What is the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 7 Upgrade?

May 23rd, 2010

windows 7
ERIC W asked:


I am using Windows XP and I am considering getting Windows 7. I have been shopping online and I have found Windows 7 and Windows 7 Upgrade. When I think of an upgrade, I think of it as something to improve something that I already have. Is this the case with Windows 7 Upgrade? Is it an improvement on Windows 7? If so, why hasn’t the upgrade been integrated with the Windows 7 software?

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6 Responses to “What is the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 7 Upgrade?”

  1. tommy Says:
    May 25th, 2010 at 12:51 am

    Windows 7 Upgrade is a upgrade of the previous version of windows to the current version of windows.

    Windows 7 is a full re-install of an OS.

  2. Mark M Says:
    May 28th, 2010 at 2:45 am

    Windows 7 Upgrade is for people who are already running Windows XP or Windows Vista and want to upgrade to Windows 7. It is less costly than the full version of Windows 7, but you must already have a legal license for XP or Vista. (Note: Only Vista allows you to perform a true upgrade, with XP you can use the upgrade license but you have to wipe your existing Windows installation out during the install procedure).

    Regular Windows 7 is for a new installation on a PC without any prior Windows license.

  3. Jacob Says:
    May 28th, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    If you fancy keeping your files and settings, get the upgrade.

  4. ryanz4 Says:
    May 30th, 2010 at 4:03 am

    The only difference is that you must have a copy of XP or Vista installed for the upgrade.
    Which means if you ever need to reinstall Windows 7 using the upgrade, I think you need to reinstall XP or Vista or at least have the product key on hand for the previous OS.

    Because I tend to reinstall often, I spent the extra money and went with the non-upgrade. Makes things easier for me. However for most people the upgrade is just fine.

    *note* Only people with Vista can officially “upgrade” to 7. You’ll need to do a clean install coming from XP.

  5. tim@q3dimensions.com Says:
    June 1st, 2010 at 7:16 am

    Full version helps in avoiding dual installation in case of re installation of the OS.
    Upgrade version only costs around two thirds of the price of the original version.

    You will find this article useful:

  6. J Says:
    June 1st, 2010 at 8:19 am

    Upgrade is simply installing on your existing install. The install checks to verify you have a previous version of Windows before you are allowed to continue the install. Sometimes Microsoft will give you a discounted update from one version to another, but you have to prove you have the previous version usually a install CD will be proof enough. A full version does not require you to have previously owned any version of Windows before it lets you install.
    In the case of Windows 7 they probably require you to have owned a qualifying version of Windows Vista from participating manufactures. See info below.

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