFTWAY 237XB-GDJ7B-MV8MH-98QJM-24367 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00437 --- LENOVO/IBM 2QGXM-V9W9W-6Q7MR-64C4X-R26CV --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00207 --- LG ? GMJQF-JC7VC-76HMH-M4RKY-V4HX6 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00013 --- SAMSUNG H9M26-6BXJP-XXFCY-7BR4V-24X8J --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00014 --- SONY 7RQGM-4BJBD-GM2YY-R2KTT-43HG8 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00282 --- STEG 2V8P2-QKJWM-4THM3-74PDB-4P2KH --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00137 --- TOSHIBA 6JKVQ-WJTWW-JVPRB-77TGD-2DV7M --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00339 --- WORTMANN 2W3CX-YD4YJ-DF9B2-V27M6-77GMF --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00503 --- ????? BV4Y4-DVXDT-3FC64-X2QR7-DW82M --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00468 --- ????? 6BJ27-DVBFF-VKQC8-7JPQP-TJKYY --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00215 --- ????? 6FWJ7-TDRCV-BYTP3-JWB98-9J64J --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00211 --- ????? W2PMW-T7DBH-YHKRM-DXXF6-KP4KT --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00015 --- ????? 862R9-99CD6-DD6WM-GHDG2-Y8M37 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00205 --- ????? 7QY32-TQCBJ-G7MC8-Y4PGF-7TGB8 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00284 --- ????? 36KXM-JVMP6-88WMK-YCCGV-YFDVX --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00230 --- ????? CRYGF-JG347-QPJKH-BR82M-3MQP3 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00101 --- ????? ULTIMATE (OEM-8992662) ===================== FJGCP-4DFJD-GJY49-VJBQ7-HYRR2 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00006 --- ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD VQ3PY-VRX6D-CBG4J-8C6R2-TCVBD --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00008 --- ALIENWARE 2Y4WT-DHTBF-Q6MMK-KYK6X-VKM6G --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00173 --- ASUS 342DG-6YJR8-X92GV-V7DCV-P4K27 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00400 --- DELL 9CW99-79BBF-D4M3X-9BK9M-4RPH9 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00009 --- FUJITSU MHFPT-8C8M2-V9488-FGM44-2C9T3 --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00010 --- HP 6K2KY-BFH24-PJW6W-9GK29-TMPWP --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00537 --- LENOVO/IBM (Re-released) 49PB6-6BJ6Y-KHGCQ-7DDY6-TF7CD --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00015 --- SAMSUNG YJJYR-666KV-8T4YH-KM9TB-4PY2W --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00016 --- SONY 2WX6M-X2HKM-86X8X-2QD44-F3FGJ --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00481 --- ????? 78FPJ-C8Q77-QV7B8-9MH3V-XXBTK --- XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00366 --- ?????
