vista coming to end of life?

with vista coming to end of life what is best method to move up to windows 7 as cannot find a genuine license for windows seven anywhere online and dont really want to move to 8.1 or 10 is upgrade a viable option (would prefer clean install)


thanks

Newegg still has some OEM copies but those can only ever be used on one computer unless you buy the more expensive 3 pack. Buy Microsoft Windows Ultimate, Professional, Home & More - Newegg.com The only other way to get a viable license for 7 would be to buy it from someone who already has one. You can check ebay for example however watch out for open boxes because the license may already be in use and not activate.

hi thanks for reply. i have never done an upgrade is it worth doing an upgrade from vista to seven (what is cost)

and what is involved.

also on the OEM side i have seen available for purchase online OEM license keys that have been used (recycled pc/laptop) so i should steer clear of these then?

You can perform an upgrade but only using certain versions as posted below.

Lottiemansion said:

Hi,

Here are your paths to Windows seven.

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

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Having Vista home premium you would only be able to upgrade to 7 home premium or ultimate. The only licenses on Newegg are for Pro which will require a new install. Here is a tutorial for the upgrade procedure. Upgrade Install with Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums Used OEM keys for only one computer cannot be used by you so stay clear of those. The copies on newegg will be new and unused. As for price you will have to shop around.

hi thanks again for your advice, the oem from new egg are us only im located in uk so will have to look around for that option. on the upgrade side of things will that cost (if so how much )

Ok apparently it isn't available in the UK from newegg but I found some on Amazon from private sellers. Amazon.co.uk: windows 7 It is hard to tell how much you'll pay a private seller. It depends upon the edition, if you get an OEM or retail copy, whether you can find a full version or upgrade only, and whether you get a new or used copy. If you use ebay you will likely be buying in an auction so that makes it impossible to tell you how much you will pay. I just can't answer that question which is why I said that you will have to shop around.

hi thanks again sorry i think i have my wires crossed. my question was does it cost to "upgrade" vista to seven (do i need to purchase a new license key to activate windows 7 during the upgrade process etc or will my current vista licesnse key be used to activate the windows seven upgrade) again sorry for my ignorance i have never used the upgrade option only ever re-installed my current os on this machine using clean install.


thanks again

As I explained there are too many variables to tell you how much it will cost since you aren't buying it from a store or retail website. However you will need a 7 serial number because a Vista serial number is only for Vista.

billybellfoot said:

with vista coming to end of life what is best method to move up to windows 7 as cannot find a genuine license for windows seven anywhere online and dont really want to move to 8.1 or 10 is upgrade a viable option (would prefer clean install)


thanks

Click to expand...

You do realize that you have until April 2017 though right? I know that time will be here before you know it, but still.

I'm hopeful that Server 2008 (original) updates will be able to be applied to Vista past that time. I tried that this week to install Server 2012 updates on Windows 8 (so similar situation as Vista will face) and it worked with aplomb! A couple others have tried it on MSFN with success. So there is indeed hope for Vista.

Jody Thornton said:

You do realize that you have until April 2017 though right? I know that time will be here before you know it, but still.

I'm hopeful that Server 2008 (original) updates will be able to be applied to Vista past that time. I tried that this week to install Server 2012 updates on Windows 8 (so similar situation as Vista will face) and it worked with aplomb! A couple others have tried it on MSFN with success. So there is indeed hope for Vista.

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Well that won't stop third party software manufacturers from stopping support of Vista which as we know some have already done.

If everything is working well maybe just running your computer with Toolwiz Timefreeze or a sandbox would be enough to be safe

townsbg said:

Well that won't stop third party software manufacturers from stopping support of Vista which as we know some have already done.

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yes this is my issue browsers etc are stating support will be stopping soon

thanks again for advice info

Support has only been dropped for Chrome. Firefox is still supported on XP and they haven't announced their intentions on discontinuing support of either but my bet is they stop supporting XP before Vista. Note that not all website support IE 9 anymore.

That's true. If those apps are needed, then upgrading is definitely the way to go (after all, I went to Windows 8 for the same reason)

As well as other software like adobe reader and itunes. That's why if I where to switch to Windows I would at least need a 7 virtual machine but I would probably just put on 7.

townsbg said:

As well as other software like adobe reader and itunes. That's why if I where to switch to Windows I would at least need a 7 virtual machine but I would probably just put on 7.

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Whew! Lucky me. I use Sumatra PDF x64 and Media Player Classic (x64) so I'm covered there.

Jody Thornton said:

You do realize that you have until April 2017 though right? I know that time will be here before you know it, but still.

I'm hopeful that Server 2008 (original) updates will be able to be applied to Vista past that time. I tried that this week to install Server 2012 updates on Windows 8 (so similar situation as Vista will face) and it worked with aplomb! A couple others have tried it on MSFN with success. So there is indeed hope for Vista.

Click to expand...

Yes, but only for one year, sadly. It's like when you mess with the Registry to force XP to download POSReady 2009 and Server 2003 updates, it's easily possible and it works because POSReady is XP SP3 with minor changes.
I wish Vista was loved more... I would probably never put up with Win 7 these days because I can't stand the modern task bar system.

DixieKongJD said:

Yes, but only for one year, sadly. It's like when you mess with the Registry to force XP to download POSReady 2009 and Server 2003 updates, it's easily possible and it works because POSReady is XP SP3 with minor changes.
I wish Vista was loved more... I would probably never put up with Win 7 these days because I can't stand the modern task bar system.

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No, no. Windows Server 2012 updates were applied to Windows 8 WITHOUT ANY MODIFICATIONS. I just downloaded them, and installed them. That's it. Windows 2003 Updates were able to be applied to Windows XP x64 Edition just the same way. So very likely, Windows Server 2008 updates will be usable right up to January 2020. We'll have to wait and see, but it should work given the indicators we already have.

I'm with you on the Windows taskbar on Vista. I set up Windows 8 to be the exact same way. I don't group apps, and I have the small icons and labels, so that the taskbar is the same height. And I've restored Quick Launch. I really do have a soft spot for Vista though.

As for myself, I have resolved that my PC will be among the last Vista systems to perish from the earth! (I will buy a second computer in about 6 months, but that's another matter.)

As mentioned above, software vendors are doing more to hasten Vista's demise than Microsoft. It's tempting to speculate about secret deals: "If you want your software to run on Windows 10, then end support for XP and Vista." One flaw with that theory is that iTunes can barely be installed on Win10 even though Apple has given XP and Vista the boot - but perhaps Microsoft regarded iTunes 12.1.3 as a violation of their agreement? Then again, perhaps Apple just isn't very good at writing software for Windows. Of course iTunes is not indispensable as playback software (if you don't like WMP, try VLC), but Apple mobile devices are very popular and iTunes seems to be required for backing up and syncing them (I don't own an Apple device myself).

And now Google has become Vista's new worst enemy. There are now 6,000 comments at Google Chrome Blog: Updates to Chrome platform support (caution: rated PG-13 for language).

I've been thinking about starting an informational thread in the Software subforum regarding software that no longer supports Vista, although the topic is getting rather depressing. I've recently been checking the system requirements of antivirus products, and find that the choices for XP and Vista are beginning to narrow there also. Of course Avira ended support for Vista in 2013. The 2016 version of McAfee has dropped support, whereas Bitdefender has relegated XP and Vista to a special version: Bitdefender Security for Windows XP and Vista. When Microsoft ended support for XP, they blocked downloads of MSE (so XP never got the improved MSE 4.8), however XP users were allowed to get definition updates for another year.

Vistaar said:

I've been thinking about starting an informational thread in the Software subforum regarding software that no longer supports Vista, although the topic is getting rather depressing.

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That sounds like a good idea to me. iTunes is required for backing up and syncing of data on itunes and ipod touch although supposedly other models can use other software that probably isn't supported by Apple. It looks like the latest version works on 12.1 but I'm not certain on that. Even if it is they will eventually change the requirements.